Published February 11, 2015
Jay Bocook, a University of Louisiana at Monroe alumnus, will serve as a School of
Visual and Performing Arts Composer in Residence beginning Feb. 23. Bocook earned
a master of music education from ULM in 1977.
Bocook currently serves as the Athletic Band Director at Furman University in Greenville,
S.C., and is said to be one of the most respected and successful composers and arrangers
in the world.
Bocook’s work was performed at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.; the
1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga.; and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Upon his arrival, Bocook will rehearse with ULM student ensembles, and talk with composition
students. He will also speak to ULM music majors and prospective majors at 11 a.m.,
on Tuesday Feb. 24, in the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall.
A free concert will be held featuring the ULM Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. The
groups will present a concert of Bocook’s music. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.,
on Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Brown Auditorium.
About Jay Bocook:
Jay Bocook is an internationally acclaimed composer and arranger whose music has been
performed by the top drum corps, marching bands, and concert bands in the world. Bocook
is also the music arranger for the 10-time World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.
In 2003, Bocook’s music transcriptions of noted film composer John Williams were premiered
by the U.S. Marine Band in a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. An
encore performance with Williams and the “President’s Own” took place in 2008.
In 2009, Bocook was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He is
also a member of the American Bandmasters Association.
For more information, contact the School of Visual and Performing Arts at 318-342-3811.
