Gary Sousa, Ph.D.
Gary Sousa is the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As Director of Bands, Professor Sousa conducts the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in conducting and repertoire, directs the graduate program in Wind Conducting, and oversees the entire band and program, consisting of concert bands, athletic bands, and The Pride of the Southland Marching Band. Prior to accepting this appointment, Dr. Sousa was Director of Bands at Sam Houston State University from 1988 until 1997, and Associate Director of Bands at Baylor University from 1982 until 1986.
Under Sousa's leadership, concert ensembles have received critical acclaim from both composers and conductors alike. His bands' performances at state, regional, and national conferences, as well as numerous compact disc recordings, and a recent performance in Carnegie Hall, have drawn praise for excellence in performance, interpretation, and creative programming. In particular, his work has been heralded by Pulitzer Prize composers Karel Husa, Michael Colgrass and David Del Tredici, and renowned composers Joseph Turrin, Eric Ewazen, Donald Grantham, Dana Wilson, Dan Welcher, Ron Nelson, Fisher Tull, and Cindy McTee for outstanding preparation, performance, and interpretation of their music.
Dr. Sousa began his teaching career in 1976 in Weston, Connecticut where he taught at both the junior and senior high school levels. Professor Sousa received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Rhode Island. He received both his master's and doctorate from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio under the tutelage of Craig Kirchhoff.
Dr. Sousa maintains an active schedule as guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States and Canada. He is listed in multiple editions of Who's Who Among America's Teachers and Who's Who in America , and holds memberships in many organizations including The American Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Clinic: Non-verbal Communication and the Conductor: Do Your Students Really Understand What You Are Saying?