History
- THE INAUGURAL YEAR: 2006-2007The Spirit of Stony Brook was founded in September 2006 at the request of then-President Shirley Strum Kenny, by a committee chaired by Jerrold Stein (Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs), and included Perry Goldstein (Director of the Undergraduate College of Arts, Culture, and Humanities), Jim Fiore (Athletic Director), and Josh Cheuvront (Graduate Student Assistant). They named John Leddy—a well-known and successful Long Island music educator—to be the first Director of Athletic Bands.A three-day band camp was held September 1-3, 2006, during which twenty courageous and enthusiastic musicians came together and formed an indelible bond. Navneet Singh was selected to be the first Drum Major. They survived rehearsals during the height of Tropical Storm Ernesto, and presented their first public performance to 5,000 incoming freshmen and transfer students at New Student Convocation on September 3.Band uniforms arrived on October 3 and members were quickly fitted over the next two days, in time for the band’s debut performances at Wolfstock 2006—Stony Brook’s Homecoming Weekend—on October 6 and 7. The band performed through Woodstock Village at the Homecoming Parade, and for halftime at the football game.The band grew close and organized a pasta party the night before the final football game on October 28. Their first season formally ended with a banquet held in the Wang Center on November 28, with President Kenny in attendance.
- A YEAR OF GROWTH: 2007-2008Many changes accompanied the band's second year. The season began with its first weeklong band camp, including a two-day retreat for the Leadership Team. The program was proud to open its newly-renovated band area, which had storage for all instruments and uniforms, as well as a lounge and practice space for its members.During the football season, the band performed a pregame show featuring the fanfare from “Ben-Hur,” the Victory Song, and Sandy Shore (alma mater), with the band’s first drill. The band performed two halftime shows over the course of their five home football games—a Blues Brothers show and a Billy Joel show.The band's size more-than-doubled to 70 members in its second season. The program added Jen Bigus as the color guard instructor and Jeffrey Butterfield as the drumline instructor, and included graduate student staff Josh Cheuvront and Shayna Stahl (née Corapi).The band continued to perform at all home men’s and women’s basketball games, and traveled to the America East Tournament for both teams in March. In addition, the band served as the official pep band for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. The band played at all home Dragons games in Nassau Coliseum, and was presented with its first scholarship donation of $25,000.The band's second year was also the band's first to victoriously sail across Roth Pond in the annual Roth Regatta. Immediately following, the band unexpectedly lost a beloved member. Read more about Stephen Stakey, below."So Far, So Fast." President Kenny often used this expression to describe the rapid growth of Stony Brook University and its quick ascension as an elite research university. It also describes the progression of the marching band from the “Original 20" members at the first band camp in August 2006, to its rapid growth in its second year. The program reached an important milestone late in July 2008 when registration reached 100 members.
REMEMBER STEPHEN STAKEY: OUR UNSUNG HERO
On May 2, 2008, the band lost one of its members when Stephen Stakey, a beloved member of the AS YET unnamed Spirit of Stony Brook, died tragically and all too soon. He collapsed suddenly at the 2008 Roth Regatta after having witnessed the band’s first-ever boat sail smoothly and victoriously across Roth Pond—a boat he had spent the previous several weeks working to engineer and help hoist into the waters.
The band was forever transformed. It was indeed then, that the band became a family.
Stephen was a gifted student, a member of the Honors College and Computer Science Honors Program, and a Microsoft genius. He was selected to be a computer analyst and beta tester in high school as part of a unique program for gifted and talented students. Stephen was an important and unanimously loved member of the band, where he played Bass 5 on the Stony Brook Drumline. The size of the drum can only be matched by the size of his heart, and he was uniquely talented at keeping the band on pace, on course, steady and in rhythm, and he was great at it. These talents were not just reserved for field performances because, although he never sought the limelight, he was considered by many of his peers as their “Rock.”
Each year at Band Banquet, we celebrate Stephen by recognizing one (of many) of our outstanding members who reflect his very same qualities, by presenting the Stephen Stakey Unsung Hero Award. Receiving this award is considered one of the band’s highest honors. Quite appropriately, Stephen was the band’s first-ever Unsung Hero Award recipient.
- ESTABLISHING TRADITIONS: THE LEDDY ERA (2006-2013)After two successful seasons, the Stony Brook Marching band was well on its way to becoming an established part of the Stony Brook campus, creating many of the traditions that still remain today. In its third season, it officially took the name “The Spirit of Stony Brook” (SOSB).In Fall 2009, Shayna Stahl was appointed the first Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, after serving as a graduate assistant since the band’s formation in 2006. Also in 2009, SOSB introduced its first High School Band Day, joined on the field and in the stands by the Longwood High School and Brooklyn Automotive High School Bands. The following year, the Rocky Point High School Marching Band joined the bands from Longwood and Brooklyn Automotive. This continued through 2012 with students from Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Manhasset, Mechanicville, Farmingdale, and Connetquot, all joining SOSB on the field and in the stands for one select football game each fall season.SOSB began to perform off campus at parades and other high profile performances, including a filming of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2010; and then in 2011 for their first appearance in New York City’s Columbus Day Parade (and for the next three years), appearing in a New York State Lottery Commercial, and making their first-ever appearance in the Men’s Basketball America East Championship. Since then, the band has enthusiastically supported the basketball teams at every home basketball game, and has made several appearances in the postseason Men’s and Women’s America East Basketball Finals.In May 2013, John Leddy retired from his role after seven years as Founding Director of Athletic Bands, and became Director Emeritus.
CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: THE STAHL YEARS (2013-2016)
Shayna Stahl was named Director of Athletic Bands in Fall 2013 after previously serving as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands since 2009. She grew the band to its largest size ever and SOSB traveled to the University of Connecticut and Villanova for football, and to Iowa with the basketball team.The band’s involvement with the basketball team continued to grow, and SOSB played at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-renovated Island Federal Arena in October 2014. Soon after, they played and cheered Stony Brook Basketball to its first America East Men’s Tournament win and an NCAA berth. A select group of band members traveled alongside the Men’s team to Des Moines, Iowa for their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.Outside of football and basketball, SOSB performed in a Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime commercial in 2014, and accompanied Walk the Moon in a performance of “Shut up and Dance” during Stony Brook’s annual fall concert in 2015. One month later, the band went viral on Instagram, performing the Thriller dance during a halftime show on Halloween.In Summer 2016, Stahl helped facilitate SOSB’s first year of involvement representing the entire State University of New York system in the Annual New York City Pride Parade. Vincent Malafronte, who had been heavily involved with the band, was appointed Assistant Director of Athletic Bands. After seven total years of service to the Athletic Bands, Stahl left Stony Brook to pursue a doctoral degree in wind conducting at the University of Washington. Dr. Stahl is now the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference.TRANSITIONING INTO THE SECOND DECADE: THE PARKS YEARS (2016-2018)
In the Summer 2016, Dr. Christopher Parks was chosen to take over as the Director of Athletic Bands, immediately following Shayna Stahl’s departure. Dr. Parks previously served ten years as Director of Athletic Bands and Music Organizations at Boston University. During his time at BU, he was contacted by SOSB Founding Director John Leddy for input while establishing the Stony Brook Athletic Bands program. Dr. Parks was now the first Director of Athletic Bands at Stony Brook who was not directly involved in the program since the band’s 2006 inception.During his time at Stony Brook, the band traveled to Temple University in Philadelphia to perform its first away football game in two years; performed its first non-parade exhibition performance at the Mineola High School Marching Competition; High School Band Day was reestablished, and SOSB was joined by the Three Villages Marching Band; performance involvement in May commencement was increased; and the band performed in the 2017 NYC Pride Parade its second consecutive year.A LOOK BACK AND A VISION FORWARD: THE STOLARIK ERA (2018-Present)
In September 2018, Dr. Justin R. Stolarik was hired as Interim Director of Athletic Bands, following the departure of Dr. Chris Parks.Previously serving as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Oklahoma, and as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he brought with him a strong background of experiences with NCAA Division 1 FBS marching bands in the SEC (Florida Gator Band), Big XII (Texas Longhorn Band and Pride of Oklahoma), and Big Ten (Wisconsin Band) conferences.Dr. Stolarik immediately placed a strong emphasis on marching and drill precision—mixing traditional and corps-style techniques—while elevating the band’s playing style and skill. By the end of his first year, he expanded the band’s active repertoire to more than seventy-five tunes, and concluded the year with the Inaugural Spirit of Stony Brook Spring Concert, drawing 750 spectators.
After a national search in Summer 2019, Dr. Stolarik was officially appointed as Director of Athletic Bands. His first duty, though returning to the band for his second year, was to continue the band’s participation in the NYC Pride Parade, at WorldPride—this time, opening the opportunity for other SUNY school band members to participate alongside members of the SOSB.August 2019 was Dr. Stolarik’s first Preseason (formerly Band Camp) with SOSB. It was more intense than previous years, with a focus on marching and musical precision. A new traditional pregame show was written, which included the return of run-on from the tunnel, and incorporated a newly-composed opening fanfare, all of the school songs, each game’s opposing team fight song, the newly-introduced “Wolfie Spell-Out,” and the inclusion of America, the Beautiful. For the first time in the band’s history, SOSB prepared a new halftime show for every home football game—which meant seven new and unique shows, including the introduction of the Stony Brook Finale to conclude the final halftime show.In Spring 2022, Dr. Stolarik assumed the role of Conductor of the Wind Ensemble and became the Director of Bands, overseeing and directing all band activities at Stony Brook University as the sole band director, including the Athletic and Concert Bands.Dr. Stolarik’s goal since his arrival has been to create new ways of engaging the campus community, by promoting spirit and fan interaction at athletic and other events across campus, while increasing the precision and overall performance quality of the band.
Drum Majors & Block Captains
DM# Name Years Served BC# Name Years Served 24 Samantha Lankowicz 2024-2025 4 Patrick Hocker 2024-2025 23 Kathryn Scialabba 2023-2024 3 Samantha Lankowicz 2023-2024 22 Yajvin Dabbiru 2022-2023 2 Kathryn Scialabba 2022-2023 21 Nicholas Manzella 2021-2022 1 Yajvin Dabbiru 2021-2022 20 Jordan Miller 2020-2021 19 Yajvin Dabbiru 2020-2021 18 Julia Mullaly 2020-2021 17 Haggai Anglade 2019-2020 16 Veronica "V" Quintana 2019-2020 15 Joshua Stone 2018-2019 14 Scott Scheunemann 2018-2019 13 Theresa Grimaldi 2017-2019 12 Emily Biermann 2016-2019 11 Quamel Francis 2015-2018 10 Lakin Williamson 2014-2017 9 Katie Lankowicz 2013-2016 8 Andre Leon 2013-2015 7 Katherine Stockton 2012-2014 6 Eric Kunz 2011-2013 5 Karthik Rao 2010-2013 4 Megan Spicer 2009-2012 3 Justin Francisco 2008-2011 2 Geoffery Bansen 2007-2010 1 Navneet Singh 2006-2008
Halftimes
Drum Major #24: Samantha Lankowicz
Block Captain: Patrick HockerWolfie's Welcome
Astronaut in the Ocean, Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck, Don't Go, 95.south, Cold-Hearted, Tear it Up, PhysicalViva Elvis! (Band Family Day)
Burning Love, See See Rider, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Can't Help Falling in LoveWolfie's Red Hot Playlist (High School Band Day)
Music to be announced!New York State of Mind (Alumni Band Reunion Day)
New York Hippodrome March, Manhattan Beach March, I Love New York (NY State Song), Empire State of MindVeteran's Day Salute
Stars and Stripes Fanfare, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), Semper Paratus (Space Force), Stars and Stripes ForeverStan Kenton Returns and the Stony Brook Finale
Pegasus, Here's That Rainy Day, La Suerte de los Tontos, Stony Brook Finale
Drum Major #23: Kathryn Scialabba
Block Captain: Samantha LankowiczStony Brook Proud: 5 Years of the LGBTQ* Center
Over the Rainbow Fanfare, I'm Comin' Out, Born This Way, Dancing Queen, Over the Rainbow, We Are FamilySwingin' with the Seawolves
Birdland, In the Mood, CaravanNew York State of Mind
New York Hippodrome March, Manhattan Beach March, I Love New York (NY State Song), The Boy from New York CityVeteran's Day Salute & The Stony Brook Finale
Stars and Stripes Fanfare, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), Semper Paratus (Space Force), Stars and Stripes Forever, Stony Brook Finale
Drum Major #22: Yajvin Dabbiru
Block Captain: Kathryn ScialabbaEnrollment: 103
New York State of Mind
New York Hippodrome March, Manhattan Beach March, I Love New York (NY State Song), Take the "A" Train50th Anniversary of QUEEN
We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust, Don't Stop Me Now, We are the Champions, Bohemian RhapsodyWolfie's Dance Marathon
Sandy Shore Blues, Born This Way, Toxic, What is Love?, Love Shack, Dancing Queen, I'm a Believer, Tequila, Riffs (from Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs)35th Anniversary of Phantom of the Opera
Overture, Phantom of the Opera, Think of Me, Masquerade, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Music of the Night, On BroadwayOur Swingin' American Salute & The Stony Brook Finale
Stars and Stripes Fanfare, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), Swing Swing Swing, Stony Brook Finale
Drum Major #21: Nicholas Manzella
Block Captain: Yajvin DabbiruEnrollment: 111
25th Anniversary of RENT: The Musical
Rent, Seasons of Love, FinaleLatin Fire!
Aztec Fire, Fiero, Malaga, Malagueña, I Go to RioNew York State of Mind
New York Hippodrome March, Manhattan Beach March, Cheer for Stony Brook (Spirit Song), Empire State of MindSOSB 15th Anniversary
Ben Hur, You Really Got Me, Watermelon Man, Mercy Mercy Mercy, Fanfare for the Common Man, We're an American Band, You Can Call Me Al, Pinball Wizard, Shayna's Fanfare, Shut Up and Dance, Runaway Baby, Truth Hurts, Seawolves in Space, Winkler FanfareLatin Fire! & The Stony Brook Finale
Aztec Fire, Fiero, Malaga, Malagueña, Stony Brook Finale
Drum Majors: Julia Mullaly (#18), Yajvin Dabbiru (#19), Jordan Miller (#20)
Enrollment: 102
Football season canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Drum Majors: Veronica Quintana (#16), Haggi Anglade (#17)
Enrollment: 150
SBU Athletics: 20 Years of NCAA Division 1
Fanfare #2, Victory Song, Time Warp, Seawolves in Space, Fight Song, Jumpin' at the WoodsideNew York State of Mind
New York Hippodrome March, Manhattan Beach March, Go! Fight! Win! (Victory Song), Empire State of MindSlaughter on Tenth Avenue
Selections from Slaughter on Tenth AvenueLaValle Stadium Jukebox
Don't Stop Believin', Copacabana, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Walkin' on Sunshine, I Love Rock 'n' Roll, Respect, Sweet CarolineWomen of Pop
Call Me, We Found Love, Starships, We R Who We R, Truth Hurts, Poker Face, Raise Your GlassAmericana
Fanfare for the Common Man (Woody Herman), Rawhide, Appalachian Spring (Simple Gifts), The Land RaceWolfie's Dance Party & The Stony Brook Finale
Thriller, Cold-Hearted, Bad Romance, Toxic, Hey Ya, Crazy in Love, On the Floor, Stony Brook Finale
Drum Majors: Emily Biermann (#12), Theresa Grimaldi (#13), Scott Scheunemann (#14), Joshua Stone (#15)
Enrollment: 174
Music of SHREK
All Star, Funkytown, I'm a Believer, Disco InfernoThe Jazz Legacies of Stan Kenton and Benny Goodman
Artistry Fanfare, Artistry in Rhythm, Sing Sing SingA Very Special United States Military Tribute
Stars and Stripes Fanfare, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), America the Beautiful, Stars and Stripes Finale
Drum Majors: Quamel Francis (#11), Emily Biermann (#12), Theresa Grimaldi (#13)
Enrollment: 216 members
Brookfest
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Light My Fire, I Get Around, Don't Fear the Reaper, I Love Rock 'n' RollWolfie Around the World
Malagueña, Funiculi Funicula / Nessun Dorma, Scottish Drum Break, VictoriousLifting Spirits
Sound of Silence, Sir Duke, Lift Every Voice and Sing
Drum Majors: Lakin Williamson (#10), Quamel Francis (#11), Emily Biermann (#12)
Enrollment: 216 members
Show #1
Earth Wind and Fire Medley, Runaway Baby, Pretty Fly, Queen MedleyShow #2
You Really Got Me, You Can Call Me Al, Shut Up and Dance, Tommy, Thriller, Thnks fr th MmrsShow #3
The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), God Bless the USA
Drum Majors: Katie Lankowicz (#8), Lakin Williamson (#10), Quamel Francis (#11)
Enrollment: 205
Hit Songs
Geronimo, Shut Up and Dance, Honey I'm GoodBilly Joel
Uptown Girl, Only the Good Die Young, New York State of MindHalloween
Master of Puppets, Thriller, Time WarpVeteran's Day
Stars and Stripes Forever, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), America the Beautiful
Drum Majors: Katie Lankowicz (#8), Andre Leon (#9), Lakin Williamson (#10)
Enrollment: 187
Pop and Punk: Part 1
Thnks Fr th Mmrs, Ain't it Fun, Pompeii, My Songs Know What You Did in the DarkPop and Punk: Part 2
Thnks Fr th Mmrs, Ain't it Fun, My Songs Know What You Did in the DarkHit Songs
Luck, Pompeii, The Walker70s Big Band & Military Salute
Birdland, The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Marines' Hymn (Marines), Anchors Aweigh (Navy), The U.S. Air Force (Air Force), Semper Supra (Coast Guard), What is Hip70s Big Band
Birdland, 25 or 6 to 4, What is Hip
Drum Majors: Katherine Stockton (#7), Katie Lankowicz (#8), Andre Leon (#9)
Enrollment: 224
Show #1
Can't Hold Us, Thirft Shop, Good Feeling, Take On Me, Feel This MomentShow #2
Children of Sanchez, Tiger of San Pedro, Malagueña
Drum Majors: Karthik Rao (#5), Eric Kunz (#6), Katherine Stockton (#7)
Enrollment: 201
Show #1
What Makes You Beautiful, Moves Like Jagger, We Found LoveShow #2
We Found Love, On the Floor, We Are YoungShow #3
Semi-Charmed Life, Pretty Fly, All the Small Things
Drum Majors: Megan Spicer (#4), Karthik Rao (#5), Eric Kunz (#6)
Enrollment: 166
Show #1
Dynamite, Forget You, Born This Way, Raise Your Glass, We R Who We RShow #2
Dynamite, Hold It Against Me, Born This Way, Raise Your GlassShow #3
We're Not Gonna Take It, Rock This Town, Time After Time, Detroit Rock City
Drum Majors: Justin Francisco (#3), Megan Spicer (#4), Karthik Rao (#5)
Enrollment: 168
Show #1
Don't Stop Believin', 4 Minutes, America the BeautifulShow #2
Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck, Cold-Hearted
Drum Majors: Justin Francisco (#3), Megan Spicer (#4), Karthik Rao (#5)
Enrollment: 150
SOSB #4 Show
White Rabbit, Don't Fear the Reaper, Thriller, Bye Bye Bye, Disturbia
Drum Majors: Geoffery Bansen (#2), Justin Francisco (#3)
Enrollment: 114
Show #1
Bridge Over Troubled Water, You Can Call Me Al, Still Crazy After All These Years, Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, Late in the EveningShow #2
In the Stone, Let's Groove, September
Drum Majors: Navneet Singh (#1), Geoffery Bansen (#2)
Enrollment: 70
Show #1
I Can't Turn You Loose, Soul Man, Soul Finger, ThinkShow #2
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Uptown Girl, Only the Good Die Young, New York State of Mind
Drum Major #1: Navneet Singh
Enrollment: 17
The Inaugural Show
You Really Got Me, Watermelon Man, Mercy Mercy Mercy
Directors
- Dr. Justin R. StolarikView Full Bio
Current Director (#4)2018-Present
Bands 13 & Up - Dr. Christopher Parks
Director #32016-2018
Bands 11-12 - Dr. Shayna StahlView Full Bio
Director #22013-2016
Bands 8-10 - Mr. John LeddyView Full Bio
Founding Director (#1)2006-2013
Bands 1-7
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