Purdue’s Jay Gephart to serve as president of American Bandmasters Association

Jay S. Gephart, director of Purdue University Bands, adds to accomplishments as president of the American Bandmasters Association. (Purdue University Bands & Orchestras photo) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University professor Jay S. Gephart was named president of the American Bandmasters Association at its recent 86^th annual convention in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gephart steps into this new role after being elected in 2018 as vice president of the ABA.

The American Bandmasters Association, founded in 1929 with John Philip Sousa as honorary life president, recognizes outstanding achievement on the part of concert band conductors and composers. The current membership (invitational) comprises approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the United States and Canada, and 80 associate members (music businesses and corporations that provide significant services to bands and to the publication of band music).

This marks the second time the director of bands at Purdue University has been elected to this prestigious role. Purdue Bands director Al G. Wright served as president in 1981.

Gephart serves as the director of bands and the Al G. Wright Chair for Purdue Bands & Orchestras. Taking on the role of ABA president comes just months after Gephart was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, one of the highest honors in the state of Indiana. More information on the ABA is available here. Gephart’s full bio is available here.

Media contact: Aaron Yoder, director, external relations, Purdue Bands & Orchestras, 765-496-3288, yoder50@purdue.edu 

Note to Journalists: A photograph of Jay S. Gephart directing Purdue University Bands is available at https://purdue.university/33B4OSX.