The Sound of Central Marching Band at Central Methodist University has a long and storied history of excellence, thanks in part to outstanding directors at the helm. With the recent retirement of Professor Roy “Skip” Vandelicht, the role was left open for the next leader to step into those hard-to-fill shoes. Taking up the responsibility this fall will be Kevin Fearn, who will join the faculty as an adjunct professor while continuing in his role as band director at Harrisburg Public Schools.

Fearn, who along with his wife Haydan earned a master’s degree in music education from Central this spring, says he is “deeply honored” to have been selected as the new marching band director.

Fearn says he discovered Central’s “impressive” band and educational programs ten years ago when he began his tenure at Harrisburg. CMU quickly became the place where he wanted to continue his education, and now that he has had the privilege of learning from Central’s exceptional professors, he is looking forward to working with them as a colleague.

While Fearn will lead the marching band, Central’s chair of the fine arts department, Dr. Dori Waggoner, will assume the role of interim director of bands. Waggoner will lead the CMU Concert and University Bands for the 2023-24 academic year and will take the Concert Band on its annual spring tour. The 1992 graduate of Central is excited to have Fearn joining the team, as well.