Founded in 1996 as a small community concert band, the Kennesaw State University Band Program has grown rapidly, expanding to five major ensembles supporting over 450 participating students. The KSU Bands include auditioned concert ensembles, like the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony, non-auditioned concert ensembles, like the University Band, and auditioned athletic bands, like “The Marching Owls” and the KSU Basketball Band.
All ensembles are comprised of the finest music majors in the School of Music as well
as students representing every college and degree program on the Kennesaw and Marietta
campuses. Through the growth of musical excellence fostered by conductors and countless
musicians, the KSU Bands continue to grow into one of the largest collegiate programs
in the state of Georgia.
Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble
Formed in 1996, the Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble performs a diverse repertoire encompassing large works for band, wind ensemble repertoire, and chamber music. The KSU Wind Ensemble continues to lead in supporting and creating consortiums for the development of new music, which have included the creation of new works by Steven Bryant, Paul Dooley, Geoffrey Gordon, Zhou Long, David Maslanka, Michael Markowski, Carter Pann, Joel Puckett, James Stephenson, Christopher Theofanidis, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Joseph Schwantner. In addition, leading composers continue to come to KSU in composer residencies and work directly with the Ensemble and its students.
Because of KSU’s continued close relationship with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Symphony Orchestra, and Atlanta Opera Orchestra, collaborations and performances have resulted in many of those principal players. The KSU Wind Ensemble is an important musical voice in the Atlanta Metropolitan area and has been featured frequently on 90.1 FM (WABE- Atlanta public radio).
In 2012 and 2016 the KSU Wind Ensemble was a selected and featured ensemble at the
Southern Division College Band Directors National Association Conferences, and in
2017, were featured at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in Athens,
Georgia. In addition, the KSU Wind Ensemble was the Winner of the 2013 American Prize
for best wind ensemble/concert band performance in the United States, and in 2016,
released its first professional recording under the Centaur recording label featuring
the music of Chen Yi.
Kennesaw State University Wind Symphony
The KSU Wind Symphony (MUSI 3345) offers music majors, minors, and non-music majors
the opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform advanced literature for the wind band
medium. Membership in the Wind Symphony is by audition only and occurs at the beginning
of the academic year and before the start of the second semester. The course is taken
for one credit hour. Non-majors with questions about registration in these ensembles
for credit should contact the ensemble director for assistance.
Kennesaw State University Band
The University Band (MUSI 3341) offers student musicians from all majors and disciplines
the opportunity to rehearse and perform wind literature in an ensemble setting. There
is no audition for membership in the University Band, but prior instrumental experience
and a commitment to attend all rehearsals and performances are required of all participating
musicians. The course is one credit hour. Non-majors with questions about registration
in these ensembles for credit should contact the ensemble director for assistance.
"The Marching Owls" Kennesaw State University Marching Band
“The Marching Owls” began their inaugural season in the Fall of 2015 and consists of students from across campus representing almost all majors and degree areas on campus. Membership in the marching band is attained through audition.
We invite you to learn more about the Kennesaw State University Marching Band and the philosophy, structure, and audition process for "The Marching Owls."
For more information, please email Dr. Brandon Meeks.
Faculty and Staff
Name
Position
David KehlerDirector of Bands and Professor of Music
David Kehler serves as director of bands and professor of music at Kennesaw State University’s Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music, where he is music director and conductor of the KSU Wind Ensemble. Kehler was the recipient of the KSU College of Arts 2020 Teaching Award and the 2021 Research and Creative Activity Award. Kehler also serves as music director and conductor of the Atlanta Wind Symphony (AWS), a position he has held since 2017. Previously, Kehler served as associate conductor of The Dallas Winds and served as founder and conductor of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony. Previous academic appointments include Southern Methodist University, the University of Rhode Island, and Bay City Western High School (MI). Dr. Kehler holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Roush holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, and a doctor of musical arts degree in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University. He has studied conducting with Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. Emily Threinen, and Dr. Linda Moorhouse, and in 2019 he was chosen as one of 12 Conducting Fellows at the Midwest Clinic’s Reynolds Conducting Institute.
Prior to completing his graduate studies and arriving at Kennesaw State, Dr. Roush was an active music educator in the public schools of Illinois, serving from 2013-2019 as Band Director for the North Clay and Neoga School Districts. In these roles, he taught band for grades 4-12, guiding his students from their first sounds until their high school graduation. During this time, the bands under his direction consistently sent students to Illinois All-District and All-State festivals, received high marks from adjudicators, and were selected multiple times to perform at state-level athletic competitions.
He currently maintains active memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education.
Brandon Meeks is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is currently the director of athletic bands and assistant professor of music education at Kennesaw State University. He is a graduate of Florida State University where he received his Ph.D. and master’s in music education. He is also a graduate of Western Carolina University where he received a Bachelor of Science in music education. From 2009-2016, he served as the director of bands at East Lincoln Middle School in Iron Station, North Carolina. Dr. Meeks is a National Board-Certified Teacher, holds honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, was named the 2013 East Lincoln Middle School Teacher of the Year, and was named the 2016 North Carolina South Central Bandmasters Young Director Award for Excellence. He is an active presenter across the Southeast and currently resides in Woodstock, Georgia.
