By Mubarrat Choudhury
Senior Andrew Ly looked up at his director Tim Linley, ready to practice his UIL piece for the final time with him before Linley left Richardson. After two and a half years as Richardson’s Head Band Director and Fine Arts Coordinator, Linley assumed his new position as the Director of Instrumental Music for Dallas ISD on January 1st.
The position at DISD became open in August 2014. In November, Linley was contacted to schedule an interview. After consulting with his colleagues and family members, Linley accepted the position.
“When I was initially contacted about this potential opportunity, my initial reaction was ‘no thanks’ – I told them I was happy here in Richardson, and that I could not consider any position which would take me away from the students during marching season,” Linley said. “After going and talking with them, learning more about the position and having long discussions with my family and fellow band directors who have made the move to central administration, my wife and I came to the tremendously difficult decision that this was the best decision for us.”
Many band students said Linley had a positive influence on them.
“He’s been my band director since sophomore year, and he always pushes us to be the best that we could be,” Ly said. “It saddens me that he is leaving us.”
Associate band director Jesus Marquez assumed Linley’s duties in an interim capacity. He will conduct the Symphonic Winds and run the daily program business. Assistant directors David Schmuck and Matthew Schaul will help Marquez and step up to the Symphonic Winds and the Symphonic Band.
“Mr. Marquez has been a great interim band director so far,” senior Kelly Jones said. “He’s even proposed some new ideas for the band like having the Wind Symphony going to the junior highs and playing with them for a whole day.”
As of January 1st, Linley is in charge of administrating the Band and Orchestra programs across DISD.
“This is truly a difficult decision, and despite how much it saddens me to leave the fantastic Golden Eagle Band, I am very excited by this new opportunity and promotion,” Linley said.