Music and Artistic Director

Dr. DAVID VICKERMAN

Dr. David Vickerman is the Music and Artistic Director of the San Jose Wind Symphony, becoming only the third conductor to lead the group since its founding as the San Jose Symphonic Band in 1958.

Dr. Vickerman, the 2015 winner of The American Prize in Conducting and 2023 winner of the Outstanding Music Educator Award for CMEA Bay Section, is an Associate Professor of Music and the Director of Bands at San José State University. Prior to his appointment at San José State University, he was the Director of Bands at The College of New Jersey (2012-2017) and the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus (2010-2012). 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 numerous premieres. He has also arranged several pieces for winds including Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble by Philip Glass (published through WiseMusic 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 to embracing vulnerability in rehearsal and performance.

Dr. Vickerman graduated from the Peabody Institute with a DMA in Wind Conducting in 2014 and a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Oregon in 2010. 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.