FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2017

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - Two Glenville State College students will be serving as co-field commanders for the Pioneer "Wall of Sound" Marching Band this semester. Evan Merical, a Millwood, West Virginia native, and Derrick Lowe, who hails from Chapmanville, West Virginia, will share the field commander duties. Together they are tasked with ensuring rehearsals run smoothly, helping the band director lead the band, and to keep up the morale of the band's members.

"Being given the opportunity to be one of Glenville State College's field commanders is a true honor," said Merical. "There are many musicians in our department that are beyond capable of serving and to be selected out of a field with such strong talent is an honor and blessing. "Lowe echoed his sentiments saying, "I feel proud and honored to be a field commander of the marching band. It's amazing to be in front of the band and have your head bombarded by all the beautiful music as they perform."

Both students have a strong appreciation when it comes to the musical arts. "My inspiration for music comes from a little church in Logan County called Orville Holiness Gospel Church. Until after a surgery, I was deaf for the first five years of my life. However, I remember distinctly being drawn toward the music because it was the first thing I technically 'heard' and I felt it more than anything. The energy behind the drums and just watching fingers make simple chords and feeling that sound, that was when music became more than just something to listen to. Music became a best friend to me," Lowe said.

Evan Merical and Derrick Lowe will be serving as co-field commanders for the Pioneer Marching Band this year | Photo by Professor Emeritus Jim Meads

â"We all as individuals have something that allows us to temporarily get away from all the stress of college classes, jobs, and our day-to-day lives. For myself, and many others in the Fine Arts Department, that 'something' is music. It allows us to express ourselves in ways words cannot," said Merical.

The pair will trade off field commander duties and collaborate during performances. "We plan to share the duties by working together to accomplish and surpass the goals expected of us. From my perspective, Derrick is great at many of the things I am weaker at, and that only makes us more capable of success," Merical said. "Evan is a really great guy and he's easy to work with. If I don't know an answer to a question, he usually does. It's a pretty nice balance between the both of us," Lowe added.

Merical, whose primary instrument is the alto saxophone, has been playing for 11 years. In addition to studying music performance at GSC, he's also a business student working on majors in accounting, management, and marketing. After graduation he plans to find employment while working toward either a Master's in Business Administration or a Master's in Accountancy from Auburn University. He is the son of Connie and Willard Merical.

In addition to playing piano and guitar, Lowe mainly plays trombone, something he's been doing for around nine years. The music education major also enjoys singing. After graduation he plans to continue on to graduate school for composition and arranging. He is the son of Alice and Denver Lowe.

"Evan and Derrick are conducting both themselves and the band with great professionalism. They are truly a dynamic duo!" said Marching Band Director Dr. Lloyd Bone.

For the innumerable followers of GSC's Marching Band, the duo say to expect a great field show this year with many of the selections in tribute to the famous musicians lost in 2016. "Fans can expect the most diverse show that they've seen since in a while," Lowe said. "And we may need to change the name from "Wall of Sound" soon, we're definitely something bigger than a wall this year. And it is glorious."

After expressing interest in serving as field commander, the applicants take part in an audition day where they try out in front of a guest adjudicator. Candidates are expected to conduct a prepared piece and also to answer questions in regard to band leadership.