The University of Connecticut marching band has its first ever female band director, a major milestone in its 130-year history.
New Director of Athletic Bands Jessica Dickerson was appointed to her new position in August. Her appointment was not something she anticipated or pursued, Dickerson said.
“My colleagues put me forward based on their trust in my leadership and my long investment in this program and UConn,” she said. “Their support has been overwhelming and I’m so grateful to work alongside them here in the School of Fine Arts.”
Dickerson came to UConn in 2007 as a music major. During her undergraduate years, she served as a section leader, band captain and drum major in the marching band. Through these roles, Dickerson said she thought seriously about leadership, audience connection, community outreach and organizational culture. This period also saw tremendous growth in the band, she said.
“The band expanded its national presence through performances at historic stadiums like Michigan and Notre Dame and four consecutive football bowl appearances, including the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, all under the direction of Dr. David Mills,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson would return to UConn as a graduate assistant director while completing her master’s degree. She mentored undergraduate leaders and participated in post-season travel opportunities, made possible by the success of the men’s and women’s basketball programs, Dickerson said.
Dickerson was hired as an assistant director of bands in 2016, later becoming an associate director.
“My time at UConn has changed the trajectory of my life, so being entrusted with this next chapter of our band’s story is an extraordinary honor and a responsibility I take seriously,” she said.
Dickerson said being the first female band director is meaningful to her, and she’s glad that young women can see someone like her in this role. Dickerson, a mother of three children, said motherhood has built on the way she thinks about leadership, making her more self-aware and engaged both at campus and home.
“Leading in both spaces is incredibly demanding, but I genuinely believe each is making me better at the other,” Dickerson said. “Being a college band director is making me a more thoughtful and patient mom, and being a mom is making me a more thoughtful and intentional director.”
Dickerson said she applies that thoughtful intention into the decades-old band motto: Talent, Unity and Pride. To preserve the tradition, students must think about what those words require of the band, she said. Talent is shown through consistent effort, unity is about commitment and pride is felt in what they give back.
“I’m proud of the culture of our band after just a few short weeks together,” Dickerson said. “We’re taking every opportunity to celebrate our successes this season and to be thoughtful about holding each other to high standards in the process.”
Besides her impact on the motto, band members reflected on how Dickerson influences the band.
“She knows this program in and out and knows what’s best for it,” Carter Bonura, a seventh-semester student and operation officer for the band, said. “Even though it’s her first year, I know a lot of the band members already see a pathway to a great band for the future.”
Dickerson also spearheaded the preparation of the band’s upcoming performances and their new uniforms.
Dickerson said the performances will feature music from powerful women like Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Dolly Parton, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and more. One of their performances will be at the 100th Macy’s Day Parade this Thanksgiving.
“I think our show this year reveals how versatile we are as a band while also showing how impactful women are to the music industry,” Anthony Cavaliere, a third-semester student and trombone player, said. “It means a lot to be able to honor people who have done so much for so many.”
The performances are not the only exciting development for the band — they got new uniforms after 17 years.
“The new uniforms are a great look for the future of the marching band,” Cavaliere said. “They pay respects to the past generations while also bringing us into a new era.”
The uniforms resemble the old ones but have new features like a “Pride of Connecticut” patch, “UConn” in different areas across the uniform and a “C” patch on the arm. Dickerson said she thought about creating something special for both current members and alumni when designing the uniforms last spring.
“Something that felt unmistakenly new while still belonging to the history of the UConn band,” she said. “Something our current members take pride in when they put them on, but also that inspires our alumni to reflect on their investment and experience when they see the band step out on the field.”
The uniforms will debut at the UConn vs. Syracuse football game at Rentschler Field on Saturday. The band also will play part of their new field show.