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Tom O'Neal's enthusiasm for his job is evident from his animated expressions. AM-FM We-l desne, t~~ Pioneer's newb - seong side any perably price ment for the me' # . \er\ Yneal To BY BETTY WOODRUFF . A new director and consolida tion by the music department mark major changes faced by USC's bands next fall. Thomas R. O'Neal, from I Hattiesburg, Mississippi, officially I became director July 1, replacing Ralph Wahl, who re- signed. "Al though my job didn't begin offi cially until the first," O'Neal said, "I came around June 10 to begin getting things ligned up." O'Neal said he was hired with the understanding that the band i would be under the Music Depart ment this fall. "I'm happy with the music connection," he said. "Every student comes into the band with a love for music and it's better for the serious music students if the band is with the department." For the first time this fall, mar ching band students will receive one credit for their activities. "Dr. Moody who is music department head was for giving these students credit and he got the action approv ed by the Faculty Senate," O'Neal said. In fact, O'Neal said he had re ceived "great cooperation from everyone at the University" in be coming acclimated to his new posi tion. "The people at the Athletic De partment have been particularly nice," he said. "You couldn't meet a nicer guy than Coach Dietzel and my work with Ralph Floyd (assis tant athletic director) has been good, too. With these guys, you know where you stand." O'Neal said he had noticed an increase in paperwork since begin ning his new job. Formerly a high school band director, he said, "there was more bureaucracy and red tape" involved in working at a university. Previously, O'Neal worked for three years as coordinator of the All-State band in Mississippi spon sored by the Lion's International Competition in New Jersey, top ping a field of 92. During his ten years as a high school band direc tor, he received eight consecutive 'riced rscsivsi hling MUICCETE 274.CIN Lead Band uperior ratings at the Mississippi ;tate Band-contest. Recruiting for next fall's band eems to be progress'ing at a steady >ace. O'Neal said that in two weeks ie has received 116 applications and ie anticipates this number will con inue to increase. "At registration ve'll be handing out band bro hures with the packets in an. ittempt to reach everyone about he band." People who come into the band hen will "probably come in as ilternates, work out for'a while and hen be fitted in," O'Neal said. 'But the real work will begin kugust 21 for the bands, special inits and percussion-drums are uch a major part of a band." O'Neal said he anticipated a ieavy schedule for the first few veeks of football. "For four veeks, we have four consecutive iome games," he said. "That neans a new show every week, be ause you just can't give the same )Id shows over again to the same audience." In longer range plans, O'Neal ;aid he would like to set the band ip outside around campus and let ,tudents hear the band playing ight music in different settings. 'I'd even like to have open rehear ;als outside," he said, "so the stu Jents can see what really goes on in 3 band. If people understand some thing better, they can appreciate it nore." Next summer he would like to iave a summer concert band open to high school students and soloists from the music department. "The group could give a blanket :oncert every two weeks or so," he ;aid. "It would help the students, >e good PR for the University and )ive some of the faculty a chance to >e heard." "The students' best interests are the main concerns, though," he said. "After all, we're here because :f the students." An unusual state -nent to some from a high-ranking faculty member, but Tom O'Neal ;eems to be one of the few who -nean it. IJ 2024 - BREAKF 629 Main i Honeycomi MEAL TIC r. and save!!! 4 * ***** *** >t. - rel3eulr Diamonds and Watches DEVINE STREET e FIVE POINTS COLUMBIA, S. C. AST/ LUNCH/ SUPPER 7Am -9 Pm raw treet. Right across from the s. Buy yourself a KCET