Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

Justin Mertz to Conclude Service as Director of Syracuse University’s Athletic Bands

Thursday, January 26, 2017, By Erica Blust
Share
campus and communityfaculty and staff
head shot

Justin Mertz

After more than 11 years as director of Syracuse University’s athletic bands—including the 200-member Pride of the Orange Marching Band—Justin Mertz ’01, G’03 has announced that he will depart the University to become the associate director of bands at the University of Northern Iowa. There, he will lead the Panther Marching Band, among other duties. Mertz, who also serves as assistant director of University Bands in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music, will conclude his time at Syracuse at the end of June.

“As the leader of our athletic bands, Justin was not only responsible for the guidance and well-being of our student musicians but the spirit of all of us who cheer on the Orange. We’re grateful for his service,” says Michael S. Tick, dean of VPA. “As an alumnus, he will always be part of the Syracuse University family, and we wish him well in his new position at Northern Iowa.”

The Pride of the Orange Marching Band performs for all home football games in the Carrier Dome and is the focal point of pregame pep rallies on the Quad. The band traditionally travels to continental post-season bowl games, most recently the 2013 Texas Bowl in Houston.

“I traveled with the Pride to the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl, and though the temperatures were frigid, Justin and the band were well-organized and kept our spirits warm,” says Martha Sutter, director of the Setnor School. “I know I speak on behalf of the entire Setnor School of Music when I say that Justin will be missed for his leadership abilities, his enthusiasm and his passion for Syracuse University.”

Under Mertz’s leadership, the Pride also performed on the field as part of Super Bowl XLVIII pregame festivities at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and at the 77th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Gala in 2012. In 2015, Mertz and the band were invited to perform in the 31st annual London’s New Year’s Day Parade and Festival by City of Westminster Past Lord Mayor Catherine Longworth, senior patron of the parade and festival, at a ceremony in the Carrier Dome.

“Working with the amazing students and staff of the Syracuse University Marching Band has been an honor,” says Mertz. “I will truly miss them.”

In addition to directing Syracuse University’s athletic bands, Mertz is co-conductor of the Wind Ensemble and conductor of the Concert Band. He holds bachelor of music and master of music degrees in music education from the Setnor School and the School of Education.

The University will launch a national search for a new director of athletic bands immediately.

  • Author

Erica Blust

  • Recent
  • ‘Democracy on Trial: Can We Save It?’
    Friday, January 22, 2021, By News Staff
  • COVID-19 Update: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
    Friday, January 22, 2021, By News Staff
  • Future of News Production the Focus of NSF Planning Grant
    Thursday, January 21, 2021, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • College of Law Adds Vincent H. Cohen ’92, L’95 to Board of Advisors
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Martin Walls
  • Students Invited to Network and Skill-Build with Alumni
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Gabrielle Lake

More In Arts & Culture

Sound Beat: Access Audio Offering Children’s Audiobooks about Enslaved People by Cheryl Wills ’89

Sound Beat: Access Audio is providing two free family audiobooks written by Emmy Award-winning journalist Cheryl Wills ’89,  the great-great-great granddaughter of Emma and Sandy Wills, enslaved people from Haywood, Tennessee. The audiobooks are narrated by the author and are…

Syracuse Stage Announces Changes to the 2020/2021 Season

Syracuse Stage announced adjustments to the schedule for the remainder of the 2020/2021 season. These adjustments include replacing previously announced shows with new titles and come in direct response to the evolving situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in February,…

College of Visual and Performing Arts Flexes Creative Muscle to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic

“Visual and Performing Arts students wouldn’t have a reason to be here if they couldn’t sing or hold an instrument or act onstage or spend time in the studio.  The arts are a social activity, not something that lends itself…

Special Collections Research Center Receives Grant to Process Forrest J. Ackerman Papers

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation is providing Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) with a $17,000 grant to process the Forrest J. Ackerman Papers. Ackerman was a popular American science fiction author, editor, agent, collector and fan. His…

Architecture Students Help Design Street Renovation Project in China

Since April 2020, a team of students from the School of Architecture have been working on a master plan to transform a street scape in the future city of Xiong’an New Area in China’s Hebei province. After a long delay…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.