Profile for Justin Davis

Justin Davis profile photo

Contact me

Justin Davis

Assistant Professor
Music University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

FriendlyFace badge
SOEFaculty badge

Specialty area(s)

Director of Instrumental Studies

Conductor: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Orchestra

Coach: Chamber Music

Instructor: Applied Horn and Conducting  

Brief biography

Conductor and music director, Justin Davis, is a versatile artist and educator who is respected on the concert hall stage, in the musical theater/opera pit and the marching field. Dr. Davis is Director of Instrumental Music at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he directs the wind ensemble, orchestra and teaches conducting and horn. Dr. Davis has been recognized nationally for his conducting as a semi-finalist for Opera conducting in The American Prize (2015). He holds the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and both a MM in conducting and BA in Music Education from Western Illinois University. His ensembles were recognized with Superior ratings at Music Performance Assessments and he has many students who remain musical in their lives. He has conducted professional and student groups in Tennessee, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Illinois and Florida. He has also led his ensembles on international and national performance tours to Canada and the United States. He is a member of NafME, National Band Association, Conductors Guild, International Horn Society and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Current courses at UWL

Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Basic Conducting, Advanced Conducting and Field 1, Applied Horn.

Education

D.M.A.in Instrumental Conducting w/ cognate in Music Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2013)

M.M. in Conducting , Western Illinois University (2009)

B.A. in Music Education, Western Illinois University (1999)

Career

Teaching history

Over twenty years in music education at the high school and collegiate level being taught by my students who are simply the best people in the world.

Research and publishing

Research interests fall within reading strategies and music intersections, the music of Steven Bryant, harmoniemusik ensembles of the European aristocracy, and supporting ALL people as musicians and human beings.

Kudos

served

Courtney Warax, New Student & Family Programs; Lisa Klein, Community Engagement; Scott Brown, Facilities Planning & Management; Chelsea Wyman, Murphy Library; Justin Davis, Music; Willem Vanroosenbeek, Pride Center; Nathan Barnhart, Rec Sports; Laurie Harmon, Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation; Jenni Brundage and Andie Coxey, both Residence Life; Jamie Henk, Student Association student; Kyle Burke, Magann Dykema, Drea Higgins, Michael Slevin and Corey Stilwell, all University Centers; Kaylie Connaughty and Maren Walz, both University Marketing & Communications; and Gabrielle Smartt, Wellness, Health Advocacy; served on the Eagle Fest Planning Committee. The planning committee was responsible for Eagle Fest, a festival full of music, entertainment, food, and fun. It was an exciting opportunity for all students, faculty, staff, family members and local community neighbors to come together and celebrate the beginning of the fall semester!

Submitted on: Sept. 13, 2021

 

directed

Justin Davis, Music, conducted "Letters and Dances" on March 26 at Viterbo University. The UWL Wind Ensemble concert, "Letters and Dances", featuring the world premiere of the piece "Letters from the Traveling Doll" written by composer Nicole Piunno for chamber wind ensemble. Based on the story of author Franz Kafka the piece in five movements is a wonderful musical portrayal of the story of Kafka finding a young girl in the park crying after her doll was lost. He brings back to the girl letters from the doll, telling of adventures. Finally, he brings the girl a new doll, explaining that the new doll is the old one, but changed from the experiences. The world premiere was filmed at the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center following social distancing protocols and premiered on the UWL Music Facebook and YouTube channels.

Submitted on: Mar. 29, 2021

 

presented

Justin Davis, Music, presented "Conducting NOW for Orchestral Artistry" at Illinois Music DuPage Co. (IL) Professional Development on Feb. 26 online. He shared techniques and methods to keep our bodies healthy as conductors with the orchestral music teachers in this suburban Chicago district.

Submitted on: Mar. 1, 2021

 

presented

Justin Davis, Music, presented "Conducting Now for your future: A Marathon, not a Sprint!" at Illinois Music Education Conference on Friday, Jan. 31 in Peoria, IL.

Submitted on: Jan. 28, 2020

 

served

Justin Davis and Tammy Fisher, both Music, sponsored and transported eight UWL band members to participate in the 2020 National Band Association-WI Intercollegiate Band at this year's conference in Oshkosh. These eight students were selected on merit to perform with peers from around the state and is the largest contingent from UWL to attend in ten years.

Submitted on: Jan. 28, 2020