John Boyd composer / arranger

Dr. John Boyd, considered to be one of the most dynamic wind conductors in the country today, is equally at home with educational and professional organizations. He has guest conducted The U.S. Army Band twice and conducted/lectured at the Royal Northern College of Music at Manchester, UK, and the 9th WASBE International Conference. He has also conducted at state and regional CBDNA and MENC performances, the Western Collegiate Wind Festival, Fesno, in addition to receiving invitations to appear at three National Music Educators Conferences.

Boyd recorded two critically-acclaimed albums with the Kent State University Wind Ensemble which was released on ELF as John Boyd Conducts American. In 1995, he released, to rave reviews, the compact disc Capriccio with the Indiana State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Faculty Winds. Three additional compact discs were released: Tapestries and Wind Songs, featuring the ISU Faculty Winds, and Symphonic Moments, featuring the ISU Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Working with internationally-acclaimed conductor Frederick Fennell, he founded Philharmonia a Vent, a professional wind orchestra in residence at ISU. The ensemble, under the direction of Boyd, released two recordings in less than one year for internationally-known Klavier Music Productions. Ghosts, recorded in ISU's Tilson Auditorium in August 2004, features Richard Rodney Bennett's Morning Music, Ghosts by Stephen McNeff, Gustav Holst's Capriccio, and L'Homme Arme Variations by Christopher Marshall. Laude, featuring the music of influential educator, conductor and composer Howard Hanson, was recorded June 2005. In addition to its title track, works featured include Chorale and Alleluia, Dies Natalis, Centennial March and Merry Mount Suite, a tribute to Fennell, who passed away in December 2004.