You could call it a familiar refrain.
Or a new verse.
Former East Tennessee State University band director Joe D. Moore is returning to his alma mater to direct the school’s new marching band.
ETSU is re-establishing a marching band within the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music to serve as a Saturday afternoon duet with the return of football to the school.
The Buccaneers’ first kickoff will come Sept. 3, 2015 against another new team, Kennesaw State, at Science Hill High School.
Moore will join the ETSU faculty in July as director of athletic bands and associate director of bands. His main responsibilities will include leading, building and teaching the ETSU Marching Band and Pep Band. Moore comes to ETSU from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., where he is assistant professor of music and director of bands. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the “Pride of the Delta” Marching Band and teaches courses in conducting and instrumental methods.
He earned his bachelor of music education degree from ETSU in 1987, his master of music degree in music education from the University of Miami in 1992 and his doctor of musical arts degree in wind band conducting from the University of Kentucky in 2013.
He served as marching band director at ETSU in 2002 and taught in public schools in Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, including Tennessee High in Bristol and Sullivan East.
Moore is expected to begin musician recruitment when he arrives this summer, with plans to visit high schools and marching band rehearsals and band camps.
Moore will also begin the process of building an instrument inventory, supervising the design and purchase of uniforms and designing the on-field performance.