Today's bands are developing in many different directions. Mines' marching band uniform of red and black plaid shirts, blue jeans, boots and hard hats presents a unique image among university marching bands. The marching band plays at all home football games, one away game per year, marches in a number of parades and is often called upon for special performances during the fall semester. Home games at which the band will perform in 1998 will be September 12, September 19, October 10, October 17 and November 14. During the spring semester, band members trade in their drill routines for the concert hall.
Pep bands play at basketball games and wrestling meets.
Mines Little Theater stages a musical every spring and members of the band can be found comprising the pit orchestra. Under the direction of Ross McClure , over 100 students participate in the bands and band activities. At Mines, the bands serve as a relief valve, allowing students a structured activity far removed from the rigors of the classroom. While allowing students to have fun and let off steam, the focus on the music is as serious as any other part of the Mines' curriculum. Students are encouraged to improve their musicianship and become more adept in performance.