Jay S. Gephart

Al G. Wright Chair, Director of Bands

Jay S. Gephart has been a faculty member of Purdue University since fall 1995. He currently serves as director of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band and the Purdue Wind Ensemble.

Under Gephart's direction, the Purdue Wind Ensemble has shared the stage with some of the nation's outstanding soloists and has represented Purdue at national and state conventions. Some of the ensembles' notable performances were on the stages of Chicago's Symphony Center and the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Gephart has elevated the national and international reputation of the "All-American" Marching Band since being appointed director. In 2010, the band became the first in the Big Ten to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has led the band in numerous international performances, including concerts in China, Ireland and Colombia.

Gephart has been very active in various professional organizations. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, president of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and as a member of the NBA Revelli Composition Contest selection committee.

Gephart received a Master of Music in Performance degree with high distinction from Indiana University in 1988 after completing his Bachelor of Music Education degree with distinction, also from Indiana, in 1983.

He and his wife, Jana, have four children and two grandchildren.