Dr. Joe D. Moore
East Tennessee State University alumnus and former band director Dr. Joe D. Moore will return to his alma mater to direct the university's new marching band.
ETSU is establishing a marching band in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Music to coincide with the return of football to the university. The Buccaneers will kick off against another brand new team, Kennesaw State, on Sept. 3, 2015, at Science Hill High School's Kermit Tipton Stadium/Steve Spurrier Field.
Moore will join the ETSU faculty in July as director of athletic bands and associate director of bands. His primary responsibilities will include leading, building and teaching the ETSU Marching Band and Pep Band. He will also assist Dr. Christian Zembower, director of bands, in all aspects of the university's bands program, as well as teach music education classes and conduct a concert band during the academic year.
Moore comes to ETSU from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., where he is assistant professor of music and director of bands. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the "Pride of the Delta" Marching Band and teaches courses in conducting and instrumental methods.
He received his bachelor of music education degree from ETSU in 1987, his master of music degree in music education from the University of Miami in 1992 and his doctor of musical arts degree in wind band conducting from the University of Kentucky in 2013.
Before joining the faculty of Delta State, Moore was a graduate conducting associate at UK, where he assisted with the Wildcat Marching Band, Pep Bands, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Concert Band and taught undergraduate conducting.
He served as marching band director at ETSU in 2002 and taught in public schools in Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, including Rome (Ga.) High School, Tennessee High School in Bristol, Sullivan East High School in Bluff City and Pulaski County (Va.) High School. During his 16 years as a high school band director, Moore's bands earned numerous awards and honors in marching, concert and jazz venues throughout the Southeast and in Ireland.
Moore has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician for high school bands and orchestras in the Southeast and was an adjudicator for Drum Corps Midwest. He is an active marching band arranger for several university and high school bands throughout the United States.
He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity, the National Band Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and honorary societies Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa Lambda.
"I am honored to have been selected to return to my alma mater and have a role in these exciting times at ETSU," Moore said. "I look forward to working with the students, administration, faculty and staff, as well as having the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and former students throughout the region."
"I am very excited and pleased to have Dr. Joe Moore as the new addition to the ETSU Bands program in developing and leading the "Marching Buccaneers' and assisting this office with the other areas of the ETSU Bands program," Zembower said. "With his prior experience from serving as an undergraduate music major, member and drum major with the marching band, in addition to his leading this ensemble in 2002 as part of the music faculty, Dr. Moore's knowledge is invaluable in continuing to uphold the ETSU traditions with the marching band, along with establishing new and innovative traditions for the future."
According to Zembower, Moore will begin musician recruitment when he arrives this summer by visiting high schools and marching band rehearsals and band camps. A "promotional pep band" will also be formed this fall to perform at select events with the ETSU football team and coaches. This band will be comprised of upperclassmen currently participating in the ETSU Bands program and incoming freshmen.
Moore will also begin the process of building an instrument inventory, supervising the design and purchase of uniforms and designing the on-field performance.
