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Creswell to Lead Jacksonville University’s New Marching Band

Jacksonville University announces Christopher J. Creswell, associate director of bands at Fleming Island High School in Clay County, as its new marching band director. Creswell, who was chosen from a national pool of 50 candidates, officially begins Aug. 15. The band will begin playing at sporting events in the fall of 2012.

“Chris stood out in our search, not solely because of his reputation as a legend in the band world, but due to his innate ability to bring the best from individual students,” said Bill Hill, dean of the College of Fine Arts.

Creswell has 12 years’ experience as a director, composer, arranger and visual designer for marching bands across the country. In addition to his position at Fleming Island High School, he is a composer/arranger for Impact Marching in Ft. Wayne, Ind., a drill designer for Marching Show Concepts in Sarasota, Fla., and a freelance trombonist, arranger, composer and drill designer.

“My interest in becoming director of athletic bands at JU stems from the unique opportunity of starting a program and its traditions from scratch, giving ownership to the student members, and together creating an organization that provides spirit and pride to the University. I’m also excited by the challenge of creating a world-class marching ensemble that will provide positive, exciting entertainment at sporting events and also exposure for JU not only locally but nationally.”

The university is collecting applications to join the band, which is open to all majors. Those interested should fill out an information form by visiting www.ju.edu/marchingband.