Andrew Putnam named to faculty at Virginia Tech University

Andrew J. Putnam conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Virginia Tech and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting. He received his doctoral degree from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he studied with Steven D. Davis. He previously earned the master of music education, studying with Colleen Conway and conducting with Michael Haithcock. Prior to his graduate work, he taught for five years at Whitnall High School in Greenfield, WI where he served as director of bands. This tenure followed the completion of a bachelor of music education degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. An advocate for the wind ensemble as an artistic medium, Dr. Putnam has shared in performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as well as the regional and national conferences for the College Band Director’s National Association. Additional collaborative work with artistic leaders including composers John Corigliano, Robert Beaser, James Mobberley, and Paul Rudy, renowned wind conductor H. Robert Reynolds, and the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner in music, Zhou Long. His work with Robert Beaser towards the completion of the wind ensemble setting of the composer’s Manhattan Roll (originally commissioned for 150^th anniversary of the New York Philharmonic) led to its premiere at the 2011 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. His recent research has centered on the personas of folk singers influencing the work of Percy Grainger, and wind ensemble works of Paul Hindemith.