The Marshall University School of Music and Theatre is bringing a new face to the music department. Captain Brian Walden is the new band director. Walden will be joining Marshall University in August 2015 after retiring from the Navy in July.

Walden was the Commanding Officer of the United States Navy Band and the administrative head of music in the Navy. He enlisted in the Navy in 1981 and began his music career in the Navy as a trumpet instrumentalist in Charleston, New Orleans, Guam, the Marianas Islands and Norfolk.

Walden was selected from a group of applicants from around the nation. He was one of the three final contenders that were invited to campus and given the opportunity to conduct the wind symphony.

Walden had to go through a series of interviews with Marshall faculty such as Richard Kravchak, the director of the School of Music and Theatre. Kravchak said he is elated to add such a strong member to his team and he has high ambitions for the new band director.

“We are very fortunate to end up with someone of Captain Walden’s experience and ability,” Kravchak said. “I think that he will show that not only the School of Music and Theatre, but Marshall University is a place where people who are internationally recognized experts in their field find it attractive to come to work and to have a career.”

In accepting the position of band director Walden will be overseeing the three concert bands at Marshall University and conducting thewWind symphony, which is made up of all music majors.

Walden has toured around the world in places such as Naples, Italy, South America and Africa. He has performed with Virginia Wind Symphony, the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra and La Orquesta Salsa y Mar, and a Latin salsa ensemble.

He has served as director of music at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Maryland, and St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the orchestral brass instructor for the Virginia Beach Public Schools Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.

Walden has been presented the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation, Joint Service Meritorious Unit Award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Cops Achievement Medals.

“I believe that he will not only attract the best and brightest music students but because of his musicianship and his ability,” Kravchak said. “And his experience he will get the absolute best out of our music students.

Shalee Rogney can be contactd at [email protected]