From Camp Randall to Lambeau, These Band Members Keep Marching

From U-Rah-Rah to Go Pack Go: these former UW Marching Band members traded their red and white for green and gold and, in doing so, became part of the Tundra Line — the official drumline of the Green Bay Packers.

Every member’s musical journey is unique, with memories of the UW Marching Band and Tundra Line that will last a lifetime. Yet one thing binds them together: a shared passion for music, camaraderie, and the thrilling experience of performing before enthusiastic fans.

Badger band alumni reminisce about their favorite memories in both the UW Marching Band and Tundra Line — take a look!

Brandon Berens ’16: When I started playing percussion at 10 years old, my middle school band director’s daughter was in the UW Band. I remember him showing me a video of the band then, and it was a goal of mine to play for UW ever since! 

Joey D’Amato ’15: I grew up watching the Marching Band at Wisconsin athletic events, especially football. I used to love watching the trombones during “Hot Time,” but when the opportunity to play percussion presented itself, I couldn’t say no.

Connor Peterson ’16: My favorite UW Band memory was watching Wisconsin beat Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship in 2012 to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl. The Badgers had a shaky season in 2012, finishing 8–5, so we didn't know what to expect going into the game. As we know, Wisconsin routed Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship and, to date, I’ve never heard a stadium get so loud. 

Brandon Berens ’16: There really are too many to choose from, but I’d have to say the 2015 Final Four run with the men’s basketball team. Playing courtside for all of the games that season and traveling for the tournament was awesome. I’ll never forget the win against Kentucky in the Final Four — what a game to be at! 

Andrew Stroman ’19: The band puts on a huge spring Varsity Band concert at the Kohl Center every April, and I was the featured drum set soloist my final year in the band. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to perform with a 300-person brass band for a sold-out arena, let alone play a solo! That happened to be Mike Leckrone’s final year, which made it extra special.

David Muencheberg ’00: I have so many fond memories of being in the Marching Band. (Most of them are probably not appropriate to write/talk about.) The camaraderie and bonds formed among the drumline members have spanned decades. We were a tight-knit family, and many of us still keep in touch on a regular basis. So the truest memories are really just all of the little daily moments interacting with the other members.

Brandon Berens ’16: When the Tundra Line traveled to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for Brett Favre’s induction/Hall of Fame Game weekend, our bus broke down. I ended up under the hood for a bit and helped repair the issue to get us back to the hotel. There’s a picture out there somewhere of me in yellow Packers shorts fixing the bus!

Andrew Stroman ’19: Not a specific memory, but being from Green Bay, it’s incredible that I get to come back to my hometown to perform for the Packers. Just about every game, I see a friend from high school, or a family member comes to cheer me (and the Packers!) on.

David Muencheberg ’00: My fondest memories are very recent. I’ve had the opportunity for the past two season to drum alongside the UW Marching Band at Lambeau Field. They annually come up to march at Lambeau one game a year, and it’s great watching them turn Lambeau into Camp Randal North for a day. But it has been extra special the last two seasons because I have gotten to drum alongside my son, Brayden, who is currently a second-year snare drummer in the band! It has been an unforgettable experience to play alongside him during the Tundra Line vs. UW Drumline drum battle, as well as joining him and the band during Fifth Quarter. 

Connor Peterson ’16: The 2020 Divisional Round Playoff against the LA Rams hosted at Lambeau during the COVID-19 pandemic was very memorable. The Tundra Line was asked to play for the home playoff game, but we were required to play while mic’d up in some club seating toward the top of the stadium. Only around 9,000 fans were allowed to attend the game, and they were only permitted to sit in the inner bowl with masks on. Lambeau can hold over 80,000 fans, so it was a unique game to attend that we (hopefully) won’t be seeing any time in the future. 

Wes Zepecki-Davison ’16: 2011 Big Ten Championship Game — Russell Wilson passed to Jeff Duckworth for 36 yards to put us in scoring position and then to go on to win and go to the Rose Bowl.

Joey D'Amato ’15: The Badgers played LSU at Lambeau Field in the 2016 season, and the Tundra Line got to perform. It was my first year out of the band and created a special moment to share with my friends still in the band!

Wes Zepecki-Davison ’16: I teach high school drumline at Mukwonago High School, and while I love teaching, I do constantly get jealous of the students being able to play. I love the feeling you get from playing music with others, the way the crowd makes you feel when they respond and go crazy.

David Muencheberg ’00: I love drumming. I still get that adrenaline rush to perform each week. I also love sharing my knowledge of drumming, which I get to do as the drumline instructor for the Greendale High School Marching Band.