Dewayne Dove is the current Executive Secretary of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (ASBOA). Before accepting this position in 2022, he was the High School Band Director and Music Coordinator for the Russellville School District in Russellville, AR. During his 32-year tenure at RSD, Mr. Dove also held the positions of Middle School Band Director, Eighth Grade Band Director, Sophomore Band Director, Jazz Band Director, and Musical Director for the Cyclone Theatre at Russellville High School. Prior to moving to Russellville, Mr. Dove taught at Greene County Tech Public Schools in Paragould, AR. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Dove has been an adjudicator and clinician in Arkansas and Oklahoma, as well as a facilitator for professional development on band literature and trombone pedagogy.
Mr. Dove’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu (past president of the Arkansas Omicron Chapter), Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (past president and a board member for 10 years), National Federation of High Schools, National Band Association, and the Arkansas Bandmasters Association. Awards and recognitions that he has received are the Southwest Region UMIASBDA Outstanding Young Band Director Award (1997), Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year (2020), named One of the 50 Directors Who Make a Difference by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (2008), and being listed three times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Mr. Dove serves in many key roles on vital committees and boards of our state’s music organizations. He is always willing to contribute to the development and implementation of procedures that lead to growth in music education.
Under his leadership, the Russellville Band Program flourished. Russellville Bands consistently received superior ratings in both marching and concert assessments, and, during the years of Mr. Dove’s tenure, numerous junior and senior high students attained high placements in honor bands including the Arkansas All-State Bands. In 2016 the Russellville Band Program received the NBA Blue Ribbon Award for Musical Excellence Southwest Division, and, in December of 2021, Mr. Dove directed the Russellville High School Symphonic Band at Carnegie Hall as part of the “Arkansas Tech University and Friends” concert. Many of Mr. Dove’s former students are enjoying very successful careers in music. He is active as a musician, performing as a soloist throughout the area, as well as performing with the River Valley Brass Quintet. Passionate about suicide awareness and prevention, Mr. Dove has worked together with ‘Not One More’ and ‘Out of Darkness’ programs for the past ten years. He is married to Sarah, a retired kindergarten teacher. Their son Keith and his wife Leigh are both ordained ministers and live in Seattle, WA.
