Dr. Kirk J. Weller, who has led music ensembles across the nation, has been named Director of Bands at Rogers State University.
Weller will coordinate the new RSU music program, which features pep band, jazz band and concert band.
He has served as band and music director at high schools and colleges across the nation, including Paso Robles High School in Paso Robles, Calif., Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Calif., North George College and State University in Dahlonega, Ga., Fairmont State College in Fairmont, W.Va., Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., University of Arkansas at Monticello and Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., as well as high schools in California and Georgia.
He has developed and led music ensembles at educational institutions, including orchestras, marching bands and jazz ensembles, and has taught classes in virtually all facets of music, including aural theory, music education and music appreciation.
Weller received a doctor of musical arts in instrumental music with a conducting emphasis from Arizona State University, a master of music in music education with a conducting emphasis from Northwestern University and a bachelor of arts in music from California State University in Chico.
The title of his doctoral dissertation was “Sound Sources in Successful College Instrumental Conducting Programs.”
He served as a special guest conductor for the wind ensemble at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif., for their performance which received the Gold Award at the New York City Wind Band Festival, at Carnegie Hall in New York.
He completed a conducting symposium at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and has served as guest clinician and conductor for many public school bands and ensembles. He also has served as an adjudicator for jazz ensemble, concert band and solo and ensemble festivals across the nation. In addition, Weller has been active in the Music Educator’s National Conference and the College Band Directors National Association, where he is on the Small College and Community College Band Task Force, serving as chair from 1996 to 2004.
He plays the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, and has completed a saxophone master class with Dr. Fred Hemke, as well as having played with various bands and symphony orchestras.
He also serves as vocal soloist, church choir director and was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Lanier Singers.
For more information on the RSU music program, contact Weller at (918) 343-7723.