Dr. Eric Melley believes that it takes more than finely tuned instruments and synchronized play for a university band to make good music.
“It’s about engagement with the crowd, and creating excitement at the right time. The band can control the atmosphere,” said Melley, the new director of UL Lafayette’s Pride of Acadiana Marching Band.
Melley, who in May earned a doctor of musical arts from Arizona State University, with an emphasis in conducting, arrived on campus on Aug. 1.
The Pride of Acadiana’s first practice session under his guidance will happen on Sunday, Aug. 18.
“I’m really excited to get started. There’s a good energy, and everyone seems to be ready to go,” he said.
The Pride of Acadiana, which has about 250 members, performs at all football home games. It also has performed at special events in Louisiana, such as a gubernatorial inauguration and New Orleans Saints' halftime shows.
The band became the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band in the 1960s. It has marched twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. An estimated 3.5 million spectators attend the parade each year, while more than 50 million more view it on television. The band also has performed in Scotland, England and Spain.
Under Melley, the band’s big coming out party will be on Sept. 14 at Cajun Field, when the Ragin’ Cajuns’ square off against Nicholls State in the home opener for the 2013 football season, he said.
“Music gets people fired up in the stands, and that’s really the mission, to get behind the team and to entertain the crowd.”
Melley, the youngest of five children, was raised in Boston in a musical family. His mom played the violin. His dad played piano and guitar. All of his siblings play a different instrument.
“All are professional musicians or teachers,” he said.
Melley, who plays the trumpet, lives in Lafayette with his wife Dina, and 9-month-old son, Liam.
He earned a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Massachusetts. He also holds a master's degree in music from Louisiana State University, where he was an assistant director of the LSU Tiger Marching Band for two years. He was also director of the LSU Symphonic Winds Ensemble, the Bengal Brass Basketball Band and the "Chancellor's Own" pep band.
Garth Alper, a professor of music and director of the University’s School of Music and Performing Arts, said Melley is a strong addition to the faculty.
"Dr. Melley is a first-rate marching band director. He comes to us with glowing recommendations from all that have worked with him or know of his work. Dr. Melley will be coming in to take over a successful marching band and bring it to the next level,” Alper said.