Jay Bocook
Encyclopedia
Jay Bocook is a professional composer and arranger, and also the Director of Athletic Bands at Furman University
in Greenville, South Carolina
. He was born in Maryville, Tennessee
in 1953 and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in 1975, and went on to receive a Master of Music degree from University of Louisiana at Monroe, formerly Northeast Louisiana University. He is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
, the national men's music fraternity. Bocook became a Sinfonian at Furman University, joining the Gamma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in 1972. He was also inducted into the Theta Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota
as a National Arts Associate in 2006.
Mr. Bocook began his composing and arranging career in graduate school, and began to write for Jenson publications while serving as the band director at a small but well-known high school in Travelers Rest, South Carolina
, leading them to become the South Carolina AAA state marching band champions in 1978. He served as the Director of Bands at Furman University from 1982 until 1989, where he continued his rise to fame as an arranger. His arrangements were featured at the 1984, 1988, 1996, and 2002 Olympic Games
. He writes for a wide range of ensembles, from elementary bands to the United States Marine Band
. He was recently inducted in the ABA (American Bandmasters Association), and in 2009, was inducted into the DCI (Drum Corps International) Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the (SCBDA) South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame
In addition to serving as Furman's Director of Athletic Bands, Mr. Bocook works as a staff composer/arranger for Hal Leonard
. He is also the chief arranger for the ten-time DCI World Champion drum corps, the Cadets
, and the eight-time DCA World Champion drum corps, Reading Buccaneers
. He also composes music exclusively for a select group of high schools. Namely the Avon High School Marching Band of Avon, IN, three time Grand National Champions and 9 time ISSMA State Champions. Mr. Bocook is also a regular arranger for the Lassiter HS Marching Band of Marietta, GA (two-time BOA Grand National Champions), Wando HS Band of Mount Pleasant, SC (SCBDA 5A State Champions), Lexington HS Band of Lexington, SC (SCBDA 5A State Champions), Dartmouth HS Band of Dartmouth MA (two-time USSBA National Champions), North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale PA, Bridgewater-Raritan HS of Bridgewater NJ, the James F. Byrnes Rebel Regiment Band of Duncan, SC (BOA Regional Champion and SCBDA 4A State Champions). Since 2008 he has arranged for the Fort Mill HS Band of Fort Mill, SC (SCBDA 3A, 4A State Champions), and Lafayette HS of Lexington KY (BOA Regional Champion and KMEA 5A State Champions). Mr. Bocook also conducts and composes for the Carolina Pops Orchestra. http://www.carolinapops.com.
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. He was born in Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville is the county seat of Blount County, Tennessee, in the Southeastern United States. The city is located south of Knoxville. Maryville's population was 27,258 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. Maryville has received a number of accolades for its...
in 1953 and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University in 1975, and went on to receive a Master of Music degree from University of Louisiana at Monroe, formerly Northeast Louisiana University. He is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
, the national men's music fraternity. Bocook became a Sinfonian at Furman University, joining the Gamma Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia in 1972. He was also inducted into the Theta Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota , International Music Fraternity for Women. Formed to "uphold the highest standards of music" and "to further the development of music in America and throughout the world", it continues to provide musical and educational resources to its members and the general public...
as a National Arts Associate in 2006.
Mr. Bocook began his composing and arranging career in graduate school, and began to write for Jenson publications while serving as the band director at a small but well-known high school in Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Travelers Rest is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,099 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. "TR", as the city is known around the area, is just north of Greenville...
, leading them to become the South Carolina AAA state marching band champions in 1978. He served as the Director of Bands at Furman University from 1982 until 1989, where he continued his rise to fame as an arranger. His arrangements were featured at the 1984, 1988, 1996, and 2002 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. He writes for a wide range of ensembles, from elementary bands to the United States Marine Band
United States Marine Band
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States...
. He was recently inducted in the ABA (American Bandmasters Association), and in 2009, was inducted into the DCI (Drum Corps International) Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the (SCBDA) South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame
In addition to serving as Furman's Director of Athletic Bands, Mr. Bocook works as a staff composer/arranger for Hal Leonard
Hal Leonard Publishing Co
Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation is the world’s largest music print publisher as well as the world’s largest educational music publisher, producing songbooks, sheet music, educational publications, reference books, DVDs, CD-ROMs, children’s music products and more...
. He is also the chief arranger for the ten-time DCI World Champion drum corps, the Cadets
The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps
The Cadets are a Drum Corps International World Class drum and bugle corps based in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
, and the eight-time DCA World Champion drum corps, Reading Buccaneers
Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps
The Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps is an all-age or senior drum and bugle corps based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Buccaneers, also known by the nickname The Bucs, are charter members of Drum Corps Associates.-Pre-DCA :...
. He also composes music exclusively for a select group of high schools. Namely the Avon High School Marching Band of Avon, IN, three time Grand National Champions and 9 time ISSMA State Champions. Mr. Bocook is also a regular arranger for the Lassiter HS Marching Band of Marietta, GA (two-time BOA Grand National Champions), Wando HS Band of Mount Pleasant, SC (SCBDA 5A State Champions), Lexington HS Band of Lexington, SC (SCBDA 5A State Champions), Dartmouth HS Band of Dartmouth MA (two-time USSBA National Champions), North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale PA, Bridgewater-Raritan HS of Bridgewater NJ, the James F. Byrnes Rebel Regiment Band of Duncan, SC (BOA Regional Champion and SCBDA 4A State Champions). Since 2008 he has arranged for the Fort Mill HS Band of Fort Mill, SC (SCBDA 3A, 4A State Champions), and Lafayette HS of Lexington KY (BOA Regional Champion and KMEA 5A State Champions). Mr. Bocook also conducts and composes for the Carolina Pops Orchestra. http://www.carolinapops.com.