Jay Watkins is the Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music in the School of Music at the University of Florida, where he is the Music Director and Conductor of the UF Symphonic Band, and Director of The Gator Marching Band; both of which have presented performances at regional, national and international conferences and events. He is a frequent conductor of the UF Wind Symphony, conducting performances in Carnegia Hall and numerous international venues. Prof. Watkins is an ardent supporter of new music, working with established and emerging composers to add to the wind band repertoire, consistently premiering numerous works every concert cycle. He is an active NARAS recognized producer for numerous ensembles and individual recording projects.
The UF Gator Marching Band under his leadership was selected by the International Olympic Committee to perform during opening week of the London 2012 Olympics and served as the official band for Michelle Obama and the US Contingent during the games. The Gator Band was also the first non-British band afforded the honor of performing on the Mall outside of Buckingham Palace. The Gator Band was the recipient of the 2013 Sudler Trophy presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and represented the U.S. and Florida in Normandy last June for the 80th Anniversary Commemorations of D-Day.
Professor Watkins has received recognition as Teacher of the Year in the College of the Arts at UF and the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence.” He is active as a conductor, clinician, show designer, and adjudicator throughout the United States and Europe.
Prof. Watkins is an elected member of the International Board of Directors of Phi Beta Mu, where he chaired the Commissioning Committee and serves on the Educational Advisory Board. He holds memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, John Philip Sousa Foundation, the International Conductor’s Guild, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha, Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Prior to coming to UF, he served as Assistant to the Director of Bands, Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band, and Conductor of the Concert and Athletic Bands at The University of Texas at Austin. At Texas, he guest conducted the Symphony Band, designed shows for the Longhorn Band and initiated a project incorporating the live-music community of Austin in performances with the Texas athletic bands at sporting events, working with over 36 Grammy award-winning artists. He previously served as the Director of Bands and Associate Professor at Charleston Southern University, where he also founded and conducted The Lowcountry Winds, a professional wind ensemble. He also served as the Director of Instrumental Music and Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, and as a teacher in the public schools in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.
