In early August, FAU’s marching band got a new leader. The music department appointed Sean Murray as the Matching Owls’ new band director, as well as associate director of bands. (FAU also has a wind ensemble and symphony band, plus seven instrumental ensembles.)

Murray received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in music education at Florida State University and has been a teacher and director at FSU’s College of Music since 2002.

“Murray will bring a high level of energy to the Marching Band in 2006,” said Heather Coltman, chairwoman of FAU’s music department. “The Band is going to be great for FAU football and its fans, and it will give many FAU students a chance to continue to be involved in a musical tradition that they loved in high school.”

The band, started in 2002 to compliment FAU’s new football team, took a one-year hiatus in 2004 before being revived in 2005 with a new budget and uniforms.

Murray, the band’s second full-time director since April 2005, told The Palm Beach Post that his goal with this year’s group is to “put a face on the university as the football program grows and have something the school can really be proud of.”

The Marching Owls have already begun preparations for their first show at the football team’s first home game on Thursday, Oct. 12. They will perform at every football home game and at exhibitions, basketball games and other university and community events.

Any student with prior musical training can join the Marching Owls.

For more information about FAU’s marching band, visit www.fau.edu/music or call the music department at (561) 297-3820.