Something new is happening at Simpson University, and you can hear it.
This fall, Simpson welcomed Michael Yelverton as its new Director of Bands. His goal is big: to build a marching band that becomes “the pride of the mountain.” And he’s starting from scratch.
“When I came to Simpson for the first time, I started with nothing,” Yelverton said.
There were no horn players, and nobody knew where to find them. So Yelverton went looking. He asked around campus and found five students. Only one of them had ever played.
“Within three weeks I taught five students a whole jazz set,” Yelverton said.
That’s how it started. Here’s where it’s headed, and how you can be part of it.
Meet Michael Yelverton
Yelverton is from Goldsboro, North Carolina, and this is his first year at Simpson. As Director of Bands, he leads the Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. He’s also working on his doctorate.
For him, music is about more than notes on a page.
“I am here to also give God praise through music,” he said. “I am also using this opportunity to create something that is going to last a lifetime here at Simpson, and that is going to be our marching band program.”
What Band Opportunities Are Available?
Simpson has a place for musicians at every level, from seasoned players to people who have never held an instrument:
- Jazz Band: Currently has 11 members and is growing
- Concert Band
- Wind Ensemble: The long-term hope is to grow it into an orchestra
- Beginning Band: new this semester, for students who want to learn from the ground up
Together, these ensembles will form the Simpson University Marching Band.
The Beginning Band is already catching on. Students are asking about joining next semester.
You Don’t Have to Be a Music Major
This is a band for everyone.
“If you are a nursing major, you can still march in the marching band. If you are a psychology major, you can march in the marching band,” Yelverton said. “It’s not just for marching band students or music majors.”
The program will soon open to the wider community too.
“We don’t want to be a music program that’s just built for in-house,” he said.
Bringing the Energy
Simpson University students are predominantly athletes, with games on the schedule nearly every week. A marching band would raise the energy at those events for athletes and fans alike as Simpson continues to grow and expand the college experience for everyone.
However, Yelverton doesn’t plan to keep the band on the sidelines. He wants to share its talents with the community. Picture a collegiate marching band leading a parade or performing at a big community event. Once more students join to help the band grow, Yelverton and his band will be ready to bring that kind of excitement to the North State.
Instruments You Can Play
- Woodwinds: flute, clarinet, and alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone
- Brass: trumpet, French horn, marching mellophone, marching baritone, concert euphonium, trombone, tuba, and sousaphone
- Percussion: snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, tenor drums/quads, and other concert and marching percussion
More Than Just Band
Walk into the band room, and you’ll feel it. It’s where the group prays, worships, and plays together.
“That’s where my happiness comes from,” Yelverton said. “It’s more than just band. Spiritually, it opens you up and gives you something to look forward to.”
The Goal: 100 Musicians
Yelverton is recruiting now, and he’s aiming for 100 band members.
“I am excited. I love what I do,” he said. “It’s going to take me some years to do it, but as long as we have the support from the community, it’s going to make that recruiting a little bit easier.”
How You Can Help: Donate an Instrument
Here’s the challenge: students need something to play.
“If you build it, they will come,” Yelverton said. “If there are ten trumpet players, those ten trumpet players need horns. But if we already have ten trumpets sitting there in the box waiting, those students are going to come just like that.”
Instruments we need most:
- Trumpets
- Trombones
- Saxophones
- Tubas and sousaphones
- Marching snare drums
- Marching bass drums
- Cymbals
- Marching tenor drums/quads
That trumpet sitting in your closet could put a student in the band, help them grow their talent, and make them part of something special.
“We are asking people to donate because it’s early for us,” Yelverton said. “It’s the beginning of something.”
Be Part of the Beginning
Yelverton believes this is a story worth telling from the very first note.
“I think we should document the beginning and just how big this is going to get, because I see it happening,” he said. “The pride of the mountain.”
Want to join the band or donate an instrument? Contact Michael Yelverton at Myelverton@simpsonu.edu.
