St. Ambrose University reported that Matthew Winarski, DMA, has assumed leadership of the Fighting Bee Marching Band with a focus on cultivating community and developing student leaders. Winarski brings over a decade of experience to the program, emphasizing that treating the ensemble as a family drives both musical excellence and personal growth among students.
The university noted Winarski’s admiration for the energy surrounding the decade-old program, comparing its local impact to established traditions. He prioritizes expanding the ensemble’s reach beyond campus, citing a recent performance at the Rock Island Showcase where students connected professionally with local high school musicians. This approach aims to demonstrate student hard work to regional audiences.
According to St. Ambrose University, the director implemented a Community of Respect framework, originally developed at North Dakota State University, to guide group operations. This system empowers students to define shared values, ensuring consistent respect for all members regardless of instrument or tenure. The institution highlighted how this culture encourages students to balance marching band with other activities like athletics, fostering unique individual development. Furthermore, Winarski taught students to view mistakes as opportunities for analysis rather than failure, a perspective that helped the ensemble navigate challenges during gaps in the football schedule.
For more information, visit sau.edu.