Starting this fall, a new face will represent the Hawkeye Marching Band.

University of Iowa sophomore Isaac Anderson will succeed UI senior Quentin Marquez as the group’s drum major.

Anderson, a music performance major from Davenport, was selected from among six candidates in front of a panel of judges who represent University Bands and Iowa athletics.

He is a member of the Army ROTC, UI drum corps, and a Hawkeye Marching Band trombone player.

Anderson has been playing the trombone since the fifth grade and held the drum-major position at his high school for two years.

“I think it’s exciting becoming the new drum major. We’ve got a lot of potential to move forward,” Anderson said. “The band will get new uniforms next year, and we just got a brand-new facility. There are a lot of good things happening in the Marching Band program to really bring it to another level and put on a great performance for the patrons of Kinnick Stadium.”

Other candidates, as well as Anderson, had months of preparation before the audition date.

“I’m glad to see someone so qualified win the position who demonstrates fantastic leadership abilities,” Marquez said. “It’s a position that takes a while to learn, taking care of the Hawkeye Marching Band and being a leader. I’m very confident that Isaac has the skills to get the Hawkeye Marching Band excited for the next upcoming football season.”

The candidates were judged on their knowledge of traditional drum-major pregame entry, back bend, and flexibility, system of marching fundamentals, showmanship routine, conducting patterns, and a 10-question interview.

Anderson had the top total score in a very close competition, said Kevin Kastens, the director of the Hawkeye Marching Band.

In addition to the Hawkeye Marching Band, Anderson also performs in one of Kastens’ concert bands at the UI, where he was motivated to audition for the position after Kastens had told him that he possessed “excellent leadership potential.”

“With his various experiences in drum corps, Army ROTC, assisting his high-school marching band back home in Davenport, etc., he comes to us with lots of teaching and leadership experience,” Kastens said.

Anderson will fill the position as UI’s drum major until he graduates. With two more years ahead of him as the face of the Hawkeye Marching Band, he wants become approachable and likeable to fellow band members and fans.

“I really want to do my part to help people and make the band better,” he said. “I see it as a service to the band members that I can put in the extra work and time to help them have a better season.”