MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The director of the West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band told school officials and students Friday he will no longer be with the group.
“Words cannot express the great honor it has been for me to serve this band program, my alma mater and the great state of West Virginia over the past 19 years,” Jay Drury said in a news release.
Drury, who led the “The Pride of West Virginia” Band to multiple national appearances over the last 11 years, announced his resignation Friday.
“I am so thankful for all of the wonderful band staff members and thousands of band members who have shared in this journey with me to continue the tradition of excellence of one of the top college bands in the nation,” Drury said. “Although my love for and dedication to this program have not waivered, the time has come for me to focus more on my family as I look to continue to serve WVU and the state of West Virginia in a new way.”
The most recent recent appearance of the band was in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The band was selected to lead the parade in front of millions of spectators and a national TV audience.
Drury’s resignation takes effect June 1. The 2017-2018 marching band will be led by Director of Bands Scott Tobias, the release said. The university plans to conduct a search and interview process for the next director during that time. Tobias will oversee the entire transition.
“As we move forward, we are committed to maintaining the rich tradition enjoyed by the band while continuing in our efforts to reach new heights with ‘The Pride of West Virginia,'” Tobias said in the release.
Drury said he will “always be the band’s number one supporter.”
Drury became the 11th director of the “The Pride of West Virginia” in 2005. He served four years as the assistant director prior to that. He also held band director positions at both Oak Glen and Brooke High Schools in the Northern Panhandle. Drury is a WVU graduate and former band member.