Inside the Future of the Pride of Wildcat Land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm9AAETH5vI

Dr. Alex Wimmer standing inside of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

This interview features Dr. Alex Wimmer, the current Associate Director of Bands who has been named the new Director of Bands at Kansas State University. In this conversation, he reflects on his career, his admiration for his mentor Dr. Frank Tracz, and his vision for the future of the Pride of Wildcat Land.  

Dr. Wimmer discusses the challenge of keeping the news of his appointment private and the surreal experience of stepping into the role after 13 years at the university. He speaks deeply about the mentorship he received from Dr. Tracz, emphasizing the motto “leave it better than you found it” as a guiding principle for his life and leadership.

Dr. Wimmer views band as a “microcosm of life”, noting that his goal is to continue empowering students to develop leadership skills that extend beyond music and into their respective professional fields. While he plans to maintain the program’s standard of excellence and consistency, he is excited about future opportunities to grow, mentioning potential creative ideas like a “dad rock” show. He expresses enthusiasm about the future of K-State football under new head coach Collin Klein and looks forward to supporting the team through the band’s energy and spirit. When asked about his greatest piece of advice, Dr. Wimmer shares the lesson he gave his own daughters: “Work hard and always do your best.” 

Watch the full interview on Spotify