New Director of Bands at Tarleton State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 30, 2018
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Following a national search, Tarleton State University has named Dr. David Robinson its director of bands. He starts Sept. 1.
Robinson comes to Tarleton from McMurry University in Abilene, where he currently serves as director of bands and assistant professor of music. He also conducts the McMurry Wind Ensemble and is director of the McMurry Marching War Hawks Band.
His teaching assignments include classes in conducting, music education, saxophone and advanced music theory. Under his leadership, the Marching War Hawks were in the 2016 London New Year’s Day Parade, and the wind ensemble participated in a 2018 gala concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
“I am humbled by my appointment as Tarleton’s new director of bands. I am already impressed with the quality and culture of the Tarleton experience, and I look forward to leading one of the university’s most visible institutions,” said Robinson. “I look forward to being in Stephenville as the Tarleton bands celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2019!”
Robinson received his doctor of musical arts in wind conducting from the University of North Texas, where he served as a teaching fellow in the renowned wind studies program. He holds the master of music in wind band conducting degree from the University of Missouri and a bachelor of music education degree in instrumental music from Arkansas State University.
He is a conducting student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon and Thomas O’Neal. From 2009-2012, he served as assistant conductor of the Dallas-based Lone Star Wind Orchestra.
At the University of Missouri, Robinson was a member of the MTNA national chamber music finalist Contreras Saxophone Quartet. His teaching experience includes positions with bands in the Wynne and Jonesboro public schools, both recipients of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association’s sweepstakes trophies during his tenure.
An active clinician, composer, performer and author, Robinson’s Fantasy on St. Jameswas commissioned for and premiered by the Marion (Ark.) High School Saxophone Quartet at the 2005 American School Band Directors Association national convention. He is a contributing author to Volumes 7, 8, 9 and 11 of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series and was recording editor for Teaching Music Through Performance in and: Solos with Wind and Accompaniment.
His professional affiliations include membership in the College Band Directors National Association, the Texas Music Educators Association and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, as well as honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
“We are very lucky to have Dr. Robinson join the Tarleton fine arts family,” said Dr. Kelly Lemmons, interim department head. “I also want to sincerely thank Dr. Gary Westbrook for serving as interim director of bands following the departure of Dr. Anthony Pursell. He has done a tremendous job, and has gone above and beyond in the requests that have been made of him.”
For more information on bands at Tarleton State University, visit www.tarleton.edu/colfaweb/bandor call 254-968-9439.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience, marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. Offering degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students, Tarleton engages with communities through real-world learning experiences to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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Contact: Kurt Mogonye, Senior Communications Specialist
254-968-9460
mogonye@tarleton.edu
