This is an overdue post but you might be aware that Dr. Frenz retired after this past season. UC magazine even had a goodbye letter from him since he's basically been there for 25 years or so. The new director starting this June will be Christopher Nichter. Nichter was formerly the Assistant Band Director at WVU. Been a while since I've seen WVU's band perform but historically they've had a different style of marching and music selection than UC. WVU has a large band. It's currently listed at 380 members. UC's tops out at about 260 which might be it's high water mark for membership.
It will be interesting to see what Nichter's music selections will be and what if any style changes we see in the band. He'll have some freedom with the field formations for halftime in football that he's not used to coming from a band that size. I think a lot of sports fans are ready for some of the music played in the stands to change based on feedback I've gotten in the past. New directors usually bring their own style along so we'll have to see what that holds. I doubt many of the core traditions like the charge down the stairs will change.
Good luck to Mr. Nichter.
~AEA
It will be interesting to see what Nichter's music selections will be and what if any style changes we see in the band. He'll have some freedom with the field formations for halftime in football that he's not used to coming from a band that size. I think a lot of sports fans are ready for some of the music played in the stands to change based on feedback I've gotten in the past. New directors usually bring their own style along so we'll have to see what that holds. I doubt many of the core traditions like the charge down the stairs will change.
Good luck to Mr. Nichter.
~AEA
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