About the San José Wind Symphony

Since 2023, Dr. David Vickerman has proudly served as the Music and Artistic Director of the San José Wind Symphony, becoming only the third director in the ensemble's rich history since its founding in 1958. When not working with SJWS, Dr. Vickerman is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at San José State University. In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble and Disrupt (SJSU's new music ensemble) at SJSU, he teaches undergraduate and graduate instrumental conducting.

In recognition of his contributions to music education and conducting, Dr. David Vickerman received The American Prize in Conducting in 2015, the Outstanding Music Educator Award from CMEA Bay Section in 2023, and the John Swain College/University Music Educator Award from the California Music Educators Association in 2025.

Under his artistic leadership, the SJSU Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) in 2020 and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Western/Northwestern Division Conference in 2022. Prior to his appointment at San José State University, he was the Director of Bands at The College of New Jersey, where the Wind Ensemble received invitations to the CBDNA Eastern Division (2014) and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conferences (2017). Before joining The College of New Jersey, he held the position of Director of Bands on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus, where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and directed the Pep Band. In addition to his duties at SJSU, he has previously served as the Associate Conductor of Great Noise Ensemble, in Washington D.C. and he is a highly sought-after guest conductor, having conducted numerous honor bands across the country.

A fervent advocate for contemporary music, Dr. Vickerman has commissioned works by eminent composers and conducted multiple premieres, including works by Viet Cuong, Alex Shapiro, Joel Puckett, Holly Harrison, Kevin Day, Armando Bayolo, and many more. He has also arranged several pieces for winds, including Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble by Philip Glass (published through Wise Music Classical), Ára Batur by the Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós, Observer in the Magellanic Cloud by Mason Bates, and Craigslistlieder by Gabriel Kahane.

Dr. Vickerman also regularly presents at regional, national, and international conferences on topics ranging from teaching social justice issues in band and embracing vulnerability in rehearsal and performance to the development of a computer-based conducting analysis system to assist beginning conducting students. His co-authored paper with Dr. Andrea Salgian, “Computer-Based Tutoring for Conducting Students,” was presented at the International Computer Music Conference in Utrecht, Netherlands, in September 2016. He also presented “Why Should I Care About This Music?: Increase Ensemble Engagement in Rehearsal by Connecting Lived Experiences to the Repertoire” along with Dr. Colleen Sears at the National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conference in 2017 and at the Midwest Clinic in 2018.

Dr. Vickerman graduated from the Peabody Institute with a DMA in Wind Conducting in 2014, studying with Dr. Harlan Parker, and a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Oregon in 2010, where he studied with Bob Ponto. Prior to his work at the University of Oregon, he taught high school in California for 6 years after receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and teaching credential from California State University Stanislaus in 2002, where he studied conducting with Dr. Edward C. Harris and Dr. Stuart Sims.