Whether you’ve enjoyed their all-school performances or partied to their music at dances like Homecoming and Spring Fling, everyone knows the band MB140. For the past three years, room 140 at the end of the Music Wing has given the school’s all-student band its name and home base.
The foundation for MB140 was laid in 2021 by Giancarlo Mendoza ’23 and Julia Cooper ’25, as they had prepared to perform at Hispanic Heritage Month and Student Music Showcase.
The next year, joined by Nate Harrison ’24, the group performed sets at multiple all-school meetings.
In the fall of 2023, the group grew, adding Will McGee ’24, Eva Lependorf ’24, Addie Cirulis ’25, and Isamar Martinez ’24. “Practice is one of my favorite parts of the week, and I’ve met some of my best friends,” said Cirulis.
The band is named after the room in which the group practices. “The room itself is the lifeblood of the MB140. People have laughed and cried in that room. People have opened college decisions and gotten their ears pierced in that room. The room is representative of the people,” said Cooper.
A performance at the 2023 Dorm Olympics was a turning point in MB140’s popularity. The band played four songs.
Cirulis said, “We got to see how much people enjoy listening to us. People were dancing; it was out on main steps. I’d never, up until that point, experienced that type of energy.”
The Seniors of MB140 make up the core of the band, and each of them have been involved in music throughout their entire lives. Cooper grew up playing the violin and started her first band in sixth grade.
Cirulis began voice lessons at age ten. She said, “I really found my passion for music through musical theatre. But it wasn’t until I got to Hotchkiss that I sang in a band.”
Daniel Qu ’25 said, “I’ve been playing drums since I was five. I started when I saw my sister perform, and I just thought she looked really cool. Music has always been a part of my life, and something I love so much. Being a part of MB140 just made sense”
The musicians, led by Cooper, and the singers, organized by Cirulis, are often able to learn songs in just a few short days leading up to a performance. “MB140 runs like a well-oiled machine,” said Cooper.
Band members practice together and help each other prepare for shows. “I will always remember putting eyeliner on Nate and Will right before our performances in the Walker greenroom,” said Cooper.
“I’ve gained a lot of confidence through performing with MB140. It’s such a privilege to be able to perform almost once a week for the entire school,” said Cirulis.
With Cooper on bass, Qu on drums, and Cirulis ’25 and Stell del Mazza Rocha ’25 on vocals, the band is losing multiple members with the class of 2025’s graduation.
Cooper said, “We’ve already started passing rehearsals on to the younger members. We’re excited to see where MB140 goes from here.”
Next year, Wally Rollins ’28, Tyler Rosenblum ’27, and Bastien Sever ’26 will be band co-heads. Interested musicians and singers can sign up to audition at next year’s Clubs Fair, and auditions will be held in the fall.
