Frank Wickes isn’t leaving Tiger Band members in unfamiliar hands when he retires in June from his positions as director of bands and co-director of Tiger Band after 30 years.The College of Music and Dramatic Arts named co-director of Tiger Band Linda Moorhouse as the new director of Tiger Band on April 5.But Moorhouse will not fill Wickes’ other role.Wickes said Moorhouse felt the program was going in a different direction than what she liked, and she didn’t want to accept the position of director of bands.”I think in this financial crisis, she chose to stick to her comfort zone,” Wickes said. “Her heart is with the Tiger Band.”The search for a new director of bands is ongoing. A committee has reviewed three candidates for the position.Students believed the first candidate didn’t have the proper experience and was eliminated by the provost, said drum major Rob Dowie. The second turned down the position. No decision has been made on the third candidate.The search will continue into next semester if the third candidate isn’t appointed.”Mr. Wickes has been a powerful leader,” Dowie said. “Without a director of bands, there is no administrative oversight.”But Tiger Band members can take solace in Moorhouse’s experience.”I’ve been in the band for six years,” Dowie said. “She’s been running the band the whole time. I guess they’re just removing the ‘co’ from her title.”Moorhouse has been a member of the University faculty since 1985. She took about three years leave for personal study from 1993 to 1995 and from 1997 to 1998. She has been the co-director of Tiger Band and conductor of the LSU Symphonic Winds since her return.Moorhouse is the first woman director in the history of the 117-year-old program. The band was formed in 1893 by two student cadets, Wylie M. Barro and Ruffin G. Pleasant, and contained 11 members. Tiger Band now consists of 325 students with about 80 percent majoring outside  music. The band was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.Danielle Hardy, captain of the Golden Girls, feels the success of the band and the dance team can be attributed to Moorhouse’s high expectations and leadership abilities.”If it weren’t for her involvement, Tiger Band would not be as prestigious of an organization as it is,” Hardy said. “She works tirelessly, pushing us, making us an even more talented group each year.”Wickes has had experience with Moorhouse both as a student and a co-worker.”She was a freshman in my class at the University of Florida,” Wickes said. “She also did some work with the Gator Band.”Moorhouse received many awards for her teaching and conducting skills, including an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University’s School of Music, a Scroll of Excellence and a Silver Baton. She has also received a University Tiger Athletic Foundation President’s Award. Moorhouse has a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Florida, a Master of Music Education Degree from the University and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Washington. –Contact Mandy Francois at [email protected]