FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music has named Associate Professor Eric M. Smedley as IU’s new director of athletic bands. The director position includes taking charge of the university’s 300-member Marching Hundred.
Former chair of the school’s Department of Bands and former associate director of the Marching Hundred, Smedley joined the Jacobs faculty in fall 2011.
“Eric Smedley is a Jacobs School of Music graduate and an alumnus of the Marching Hundred,” said Rodney Dorsey, chair of the bands department. “His tangible connection with the history of the organization and his clear vision for the future will serve our students well.”
Smedley earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington, and Master of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from the Jacobs School of Music.
He previously served on the music faculties of Boise State University and Western Kentucky University, and as a public school music educator in Cocoa Beach, Florida; Santa Monica, California; and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Smedley has conducted throughout North America, Russia and Japan. His IU Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the 2018 College Band Directors National Association North Central Conference.
Jacobs professor David Woodley recently stepped down as director of athletic bands and will continue as a faculty member in the Department of Bands. His 27 years as athletic bands director will be recognized during IU’s Homecoming 2020.