Directors
Dr. David T. Kehler, Director of Bands
Previously, David Kehler served The University of Texas at Austin as a Graduate Conducting Associate receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. From 2001-2009, Dr. Kehler served as Associate Conductor of America’s Premier Windband: The Dallas Winds where he was the director of the Dallas Winds International Fanfare Project. In addition, Dr. Kehler conducted the Dallas Winds throughout Texas, including the annual Labor Day Concert at the Dallas Arboretum, various Chautauqua festivals, holiday concerts, and a formal gala presented by the United States Armed Forces with all of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in attendance.
While in Texas, Dr. Kehler was also Founder and Conductor of the GDYO Wind Symphony, an ensemble affiliated with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc. During his ten years of service, the GDYO Wind Symphony established itself as one of the premier youth wind ensembles in the United States. They were a featured ensemble at the Texas Bandmasters Association/National Band Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas, and were heard internationally on “From the Top”, a syndicated radio program featuring the finest young classical musicians in the country. In addition, the GDYO Wind Symphony participated in exchange concerts with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and performed with Jeff Nelson, former horn of the Canadian Brass. In the summer of 2008, the GDYO Wind Symphony embarked on an extensive two-week tour of China, performing at all of the major music conservatories throughout China and Hong Kong.
Previous academic appointments were at Southern Methodist University, the University of Rhode Island, and Bay City Western High School, in Bay City, Michigan. Growing up in Michigan, Dr. Kehler received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Conducting degrees from Michigan State University, followed by his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Kehler currently serves as Vice-President for the College Band Directors National Association-Southern Division, and has memberships in many musical organizations including CBDNA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, GMEA, Conductor’s Guild and others. David Kehler continues to be active as a guest conductor and clinician for both high schools and universities throughout the United States, including recent engagements at Florida State University, McNeese State University, University of Georgia, University of Missouri, and the University of Rhode Island.
Dr. Brandon Meeks, Director of Athletic Bands/Associate Director of Bands
Dr. David Roush, Assistant Director of Bands
David Roush is currently serving as Assistant Director of Bands and Lecturer of Bands
at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. In this capacity he acts as conductor
of the Wind Symphony and University Band, assists in the direction of the Marching
Owls, and teaches courses in the music education curriculum.
Prior to completing his graduate studies and arriving at Kennesaw State, David 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, David
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.
David 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.
David currently maintains active memberships in the College Band Director’s National
Association, National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education.