Posted on Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 8:53 a.m.
University of Michigan Marching Band director takes job at Western Michigan
By Cindy Heflin
Michigan Marching Band Director Scott Boerma works with the tuba section during a September 2012 practice at Elbel Field.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com file photo
Michael Haithcock, director of bands, posted a message on the band’s Facebook page about Boerma's resignationTuesday night:
"Today Professor Scott Boerma announced his resignation as Director of the Michigan Marching Band to students in their post-bowl wrap up meeting,” Haithcock wrote.” “Dr. Boerma is leaving UM to take his "dream job" as Director of Bands at his alma mater, Western Michigan University. While we are all very sad Professor Boerma will leave us, we are thrilled his dream has come true."
Boerma is an associate conducting professor.
Comments
Doug
Thu, Jan 10, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
Go where you're appreciated!
A2comments
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 8:54 p.m.
I believe that in the past year or so the Marching Band moved under the Athletic Department (lots of talk about that when the band wasn't going to the 'Bama game in Texas). Wonder if that had any impact.
MMB95
Thu, Jan 10, 2013 : 11:21 a.m.
I'm an MMB alum and have heard nothing to this effect. The band is not a part of the Athletic Department. It's aligned with the School of Music.
redwingshero
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 6:38 p.m.
BMB baby!
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Sooo.....those who stay will be champions? We need a Michigan Man!
Ralph
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
Be a Michigan man? Show me the money!
AnnieWood
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
The halftime marching band performances in the Big House veer between excellent and ludicrous. Using the scoreboard should be minimized. It may be fun for the students to play with the technology but it can leave the crowd puzzled and bored.
AASO
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
Scott has done a great job with our marching band and I'm sure he'll be a wonderful asset to Western Michigan!
northA2
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
What people are missing is that this is a promotion. He is currently Director of the Marching Band...at Western he will be Director of Bands, equivalent to Michael Haithcock at UofM.
jcwest32
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 4:14 p.m.
It may be a dream job, but part of it cohld be the band is boring and plays the same songs every year. Although they sound really good, after years of games and post game shows at the big house I get bored and restless. They need to spice it up a little and put on a show with new and exciting things. I think that might have been out of his hands and was told to play the same things over and over again. I don't mind the tradition songs. Fight song, ect.... If this might have happened, maybe they would be playing more at all the games. Best of luck.
annarboral
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
U-M has a long history of developing top band leaders that go to other institutions for better pay and tenure. Revelli and Cavanaugh must have already had a tenured positions and simply taken on the band. This is very sad and a situation that needs to be corrected. I believe the director at Ohio State was also developed at Michigan, very sad.
Ralph
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 7:13 p.m.
Developed at Michigan? Boerma was most likely trained to teach marching band at Western. Music majors in education must not only learn to teach marching band but also participate. He also came from Eastern where he was marching band director, although in a part time position. I don't think he had a Ph.D. so they hired someone else.
Eep
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
There have been nine marching band directors since George Cavender retired in 1979 - that's less than 4 years each, on average. Of those 9 (based on a quick online search), it looks like 8 are in tenure or tenure track positions at other universities. I guess this could be viewed as a good thing in a way - UofM gets the best upcoming talent, pays them relatively little, and always has a fresh and energetic person directing their band. On the other hand, changing directors every 3 or 4 years could detract from the tradition and stability of the program.
jpud
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.
can you blame him? why would anyone who has an option of employment elsewhere tolerate such disrespectful treatment of the band. the band has been completedly marginalized at UM basketball games, reduced to sitting on their hands and watching for much of the game, rather than carrying the tune throughout the day. speakers squeal and screach with modern musak, a.k.a. rap, in an effort to recreate the perfect corporate professional sports environment in crisler. I can only imagine how poorly the band members must feel when they are condescendingly allowed to pipe in with a few tunes....the real question is how much longer UM fans, alumni and students are willing to tolerate the dictatorship in the athletic department.
CLX
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
I don't think it's disrespectful. The band is way too loud in that tight space - it's just not well suited for them. I seriously doubt he quit over that. The band is well loved at football games and tons of families go to see their practices. Lots of folks like them, and I think they know that.
Eep
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.
It appears that he didn't have tenure at UofM and will have tenure at Western. UofM was also paying him less than the AAPS pays a typical high school music teacher with an equivalent amount of education and experience.