New Artist-in-Residence Joins Purdue Bands & Orchestras
Dr. David Blon will join Purdue Bands & Orchestras in a one-year position as Artist-in-Residence beginning in August 2019. David received his Bachelor of Music at Slippery Rock University, his Master of Music at Youngstown State University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Prior to pursuing his doctoral degree, David was Director of the University of Hawai’i Symphonic Band and the “Rainbow Warrior” Marching Band. Most recently, he served as the Graduate Teaching and Conducting Assistant for the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. For the past three summers, he was the Ensemble Manager for the World Youth Wind Symphony at Interlochen Center for the Arts. His professional experience and academic success will provide a wealth of knowledge as he works with the students in Purdue Bands & Orchestras.
As Artist-in-Residence, David will live in Shreve Hall, where the Purdue Bands & Orchestras Learning Communities are also housed. His responsibilities will include assisting in the daily operations of the Purdue concert band program, coaching and directing various chamber ensembles, serving as the primary conductor for one concert band in the fall and spring, assisting with the Purdue Wind Ensemble in the fall and spring semesters, and coordinating and implementing programming in cooperation with University Residences. The 2019-2020 academic year will be the first time in recent history Purdue Bands & Orchestras has hosted an Artist-in Residence.
The Artist-in-Residence program is one of the primary programs to fulfill the Residential Academic Initiatives at Purdue University. The Artist-in-Residence lives in the residential community for two important reasons:
- The integration of a faculty member in the community elevates the intellectual dialogue and civil discourse of the residential environment.
- The mentorships and relationships built between residents and faculty as part of this program are instrumental in increasing retention and graduation rates of students.
Please help us welcome Dr. David Blon to Purdue Bands & Orchestras.
