Herberger College School of Music appoints new associate director of bands

WHAT: Appointment of new ASU Sun Devil Marching Band director

Wayne Bailey, director of the School of Music in the Herberger College of Fine Arts at ASU, announces the appointment of Martin Province as the new associate director of bands.

“Martin Province is one of the best-respected band directors in the country,” says Bailey. “His experience with marching bands is extensive and he is an excellent conductor and musician. We are very happy to be able to add him to our faculty.”

One of Province’s most visible responsibilities is to serve as director of the Sun Devil Marching Band. “I am looking forward to being at ASU and to be associated with one of the top schools of music in the country,” says Province. “I will enjoy carrying on the traditions of the Sun Devil Marching Band and working with a dedicated music faculty, especially those involved in the band program.”

“I am certain that Professor Province will be an excellent leader of the Sun Devil Marching Band,” notes Bailey. “He understands the traditions of ASU and still will be able to bring something new to the presentation of the band.”

Province comes to ASU from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, where he was associate director of bands and director of the Cyclone Marching Band, as well as conductor of the ISU Symphonic Band, supervising the Basketball Pep Bands and teaching music education courses. He holds a degree in music education from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and a master’s degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Colorado (CU). He will complete his doctorate of musical arts degree in instrumental conducting from CU in December. Province has taught in the public schools of North Carolina and served as director of bands at Wake Forest University prior to his ISU appointment.

An active clinician and adjudicator, Province has worked with bands from the United States and Canada. He is a member of the College Band Directors’ National Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association and World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. His bands have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Bands of America Regional and National Championships. Province has led two university bands to bowl game appearances. Province has published a number of articles on the marching percussion and wind sections. He recently published a new edition of Mozart’s Grand Partita by for nine players.

“The person in this position must not only be an expert in the marching band arena, but must also be a master teacher for conducting and music education students, and a superb conductor of concert wind bands,” explains Gary Hill, director of bands at ASU. “Our community is most fortunate that a person of Martin Province’s caliber has decided to join the ASU faculty.”

Robert “Coach” Fleming, who retires this spring as director of the Sun Devil Marching Band, concurs after 28 years at ASU. “Marty has a had a terrific marching band at Iowa State University and I am sure he will carry on the traditions of the Sun Devil Marching Band.”

Province assumes his duties at ASU this summer. 

Media Contact:
Mary Brennan
480-965-3587
mary.brennan@asu.edu