FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tim Gunter, associate director of bands since 1995, has been named the new director of the Razorback Marching Band at the University of Arkansas.

As director of the marching band, Gunter will inherit more responsibilities, including directing the marching band, two basketball bands and the volleyball band. He will also be in charge of coordinating athletic-band budgets. His official title is now director of athletic bands and associate director of bands.

"The biggest change for me will be the transition from being an assistant to being in charge; a leader instead of a helper," Gunter said. "As an eighth-grader, I remember telling both my band teacher and mother I was one day going to be the director of the Razorback Marching Band. Well, I guess dreams can and do come true, because here I am."

Gunter is a 1978 UA graduate and was a graduate assistant from 1990-1992. He then went to Rutgers University in 1992 where he presided as director of athletic bands.

"I had a wonderful job at Rutgers," Gunter said. "I really enjoyed what I was doing and the people with whom I worked. When the University of Arkansas called and offered me the job, I could not say no to coming home."

At the University of Arkansas, the band program currently features three concert bands, the "Hogwild" basketball pep-band and the "Marching Razorbacks." Combined, these programs provide musical experiences and opportunities for approximately 300 college musicians every year. Gunter said 317 students have signed up for membership in the Razorback Marching Band this fall semester, by far the largest band in school history.

Gunter joined the University of Arkansas in 1995, and he doesn’t plan on leaving Fayetteville — a place he enjoys calling home.

"Fayetteville is the perfect size town; it’s not too small but not too large," he said. "The people of Fayetteville are as friendly as I’ve ever seen anywhere. Crime is not a major issue, and Fayetteville is not segmented like other towns."

As Gunter pursues his new responsibilities this year, there is no doubt he will remain more than a band director to his students, witnessing their growth from childhood into adulthood during their years at the University.

"There are a lot of tears in the office, and I am more than just a teacher," Gunter said. "Some of my students don’t have mom and dad at home to talk to about major issues. That’s also what I’m here for, and I don’t mind it one bit."

Stephen Gates, professor and chair of UA music department, knows Gunter is well skilled and proud to take-on the extra responsibility.

"It is exciting that Tim is an alumus with graduate and undergraduate degrees from the U of A," Gates said. "Tim brings the spirit of an alumnus with marching band expertise to his new position. An ideal combination, it seems to me."

The Marching Razorbacks have performed at several bowl games, including the Citrus, two Cotton, Sugar, Gator, Liberty, Independence, Orange, Hall of Fame, Dixie, Fiesta, Holiday, Bluebonnet and Carquest. They have also performed at the half-time show of a Dallas Cowboys football game and participated in the Inaugural Parade for newly elected President Bill Clinton in 1993 . The Marching Razorbacks participated as the honor band in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland in 1997.

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