Biography

Andrew Blair is a conductor, percussionist, and composer originally from Charlotte, NC. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education (BSEd) from Western Carolina University, dual Master of Music (MM) degrees in Conducting and Percussion, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Percussion and Composition from the University of Georgia.

As an educator and conductor, Andrew has led ensembles recognized for excellence in regional, national, and international performances across concert, marching, jazz, and chamber music disciplines. He is passionate about mentoring student and professional musicians and is a sought-after guest conductor, clinician, and consultant for ensembles throughout the United States. Prior to his appointment at NSU, Andrew served as Associate Band Director, Director of Percussion, and Director of Jazz Studies at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, as well as an additional 8 years of Middle and High School teaching experience in greater-Charlotte, NC.

Andrew’s compositions for winds, percussion, and electronics are performed worldwide. Recent highlights include performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, WASBE International Conference, and multiple CBDNA Regional Conferences. His works for the marching arts have been featured at numerous Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Championships, as well as during halftime at two NCAA College Football National Championships.

A versatile performer, Andrew has appeared across concert, jazz, chamber, theater, and electronic genres. He has held chairs as a timpanist, percussionist, and drumset specialist with ensembles including the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (SC), Charleston Opera Theatre (SC), Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (SC), Holy City Lyric Opera (SC), Augusta Symphony Orchestra (GA), Gwinnett Ballet (GA), Union Symphony (NC), and Carolinas Wind Orchestra (SC). While at UGA, Andrew recorded premiere and reference performances of John Mackey’s Places We Can No Longer Go, and was featured as the drumset soloist on the reference recording and world premiere of Kevin Day’s Pulitzer-nominated Concerto for Wind Ensemble.

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