Since blowing his first shaky notes on a trumpet in middle school, Dennis Senkbeil knew music would be a central part of the rest of his life.
Now, he will have the opportunity to share that passion with a new generation of young musicians as SU’s first marching band director in more than four decades.
Selected following a national search, Senkbeil was selected to restart the marching band program, initially active at SU from 1972-1982. He also will lead the SU Pep Band beginning at athletics games and direct the Salisbury Pops.
The new Sea Gull Marching Band is expected to take the field for the first time in fall 2025, helping to mark the University’s 100th anniversary.
“A marching band and academic pep band program will add to the celebratory atmosphere of varsity games on campus and bring back an experience Sea Gull fans have been missing for over 40 years,” said Dr. Maarten Pereboom, dean of the Fulton School of Liberal Arts, home to the University’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department, which will include the marching and pep band programs, and which has served as the home of the Salisbury Pops.
The program also is expected to attract prospective students who may have participated in their high school marching bands and see a continuation of that as integral to their college experience.
“Musicians playing together experience a special sense of belonging themselves, while enhancing the community around them,” said Pereboom. “The opportunity to perform music at the collegiate level with their peers is something many incoming students seek. These programs will expand those opportunities at SU.”
Senkbeil comes to SU from the University of Arizona (UA), where he served as an instructor of music and assistant instructor of ensembles including the Pride of Arizona marching and pep bands, as well as the university’s wind symphony and wind ensemble. At SU, he is excited to continue that variety of musical experiences.
Know a future or current Sea Gull who would be interested in the Marching Band? Reach out to Senkbeil to learn more: djsenkbeil@salisbury.edu
“Not many jobs allow you to do so many different things,” he said. “I’m looking forward to investing my talents in all those areas.”
In his new position, he hopes to introduce new elements to both the stage and field.
“My goal is that the concert experience will be different than what the audience has seen in the past,” he said of the Salisbury Pops.
As for the forthcoming marching band: “It’s an outlet for community engagement that also will allow our students to stay involved in music,” he said. “Marching band is not the major, but there’s something about it that attracts students and helps bring them together. Once they experience it, they keep coming back.”
Senkbeil is no stranger to the Delmarva Peninsula. A native of Hebron, MD, he began his musical journey learning to play trumpet with the local Salvation Army band at age 9, followed by his first academic music experience at Westside Intermediate School. As a student, he learned from esteemed local musicians and band directors including Melvin Harris and Cory Boltz.
He earned his B.S. in music education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2011 and served as the choral director and a music teacher at Salisbury Middle School from 2018-2022. During that time, he was nominated as Wicomico County Teacher of the Year.
He also was nominated as a county teacher of the year in his previous position as a music teacher with St. David Unified School District No. 21 in Arizona from 2012-2016.
“I always had an interest in education,” he said. “My career has allowed me to combine that with my interest in music and pass that along to others.”
Senkbeil received his M.Ed. in music education studies from the University of Arizona, where he currently is pursuing a D.M.A. in wind band conducting.
Marching band photos from 1975 Evergreen yearbook