Photo Provided Thomas Swisher prepares to take over as band director for the Union Local School District.

BELMONT — A new band director will be leading the musical march in the Union Local School District this coming school year.

After a brief meeting of the board of education Thursday morning, Thomas Swisher was approved for the post.

“He’s a graduate of Ohio University,” Superintendent Ben Porter said.

He is taking over for April Linard, band director of the past 16 years, who is leaving for another opportunity.

“She took a job at Claymont,” Porter said. “She went to high school there, so she’s going back to her alma mater.

“She did a great job, I can’t say enough good things about her, what she did with the band program, and we’re confident that Thomas will step up and continue the same,” Porter said. “This will be his first band director position, he’s a recent (college) graduate. He’s got several field experiences and previous experience working with some high school bands.”

Swisher’s duties will range from classroom teaching duties instructing students in different grade levels on playing instruments to directing the concert and marching bands.

The band has long been a credit to Union Local, with students playing at state events and marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“Ms. Linard did a tremendous job, it’s been several years in a row we’ve had students march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Porter said.

Porter said Swisher’s salary will be in the standard range of $40,000 per year.

“I just hope we continue the trajectory that we are headed and continue to give our kids opportunities to march,” Porter said.

Swisher is looking forward to getting started. He said he has a longtime love of music and music education, beginning when he first played in middle school.

Swisher is a tuba player and is most familiar with brass instruments. He said his teaching style focuses on inspiring passion among students.

“I love band. I love working with young students, sharing knowledge and getting them excited about music,” he said.

“I just like to be very open. We have to have good connections, I think,” he said. “Actually get to know my students so there’s that transparency between us. I like to get engaged with the students, like ‘What do you want to accomplish?’ Because, at the end of the day, I can only accomplish what they want.”

Swisher added that he brings energy and passion to the job.

“I just get everyone super-excited for band time and class,” Swisher said.

He plans to continue the high achievements of the music program.

“A couple goals I have in mind is I want to qualify for state (contest) with the marching band, I’d eventually like to qualify for state with the concert band. I want to get as many kids as I can involved with Solo and Ensemble (competition), which is an Ohio Music Educators Assocation event,” he said. “I really want kids to start branching out and into some honor bands.”

Swisher is preparing to begin teaching classes and is meeting his fellow faculty members.

Originally from Wellston, Ohio, he is moving to Dillonvale in the near future.

“I’m hoping all the kids have a lot of fun,” he said. “We can get excited for the competition season. I want to go to state. … I think if me and the kids put our heads together and work real hard, there’s definitely a chance to make it.”

In other district news, high school secretary Sandra Snyder is retiring, effective July 31, after 26 years working for the district.