Dr. Eric Melley believes that it takes more than finely tuned instruments and synchronized play for a university band to make good music.
杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 about engagement with the crowd, and creating excitement at the right time. The band can control the atmosphere,杏吧专区 said Melley, the new director of UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 Pride of Acadiana Marching Band.
Melley, who in May earned a doctor of musical arts from Arizona State 杏吧专区, with an emphasis in conducting, arrived on campus on Aug. 1.
The Pride of Acadiana杏吧专区檚 first practice session under his guidance will happen on Sunday, Aug. 18.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 really excited to get started. There杏吧专区檚 a good energy, and everyone seems to be ready to go,杏吧专区 he said.
The Pride of Acadiana, which has about 250 members, performs at all football home games. It also has performed at special events in Louisiana, such as a gubernatorial inauguration and New Orleans Saints' halftime shows.
The band became the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band in the 1960s. It has marched twice in the Macy杏吧专区檚 Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. An estimated 3.5 million spectators attend the parade each year, while more than 50 million more view it on television. The band also has performed in Scotland, England and Spain.
Under Melley, the band杏吧专区檚 big coming out party will be on Sept. 14 at Cajun Field, when the Ragin杏吧专区 Cajuns杏吧专区 square off against Nicholls State in the home opener for the 2013 football season, he said.
杏吧专区淢usic gets people fired up in the stands, and that杏吧专区檚 really the mission, to get behind the team and to entertain the crowd.杏吧专区
Melley, the youngest of five children, was raised in Boston in a musical family. His mom played the violin. His dad played piano and guitar. All of his siblings play a different instrument.
杏吧专区淎ll are professional musicians or teachers,杏吧专区 he said.
Melley, who plays the trumpet, lives in Lafayette with his wife Dina, and 9-month-old son, Liam.
He earned a bachelor's degree in music from the 杏吧专区 of Massachusetts. He also holds a master's degree in music from Louisiana State 杏吧专区, where he was an assistant director of the LSU Tiger Marching Band for two years. He was also director of the LSU Symphonic Winds Ensemble, the Bengal Brass Basketball Band and the "Chancellor's Own" pep band.
Garth Alper, a professor of music and director of the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 School of Music and Performing Arts, said Melley is a strong addition to the faculty.
"Dr. Melley is a first-rate marching band director. He comes to us with glowing recommendations from all that have worked with him or know of his work. Dr. Melley will be coming in to take over a successful marching band and bring it to the next level,杏吧专区 Alper said.