Sound Investment
Donors Elevate School of Music With Scholarships, Trumpets for Grizzly Marching Band
After traveling to Frisco, Texas, in January 2024 to cheer on the University of Montana Grizzlies in the national championship football game, Ren and Kelly Obrigewitch returned home to Missoula determined to lend support to another UM team.
While the Griz fought hard in a loss to South Dakota State, it was the Grizzly Marching Band that caught the Obrigewitches’ attention. Wanting to bolster the band’s brass section — a hallmark of the classic marching band sound — they stepped in to help.
Back home, they connected with Dr. Kevin Griggs, director of athletic bands, to discuss how they could make an immediate impact. Recognizing how hard the band works and their significant contribution to the game day experience, the couple decided to create a two-part gift: providing endowed scholarships for trumpet players and purchasing 24 brand new, high-quality trumpets. They hope their gift will inspire other donors to help the band grow.
The scholarships will help the marching band and other ensembles attract and retain future musicians, boosting the visibility and reputation of the entire School of Music. The new trumpets arrived in December and debuted at the Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament in Boise, where they instantly elevated the band’s sound and provided a unified look for the trumpet section.
Both Obrigewitches attended UM, with Ren graduating in 1985 with a degree in political science history and Kelly studying nursing. Their gift will not only strengthen the band’s performances but will also enhance the enjoyment of fans.
“There are always tangible ways for donors to help students,” Griggs said. “This gift will help the band, promote Griz Nation and make the whole game day experience better.”