Kenzie Taylor directs the Argo Marching Band. Picture by Madison DeVito.
“Four!”
Senior music performance major and flute player Kenzie Taylor’s voice echoes over the bleachers at Pen Air Field. The University of West Florida Argo Marching Band snaps to attention, instruments blaring in response to Taylor’s command.
As a drum major, Taylor leads her section during shows and football games. Her counterpart, Aster Roest, also a drum major and flute player, manages the other half of the band. Both conduct their sections in unison to ensure a flawless performance. The band has nearly doubled in size since last year, thanks to the new band director, Dr. Sean Kelley.
Drum major and flute player Aster Roest. Picture by Madison DeVito.
Dr. Kelley, who joined UWF this year, worked over the summer to strengthen relationships with local band programs. “I was working on shoring up our relationship with the area band programs,” Kelley said. “Once that was more stabilized, they were willing to provide contact to students at UWF that they knew were in band, so I was able to call and do some recruiting.”
The band now boasts 80 members, with only a few returning students. While Kelley is pleased with the current size, he aims to grow the band to over 100 members. “My goal is to continue building relationships in the area to achieve this,” Kelley said.
Before coming to UWF, Kelley was at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where he built the marching band from scratch and led them to four National Championships. However, he sought new opportunities due to North Central’s financial struggles and declining enrollment. “The opportunity to move to a growing state with a burgeoning population and be in a regional hub, which UWF is, was an attractive move and a step up career-wise,” Kelley said.
Band director Dr. Sean Kelley. Picture by Madison DeVito.
Despite the usual pre-game nerves, Kelley expressed confidence in his team. “My job is done,” he said, noting his trust in the band’s abilities. Band captain Clyde Santos, who plays the clarinet and reports to Taylor and Roest, emphasized the band’s role in boosting school spirit. Santos highlighted the inclusion of non-music majors, thanks to new scholarships available for the 2024 school year.
The Argo Marching Band delivered a stellar performance during UWF’s first game of the season against McKendree University. Their halftime show, titled “Rocking Through the Ages,” went off without a hitch, leaving Kelley beaming with pride.
