MSU Hires First Female Band Director Lisa Hunter, who assumed her duties this fall as Montana State University's director of bands, is MSU's first female director and one of just a handful of female band directors in the country. "(Women band directors at the collegiate level) are not very common at all," admits Hunter. "There are a few assistant marching band directors. It's rare to find a female who's doing this (marching and concert bands), but I love it." Hunter comes highly regarded, according to Greg Young, former head of the MSU Department of Music, but recently promoted to the new post of vice provost for undergraduate education. "It's terrific that MSU has hired not only the first female college marching band director in Montana's history, but such a talented and highly qualified individual," Young said. "Lisa Hunter will be a marvelous asset to the state in many ways. She's a superb band director, an accomplished performer on saxophone, and has already demonstrated her ability to build rapport with student leaders." Hunter came to MSU from the University of Arizona. She grew up in Flasher, N.D., a small town outside of Bismarck, where she learned to play the saxophone and the charms of marching in a band. Hunter attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, graduating with double degrees in performance and music education. She earned both a master of music degree in instrumental conducting and a doctorate in music education from the University of Arizona. At MSU, Hunter will teach two music education classes during the year, conducting the Wind Ensemble and the University Band in addition to the Spirit of the West Marching Band and the Bobcat Pep Band. It is the latter two bands that Hunter believes have a broad purpose in university life. Hunter said her theme for the first year is to bring consistency, quality and excitement to the band. She predicts that the band will be more active during sporting events and there will be some new music. For instance, she plans to do a Carlos Santana show as well as more patriotic material. Hunter said she doesn't anticipate that MSU students, alumni or boosters will have any problem accepting their first woman director. "I have quite a bit of energy, and I think I can relate well to students," she said. "We will be rocking and it will be a fantastic experience for anyone involved." Photo by Jeannine Lintner.