Doctoral conducting student ready to make his mark in California
Grant Stephen Knox is graduating this month with a Doctor of Musical Arts in wind band conducting and a graduate certificate in music entrepreneurship from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
Grant Stephen Knox is a conductor, music educator and musicologist. He will graduate from Arizona State University in May with a Doctor of Musical Arts in wind band conducting and a graduate certificate in music entrepreneurship, and he has already landed a job in California.
“I am fortunate to have been offered and accepted a tenure-track position as an assistant professor of music at San José State University in California,” he said. “I will serve as the associate director of bands and director of athletic bands.”
Knox credited his time at ASU for preparing him to take the next step in his career.
“I chose ASU largely because of the opportunity to work with ASU wind bands faculty Dr. Jason Caslor, Dr. Jamal Duncan and Professor James Hudson,” Knox said.
“Also, because of the opportunities that a university this size presented such as cross-department collaboration, efforts in innovation and sustainability, and the connection to opportunities within the larger Phoenix metro community. The rest of the school’s first-class faculty also offered me unique opportunities like furthering my research in Black American music with Dr. Christi Jay Wells, and developing a brand and navigating artistry in a capitalist society with Dr. Deanna Swoboda.”
As an educator, Knox is an advocate for healthy practices of inclusion and representation in the music classroom/ensemble and enjoys interdisciplinary studies of musicology, music theory and popular music in the wind band idiom.
“Grant approaches the profession with a deep respect for its traditions, balanced by a relentless curiosity to challenge established practices and explore the reasons behind them,” said Caslor, associate professor and director of ASU Bands.
With a passion for amplifying the wind band works of composers from underrepresented backgrounds, Knox said his most interesting accomplishment while at ASU was publishing his first peer-reviewed article in the Arizona Historical Society's Journal of Arizona History (Vol. 66, no. 1) titled “Returning Home: Renowned Composer Ulysses Kay in Arizona.”
“Grant is an exceptional student who is constantly curious,” said Duncan, assistant professor and associate director of ASU Bands. “He is thoughtful and looks for ways to build connections between his current work in wind band conducting and repertoire and his work as a researcher and musicologist. He has the qualities and tenacity that are needed to propel our profession forward and make it more relevant.”
In addition to a teaching assistantship to work with ASU’s concert and athletic bands, Knox received additional funding from the School of Music, Dance and Theatre to present at the International Society for Research and Promotion of Wind Music's biannual conference in Valencia, Spain.
“To have the school step in and support my research and professional travel was greatly appreciated,” Knox said. “This conference presentation was my first international presentation and a very important step in completing my dissertation research on the wind band music of William Grant Still.”
In addition to over five years of teaching K–12 music in Kentucky and Arizona prior to attending ASU, Knox served as the director of instrumental music at Cienega High School in Vail, Arizona, instructing all aspects of the string orchestra, concert, jazz and athletic bands. Knox holds degrees in music education and musicology from Murray State University (BM ’18) and the University of Arizona (MM ’20).
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study Wind Band conducting?
Answer: Like many others who pursue conducting, I got my start as a drum major — in the Bryan Station High School marching band and the Murray State University Racer Band. With these opportunities, I realized how much I enjoy “leading” musical experiences, not necessarily for the front-facing allure, but because I enjoy moderating group efforts. As an ensemble leader, I am fulfilled by receiving the individual artistic expressions of my ensemble members and synthesizing them into a singular — but democratic and uniform — musical interpretation.
Q: What is something you learned while at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: During my time at ASU, I learned a lot about navigating arts organizational leadership within a capitalist society and the bureaucratic system of higher education. In all my studies, I connected my developing skills and abilities as a conductor to the larger arts ecosystem, in an effort to better find sustainable solutions for funding, ethical collaborations, practical research and creative projects, and leading fulfilling musical experiences for my ensembles. This has prepared me to step into the academic world and provide a first-rate experience for my athletic and concert band programs, as well as all of my music students.
Q: Which professor or faculty member taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: There are far too many wise lessons that I could share, but one that comes to mind most often is from Professor James Hudson. He always approaches every problem and educational objective for his students by asking two questions: “What's the why?” (from Simon Sinek's book “Start With Why”) and “What's the diagnosis of need?” Both of these questions have given me clarity in my own artistic and educational journey.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Connections are everything. Take every opportunity to network and foster healthy connections with people — students, faculty, staff, everyone!
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus?
A: I love to study/get work done at the tables in the shade outside of the ASU Art Museum. Indoors, it is a beautiful facility, but outside it is very serene — and shaded!
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: Of course, this would only scratch the surface of solving the problem, but I would devote most (if not all) of the money towards public education. Many have said that public education is the great equalizer and the conduit for a just and prosperous society. Ensuring student needs are met through healthy meals, safe and reliable transportation, curricular reform that promotes student freedom to explore — arts education, trade/vocation education, world languages, etc. Also, contributing to increasing teacher/staff salaries and budgets so that these important humans can better be supported in their efforts for students.
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