David Vickerman
David Vickerman
Director of Bands and Professor of Music
408-924-6971
david.vickerman@sjsu.edu
MUS 253
Biography
Dr. David Vickerman is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at San José State University. In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble and Disrupt (91ÁÔÆæ new music ensemble), he teaches undergraduate and graduate instrumental conducting. Since 2023, Dr. David Vickerman has proudly served as the Music and Artistic Director of the , becoming only the third director in the ensemble's rich history since its founding in 1958. In recognition of his contributions to music education and conducting, Dr. Vickerman received , the , and the John Swain College/University Music Educator Award from the California Music Educators Association in 2025.
Under his artistic leadership, the 91ÁÔÆæ Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the
and the . Prior to his appointment at San José State University, he was the Director of Bands
at where the Wind Ensemble received invitations to the CBDNA Eastern Division (2014)
and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conferences
(2017). Before joining The College of New Jersey, he held the position of Director
of Bands on the Homewood Campus where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and directed the Pep Band. In
addition to his duties at 91ÁÔÆæ, he has previously served as the Associate Conductor
of Great Noise Ensemble, in Washington D.C. and he is a highly sought-after guest
conductor, having conducted numerous honor bands across the country.
A fervent advocate for contemporary music, Dr. Vickerman has commissioned works by
eminent composers and conducted multiple premieres, including works by Viet Cuong,
Alex Shapiro, Joel Puckett, Holly Harrison, Kevin Day, Armando Bayolo and many more.
He has also arranged several pieces for winds including , Observer in the Magellanic Cloud by Mason Bates and Craigslistlieder by Gabriel Kahane.
Dr. Vickerman also regularly presents at regional, national and international conferences
on topics ranging from teaching social justice issues in band and embracing vulnerability
in rehearsal and performance, to the development of a computer-based conducting analysis
system to assist beginning conducting students. His co-authored paper with Dr. Andrea
Salgian, was presented at the International Computer Music Conference in Utrecht, Netherlands
in September 2016. He also presented along with Dr. Colleen Sears, at the National Association for Music Education Eastern
Division Conference in 2017 and at the Midwest Clinic in 2018.
Dr. Vickerman graduated from the Peabody Institute with a DMA in Wind Conducting in
2014, studying with Dr. Harlan Parker and a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from
the University of Oregon in 2010, where he studied with Bob Ponto. Prior to his work
at the University of Oregon, he taught high school in California for 6 years after
receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and teaching credential from
California State University Stanislaus in 2002, where he studied conducting with Dr.
Edward C. Harris and Dr. Stuart Sims.
