Can you feel the music? Dodge City Community College prides itself on creating opportunities for our students, and the opportunities continue to grow. The band program took a step forward last year, with Dr. David Wiggins taking over to bring a more vibrant atmosphere to the game day experience at Dodge City for athletics, while also being involved in the community, and teaching music to our students. 
 
Dodge City CC is excited to add even more opportunities for the band program as it continues to grow under the guidance of Dr. Wiggins. Starting this school year (2026-27), the band program will add Mariachi, an ensemble that will provide more opportunities for our students along with an opportunity further immerse Dodge City CC in the Dodge City community. 
 
This educational and cultural opportunity was made possible through local philanthropic support. Back in May, Dodge City CC band program received a $10,000 donation from Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas and Ryan Ausmus to help with the purchase of instruments and equipment for the Mariachi program. 
 
Director of Bands, Dr. Wiggins, recently attended the National Mariachi Conference and Workshops in Las Vegas and immersed himself in the tradition and style of Mariachi music and the culture.
 
"This was everything Mariachi," Dr. Wiggins said. "It was an amazing immersion into the Mariachi style and Hispanic culture. I am very excited to share this experience with DC3 students and the community soon!"
 
The community will get its first chance to experience the fruits of this workshop this fall. The DC3 Mariachi ensemble is scheduled to perform at the Dodge City International Festival on Sunday, September 13. The performance will take place at Wright Park.
 
For more information about being a part of the DC3 band program, please contact the Director of Bands, Dr. David Wiggins (dwiggins@dc3.edu).