Penn State Alumnus Greg Drane Named Blue Band Director

By

Zach Berger

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March 24, 2015 – 8:21 am

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After nearly two decades with O. Richard Bundy at the helm, the Penn State Blue Band officially has a new director. Gregory Drane, the band’s current assistant director, has been selected as Bundy’s successor according to an e-mail sent to the band.

Drane has been with the Blue Band since 2002 and has served as the assistant director since 2005.

He’s a Penn State alumnus, too, completing a master’s degree in music education at the university after attending Bethune-Cookman College for his undergraduate degree. Drane is an instructor with the Penn State School of Music and is currently working on a doctorate.

“As many of you know, he has been a charismatic and talented member of the athletic band staff for the past ten years,” wrote Sue Haug, the Director of the School of Music, in an e-mail to the Blue Band. “He is known for his creative drill-writing, his memorable half-time shows, and his contemporary arrangements, which have contributed to one of the best atmospheres in college football.”

Drane beat out two other finalists to earn his new role leading the Blue Band. Kyle Glaser, a Penn State alumnus and the athletic bands director at Texas State University, was on the short list for the job. Michael Robinson, the University of Georgia band director, was also a finalist.

During his tenure at Penn State, Drane has also served as the director of the Pride of the Lions basketball pep bands. He has primarily worked on drill design and arrangements for the Blue Band.