Benedictine College Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer has announced that Director of Athletic Bands Sean York will be stepping down from his position. 

"Sean has been a wonderful asset to our department and to the college overall," Gartenmayer said. "In five years, he recruited and built the program into a band of 185 students. We are going to miss Sean and want to wish him the greatest success possible moving forward with his future plans."

Bret Parker, who joined the program in the fall as an assistant to York has been named the Interim Director of Athletic Bands. 

A 2011 graduate of Benedictine College York brought his degree in Music Education back to Benedictine to build the Athletic Bands program into what is known today.

"I want to thank Charlie Gartenmayer and President Stephen Minnis for giving me the opportunity, support, and resources to embark on this new initiative," York said. "It was a dream come true to return to my alma mater and begin a marching band. I know the program will continue to reach new heights through the school's leadership and will form musicians of the highest quality, not only musically, but in character."

While Parker will serve as the Interim Director, Gartenmayer stated that a national search will be conducted for the next Director of Athletic Bands.

"I am honored and humbled to be named the Interim Director of Athletic Bands at Benedictine College," Parker said. "My predecessor, Sean York, has worked hard and laid a solid foundation for Athletic Bands at Benedictine. I will strive to build on that great work with the fantastic student musicians of the band program. I believe that with my vision for excellence in the musical and visual arts, and through their hard work and dedication, we will move forward in true Raven style."

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