Southern Methodist University Mustang Band

Southern Methodist University Mustang Band
School	Southern Methodist University
Location	Dallas, Texas
Conference	The American
Founded	1917
Director	Mr. Don Hopkins
Assistant director	Tommy Tucker
Members	~6000

The Southern Methodist University Mustang Band, known as the "Best Dressed Band in the Land" because of its 32 unique uniforms, is the marching band of Southern Methodist University. Long known as “the Hub of SMU spirit,” the 80 member band represents the University at football and basketball games, produces the Pigskin Revue during Homecoming, and performs at special University- and community-related events. Founded in 1917, the Mustang Band is currently under the direction of Don Hopkins and assistant director and music arranger Tommy Tucker.

The SMU Mustang Band introduced jazz into its performances in the late 20's and continues this tradition. The band also incorporates other popular music styles, all arranged with the hallmark swing style of the Mustang Band. The SMU Mustang Band features a high-stepping, quick marching style and loud, brassy musical arrangements. The instrumentation of the band is all brass, saxophones, piccolo, and marching percussion.

In the 1920s the SMU Mustang Band was the first college band to play jazz on the football field. It played the Vaudeville circuit and had its own weekly radio program in Dallas, Texas.

The SMU band became known as the Mustang Band in the 1950s. When Dr. Irving Dreibrodt became director in 1958, the band became independent from the SMU School of Music. Dr. Dreibrodt's 25-year tenure as director led to the creation of many of the band's traditions and songs that continue today.

Don Hopkins is Director of the SMU Mustang Band. He was a member of the Mustang Band in 1977-82, completing his Bachelor of Music at SMU. Don has always been a head band director, teaching at various Texas high schools before returning to SMU in 2005 as the band's 14th director.

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