Richard Bundy’s successor as Blue Band director is one step closer to being named. According to sources within the Blue Band, the selection committee has narrowed down the list to three finalists: Gregory Drane (Penn State), Kyle Glaser (Texas State), and Michael Robinson (Georgia).

The three candidates will be on campus within the next two weeks for three day interviews to meet with the band and tour the facilities. A decision will be made later this semester on who will replace the retiring Bundy after 18 years at the helm of the Blue Band.

Drane, who is perhaps the internal favorite among Blue Band members I’ve spoken to, has been with the Blue Band since 2002, serving as its assistant director since 2005. He has a master’s degree from Penn State and is currently working on a doctorate.

Glaser, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State in 1998 and was a member of the Blue Band, is the current director of athletic bands at Texas State University. He previously worked as the associate instructor of bands at Indiana University.

Robinson, who has three degrees from the University of Miami, is the current band director at the University of Georgia. He previously worked with the bands at Miami and the University of South Florida.

UPDATE (2:08 p.m.)

Jon Ford, the president of the Blue Band Alumni Association, sent an email to the Alumni Association mass email list, calling this report “just rumors.”

“I’m sure many of you have seen the article on Onward State today, regarding the Finalist to replace Dr. Bundy,” Ford wrote, in part. “As many of you care so much for the Blue Band organization and want to ensure that right person is chosen for the impossible task of succeeding Dr. Bundy, at this time, these are just rumors.”

However, shortly after this report was published, Blue Band president Stephen Payne sent an email to the entire band confirming the three finalist’s names. Onward State has obtained that email.

“We are very happy with the search committee’s decision to include such a robust Blue Band component in the evaluation process, which means all of us have a great opportunity to provide feedback,” Payne wrote, in part, along with the three finalist’s curriculum vitaes attached.

Payne’s email also included a message from Sue Haug, the Director of the School of Music, which provided the interview schedules for the three candidates.

“We are pleased to announce the interview schedule for three finalists for the Director of Athletic Bands/Music Education position,” Haug wrote. “On behalf of the Search Committee, I thank you in advance for your participation in this important process.”

So, yeah, not “just rumors.”