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NEGAUNEE - After graduating from Northern Michigan University's music education program, Jeremy Connin never expected to be back in the Upper Peninsula teaching.

"I hoped. I really didn't know," Connin said. "This was the job I really wanted to have."

That job is band director for the Negaunee Middle and High schools, stepping into the shoes of longtime director Gerry Anderson who retired at the end of the last school year.

"If I could sign a 30-year contract, I would," Connin said, referring to Anderson's long career.

Although he's the new director, Connin isn't exactly new to the district, having fulfilled his student teaching requirements at Negaunee with Anderson as his supervising teacher. The middle school students he taught then are now his high school juniors and seniors.

"They're great kids. They're for the most part well behaved and they're easy to work with. I've been happy being here," Connin said.

As the band director, Connin is responsible for six bands - three at the middle school and three at the high school - as well as the district's marching and pep bands, which are made up of students from the regular band program.

With football season in full swing, the marching band has been one of the more visible parts of the program. Made up of the symphonic (juniors and seniors) and concert (freshmen and sophomores) band students, marching and music are rehearsed during the regular band class periods. The bands are given a block period occasionally so they can have a few hours to rehearse together.

"We're doing something called 'Caliente,'" Connin said of the band's show this year. "It's essentially Latin pop."

Featuring songs like "Mambo No. 5" and "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony, the band's performance also includes a percussion piece, "Cuban Pete."

One challenge for the bands has been the auditorium renovations going on at the high school. For much of the beginning of the school year, including the two weeks of band camp, the band's practice field in the high school parking lot was covered with construction supplies and equipment.

The band made its first two appearances of the season at the school's home football games, playing during pregame and halftime and in the stands.

Besides the marching band, Connin has also been working with the middle school bands and the high school's jazz band, getting to know his 130 students, not to mention all the traditions that have been built up in the band program.

Fortunately for Connin, Anderson left the band program in good shape for his successor. Anderson has also remained in the area and has been meeting with Connin regularly to help answer questions and work through issues.

"I think the program was going strong from the time Gerry was here. I hope to just keep the tradition going," Connin said.

Coming up for the bands are a winter concert, basketball pep band, solo and ensemble competition and the band's spring break trip to New York.