KU announces new director of bands

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Department of Music and Dance announces the appointment of John P. Lynch as director of bands. Lynch will assume the responsibilities of the position in August.

"I am very excited to be joining the Department of Music and Dance as well as the KU and Lawrence communities," Lynch said. "I look forward to contributing to the rich band tradition at the University of Kansas."

Lynch comes to KU from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he is the associate director of bands. At Northwestern, his responsibilities include conducting the symphonic band, teaching conducting to undergraduate and graduate students, teaching graduate wind literature courses and secondary instrumental methods, and supervising student teachers.

An active clinician, guest conductor and composer, Lynch is music director of the Northshore Concert Band in Wilmette, Ill., which in addition to a regular season series, gives summer concerts and performs at national conventions and the Cantigny and Wheaton summer festivals. The Northshore Concert Band is considered one of the premiere adult concert bands in America. Lynch has commissioned and premiered several works and has recorded two compact discs.

As a clarinetist, he has performed in the New York City area with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the Suburban Symphony and numerous chamber ensembles. Lynch has conducted throughout the United States and Europe.

"We are extremely pleased with the appointment of John Lynch as KU director of bands," said Larry Mallett, chair of the Department of Music and Dance. "Dr. Lynch has quickly become one of the rising stars of band conducting in the country. That we were able to attract and select him from an excellent pool of national candidates speaks not only to the national reputation of our band program but also to the quality of KU as an institution. Dr. Lynch has an outstanding reputation of working with public school band directors and young musicians. I look forward to his leadership of the KU band program."

Lynch began his career teaching in the public schools in New York state. During his tenure as a high school band director, he founded and conducted the Orange County (N.Y.) Music Educators Association Wind Ensemble. Before becoming the associate director of bands at Northwestern University, Lynch was director of instrumental music at Emory University in Atlanta. While in Atlanta he was music director of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony.

Lynch earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Indiana University; a master's degree in music education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.; and a doctor of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

During his career, Lynch has received numerous honors and awards. He is the national recipient of the Stanburg Award for outstanding teaching and conducting, and he was named a Searle junior fellow for teaching excellence at Northwestern University.

For more information on Lynch or to schedule a telephone interview, contact Vickie Hamilton-Smith at (785) 864-9742.