Carol Hayward

New director sees fresh frontiers for Falcon Marching Band

With only a few days before its first performance of the season, BGSU's new Falcon Marching Band Director Carol M. Hayward is eagerly meeting past and prospective new band members on the practice field as tryouts for the 2003 band begin.

Hayward describes this as a "frontiers" season for the Falcon Marching Band to build on tradition with exciting new ventures in pageantry and musical innovation. "We want to develop an identity of our own, one that includes traditions as well as new directions. We want to develop a sound that's readily recognizable (as the Falcon Marching Band)," the new director explained.

When the band takes the field at Doyt L. Perry Stadium for the half-time show on Thursday (Aug. 28), fans will be treated to the music of Paul McCartney. Other shows include "Latin Heat" and a special Homecoming show saluting former BGSU music arranger Lou Marini, who is expected to be on campus for the performance. The season also will offer what Hayward describes as a humorous "Movin' Right Along" show, another devoted to "Classic Jazz" and a show on Nov. 15 which will feature the world premiere of "Frontiers," a new work commissioned specifically for the Falcon Marching Band.

Hayward comes to BGSU this fall from Ohio State University, where she was a doctoral student in conducting and her responsibilities included conducting the University Band and teaching undergraduate courses in conducting. She also assisted with the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band and the Horn Ensemble. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Capital University Conservatory of Music and a master's degree in music education form Ohio State.

Before returning to Ohio State for her doctorate, she was a successful high school band director for more than 20 years, including serving as director of bands and orchestra and music department chair at Westland High School in the Southwestern City Schools from 1989-2001. She also has been a guest conductor for various honor bands and festivals, and been a marching band adjudicator and clinician. Bands under her direction have performed at state conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association and the American School Band Directors Association as well as at the national convention of that association. She received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence In 2000 and an Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award last year at Ohio State.

On Sept. 20 when the Falcon football teams meets the Ohio State Buckeyes, she and the BGSU band will head to Columbus. There they will do a pre-game show at St. John Arena, a half-time show at the game, and then a post-game performance with the OSU band. The prior evening the Falcon Marching Band will appear at Gahanna Lincoln High School.