Member Spotlight – Riley Kirwan (Winds)
“Some of my best friends here at UNC Charlotte are in the marching band, and if I didn’t have this band I probably would have never met them.” |
Riley Kirwan is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in music education. He hopes to teach middle school band after college and eventually work toward achieving a master’s degree in music. This is Riley’s second year with the PNNMB and he plays the baritone. He grew up in Matthews, NC and graduated from David W. Butler High School.
Riley started his marching career with the Butler High School Marching Bulldogs, under the direction of Mr. Joshua Stevenson. He spent all four of his high school years in the marching band, serving as baritone section leader his sophomore year, and as hornline captain his junior and senior years. In addition to marching with the Bulldogs, Riley spent the 2015, 2016 and 2017 summers marching with the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. He plans on returning to Crown for the 2018 season. His favorite aspect of marching band is performing for thousands of people and giving them a great show. Outside of marching band, Riley loves having fun with his friends around campus.
Here’s what Riley has to say about the PNNMB:
“The PNNMB has let me meet so many people. Some of my best friends here at UNC Charlotte are in the marching band, and if I didn’t have this band I probably would have never met them. Nothing beats coming out on football Saturdays with my friends to root on the team and play some great music for the fans. I love being a part of something that allows me to represent UNC Charlotte the way the band does.”
By Dr. Chesley Black, Student Leadership Program & Media Director