After conducting an extensive national search, the University of South Carolina has appointed Dr. Cormac Cannon to the position of associate director of bands.
Dr. Cannon's duties will include directing the Carolina Band, conducting the USC Symphonic Winds, and teaching classes in the School of Music. His appointment will begin July 1, 2015.
Dr. Cannon holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati, and a doctorate from the University of Texas. Early in his career he was a successful high school band director in Williamsburg, Iowa. Since 2009 Dr. Cannon has been the assistant director of bands at Michigan State University. His duties at Michigan State include serving as the associate director of the Spartan Marching Band, directing the Spartan Brass athletic band, conducting the Concert Band, and teaching courses in the College of Music. His new book, The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual will be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2015.
Director of bands at USC, Dr. Scott Weiss says, "Dr. Cannon is enormously talented, highly organized and incredibly personable. He brings with him a wealth of experience with major marching bands, and he has very high expectations and aspirations of the Carolina Band. I very much look forward to working with him."
Three finalists for the position each spent three days on campus in November during which time they worked with students and met with various groups from the School of Music and Athletics. Each wrote drill for and ran a full rehearsal of the Carolina Band. Dr. Weiss states, "Dr. Cannon’s work with the Carolina Band was absolutely stunning. Without changing anything that we do, he instantly elevated the performance level of the group. It was clear he would honor who we are while continuing to enhance the quality of the band. In the end, he was the unanimous choice of the search committee and the overwhelming favorite of the members of the Carolina Band."
Founded in 1921, The Carolina Band performs at all home and away football games, including bowl games. The 2014 edition of the band includes over 350 members representing virtually every major on campus.