Trumpets
Section Leaders
Dominic Mendoza
Hey guys! My name is Dominic Mendoza and I’m a Jazz Studies major from Vancouver, WA. This is my third year at USC, but my second year in the Trojan Marching Band. I chose USC because it checked off all the boxes for me: great music program, great academics, and great sports to watch. But most of all, from the moment I stepped foot on campus it felt like home.
I grew up with a love for music, starting on violin when I was 3 years old, and I tried to learn just about every other instrument I could find from then on. My primary instrument is upright bass, but I played trumpet in both concert and marching band all throughout middle and high school. Joining the Spirit of Troy was a great opportunity for me to keep playing trumpet and to travel while supporting USC athletics.
My favorite memory in the TMB was this past December when we got to travel to Macau to perform at the Pico Group International Conference. We got to explore both Macau and Hong Kong while staying at a 5-star hotel, it was truly an unforgettable experience that I’ll forever be grateful for.
Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in joining the TMB trumpets or if you have any questions!
Ethan Say
Hi! My name is Ethan Say and I’m from Santa Clarita, California. This is both my third year in the Trojan Marching Band and as a student at USC. I am studying Computer Science with a minor in Artificial Intelligence Applications.
I’ve been passionate about music ever since I picked up the trumpet in the second grade. Being a devout band enthusiast, I’ve always loved the energy that comes with performing. When I first learned about USC, two things immediately stood out to me: its renowned Computer Science program and its legendary marching band. During my campus tour as a newly admitted student, the band performed for me, and in that moment, I knew I had to be part of it.
One of my favorite memories in the band was my very first performance at the Coliseum. Marching down the field to Tribute to Troy with the roar of a sold-out stadium was an unforgettable experience. Beyond the exciting football, basketball, and volleyball games that I play at, I’ve had the opportunity to perform at numerous off-campus events, including Netflix’s Unfinished Beef in Las Vegas, USC’s Crew Classic in San Diego, and even a bat mitzvah that had a drone light show!
Fun fact: On my first off-campus performance, I got to try Raisin’ Canes for the first time. To this day it is my all-time favorite place to go after performances.