Boise State Bands

05/30/2026

Boise State Bands is pleased to welcome Tyler White as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for concert bands while he pursues a Master of Music degree in Music Education.

"I am excited to join the Boise State music program this fall," White said. "From the ensembles to the classrooms, I look forward to learning together with faculty and fellow students."

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Boise State Department of Music, Blue Thunder Marching Band,

05/27/2026

On today’s member spotlight, we are featuring Wren Hartman! Wren is from Boise, Idaho, and attended Capital High School. They perform on the bass trombone and are pursuing a degree in music education with a minor in urban studies.

Wren is an active participant in several of the ensembles that Boise State has to offer! A fun fact about Wren is that they are an avid bowler and have been to nationals twice!

See the upcoming events from the Boise State Department of Music:
https://www.boisestate.edu/music/events/

05/20/2026

For today’s member spotlight, we would like to feature Kitchen Sanderson! Kitchen is from Boise, Idaho and attended Borah High School. He is pursuing a degree in Music Education.

“I most enjoyed meeting all my new friends from this past year! I can’t wait to make more!”

See the upcoming events from the Boise State Department of Music:
https://www.boisestate.edu/music/events/

05/14/2026

Band students entering grades 7–12, join us!

Ready to take your skills to the next level? Join Boise State Music’s Wind Band Summer Camp, June 8–12, 2026, and learn from nationally and regionally recognized guest clinicians, alongside our world‑class Boise State Music faculty!

Open to students entering grades 7–12 with at least one year of experience on a traditional band instrument. From instrument‑specific instruction to woodwind, brass, percussion, and full concert ensembles—it’s your chance to shine.

🗓️ Register by June 1, 2026
💸 Multi‑student and multi‑camp discounts available
🔗 boisestate.edu/music-camps/windbandsummercamp

05/13/2026

We are delighted to feature Eric Axtell on today’s member spotlight! Eric is a trombone performer from Bothell, Washington and attended North Creek High School. He is currently working towards a music education degree as well as a minor in creative writing.

“I’m looking forward to the Blue Thunder Marching Band’s next season! The band's gonna be great once again and I look forward to inviting the new incoming members!

See the upcoming events from the Boise State Department of Music:
https://www.boisestate.edu/music/events/

05/08/2026

We extend a special congratulations to Justin Granados, our Boise State Bands graduate assistant, for his new position as Director of Bands at Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho for the 2026–2027 school year!

“I am in the extremely fortunate position to be able to give back to the high school program that I worked through as a student," says Granados. "The faculty and students at Timberline are some of the kindest I have encountered; their love and support for the arts is outstanding. I will serve my position to the fullest extent to continue the consistent excellence and strong community the school inspires. Go Wolves!”

During his year at Boise State, Justin shared his passion for music education with his peers in and outside the classroom. He has remained an active member of the Boise music community through his studies, performance, and academic discourse with community members. We wish him the best of luck in his new position!

05/06/2026

As we wrap up another eventful semester at Boise State, we give our heartfelt congratulations to John Blakely who served as one of the graduate assistants for the Blue Thunder Marching Band and will be graduating with a masters of music in music education this Spring.

His thesis "Programming James M. David: An Educator’s Guide to Pale Blue Dot, With Soul Serene, and My Lyre Within the Sky," will be an excellent resource for music educators.

During his two years at Boise State, John has been a positive force in the trumpet studio and has provided support to all his peers with Boise State Bands. His compassion and commitment to artistic music making is a core component of his personality. We wish him the best as he ventures off into the workforce. We look forward to seeing his success!

04/29/2026

We would like to feature Charley Beebe on today’s member spotlight! Charley attended Boise High School out of Boise, Idaho and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Spanish.

“I loved getting to travel six different times with the Blue Thunder and play at Treefort with BJO! I also got to play my saxophone in a jazz orchestra while I studied abroad.”

See the upcoming events from the Boise State Department of Music:
https://www.boisestate.edu/music/events/

04/22/2026

We are delighted to feature our Boise State Bands Graduate Assistant, Justin Granados! Justin was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. He attended Timberline High School and went on to receive a bachelor of music degree in music education from Boise State and has returned to pursue a master of music degree in music education.

Justin is passionate about sharing music with the community and strives to provide excellent education in public schools. He works to provide a student-oriented environment and hopes to motivate each student he works with to embrace the beauty in all music.

See the upcoming events from the Boise State Department of Music:
https://www.boisestate.edu/music/events/

04/15/2026

We would like to offer a special congratulations to our graduating Symphonic Winds members on their final performance with the ensemble this previous week! They have excelled and reached outstanding levels of musicianship and we are proud to have supported them during their time at Boise State! We eagerly await their next step in their journey and wish them all the best!

Pictured from left to right: Sean Pogue, John Blakely, Brenden Williams, Shane Stroud, James Ernst, Maggie Burke, Emily Newton.

04/07/2026

Join Symphonic Winds and All Campus Concert Band on Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. for an evening of "Myths & Legends."

Composers include: David, Piunno, de Meij, Biedenbender, Dunlap, Nelhybel, Grøndahl, and Grainger.

See you there!

Boise State University, Boise State Department of Music, Blue Thunder Marching Band, Boise State Alumni and Friends