It’s a fresh start for the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band with the appointment of band director Russell Gavin, formerly an associate professor of music education/band at Baylor University.
Band manager Cassidy Forler, ’18, told Stanford News, “We are all very excited to be hiring Russ as our new Band director. He has just the right amount of gusto for the position and his enthusiasm for music and music education has me eager to see him working more closely with our members, advanced and beginner players alike.” Noted Gavin, “It is clear the Band is a very special organization, supported by very special people, at a very special place.”
Gavin has worked with numerous youth, school and university music groups. He holds a PhD in music education from Florida State and a master’s in euphonium performance from Notre Dame. His Stanford appointment is within the department of athletics; he will also be an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education.
The search committee included student Band leaders, Band alumni, and staff from Student Affairs and Stanford Athletics. Gavin’s appointment follows the Band’s suspension last year, and a period when members worked with an oversight committee, the Title IX Office, and the Office of Alcohol Policy and Education.
