Andrew Blair

From Wind Repertory Project
Andrew Blair

Biography

Andrew Blair (b. 1987, Charlotte, N.C.) is an American percussionist, conductor, and composer.

Dr. Blair graduated with honors as a NC Teaching Fellow, Sudler Trophy winner, and Instrumental Performer of the Year from Western Carolina University in 2010 with a BSEd in music education. Prior to graduate school, Andrew taught on the middle, high school, and collegiate levels for eight years in North Carolina, with his ensembles earning consistent Superior ratings in grades 1-6 in concert, marching, and solo and ensemble performance assessments across the Southeast.

From 2018 to 2023, Andrew served as a graduate teaching assistant in the areas of conducting, percussion, and athletic bands at the University of Georgia. He was awarded the first dual Master of Music degree in conducting and percussion at UGA in the spring of 2021 and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in percussion with a minor in composition in 2023. Andrew served as one of the arrangers and instructors of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band, as well as working with a wide array of ensembles within the School of Music, having performed in, conducted, coached, and/or written for most of the ensembles in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music during his tenure.

As a percussionist, Andrew enjoys working as a musical Swiss-Army knife. With the wind band genre close to his heart, Andrew feels fortunate to have performed and recorded several premieres for composers such as Kevin Day and John Mackey while holding chairs as a section percussionist and assistant timpanist with the Augusta (Ga., Union (N.C.), and Charleston (S.C.) Symphonies.

Andrew’s compositions, arrangements, and sound design have been performed by outstanding ensembles and performers across the country, including recent performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, CBDNA Regional conferences, Bands of America Regional Championships, and at halftime of two College Football National Championships.

Other honors include serving as an assistant conductor with the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensembles from 2015 to 2018, being named a finalist for Teacher of the Year at both Hickory Ridge Middle School and Harris Road Middle School as well as the NC South-Central Band Directors Association Young Director Award. Andrew earned a Citation of Excellence from Cabarrus County Schools and was the 2016 recipient of the American School Band Directors Association Encore Award for Young Band Directors. Andrew holds memberships in CBDNA, NAfME, PAS, SCBDA, and serves as an educational artist for SABIAN cymbals and Evans/D'Addario.

He currently serves as an Associate Band Director at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC.


Works for Winds


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