MTSU Bands
Faculty & Staff
Dr. Reed Thomas, Director of Bands
Email: reed.thomas@mtsu.edu
Phone: +1 (615) 898-2993
Office: Wright Music Building, Rm 150
Dr. Reed Thomas is the Director of Bands and a full Professor of Music and conducting at Middle Tennessee State University. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and University Chamber Winds, teaching undergraduate courses in conducting and instrumental methods, graduate courses in conducting and wind and orchestral repertoire, and he guides all aspects of MTSU band program. He is the founding conductor of the Three Rivers Wind Symphony, a professional group of wind and percussion players from Northeast Indiana and was the Conductor of the Littleton Chamber Winds in Littleton, Colorado from 1997-99. Additionally, Dr. Thomas has been a guest conductor for the Littleton Symphony, the Ft. Wayne Community Orchestra, and several Youth Symphonies in Indiana, Colorado, and Utah.
Dr. Thomas is an active conductor and clinician who has received praise and critical acclaim for his artistic interpretations, thorough preparation, and innovative programming. His groups have been invited to perform at venues throughout the United States, China, and South Korea. Beginning in 2002, Dr. Thomas began his relationship with bands from Asia and has been invited as a guest conductor and lecturer by the Korean Band Association, the Macau Band Directors Association, the Hong Kong Band Directors Association and the Hong Kong Music Office. In the summer of 2005, the MTSU Wind Ensemble was invited and performed at the Jeju International Band Festival in South Korea and in several cities in South Korea. In 2007, this group has been invited and is scheduled to perform in Hong Kong, Macau, and China.
Dr. Thomas is an avid supporter of new music, commissioning over 10 compositions since 2003. He has received critical acclaim from composers such as Shafer Mahoney, Peter Fischer, Jamie Simmons, Robert Bradshaw, and from performers such as Steve Houghton and Eddie Daniels for his interpretive conducting.
A native of Colorado, Dr. Thomas received his Ph.D. in Music with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Minnesota and both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Utah. He has studied with such noted conductors as Craig Kirchhoff, John Whitwell, Donald Schleicher, and Loel Hepworth and has studied in master classes with Frederick Fennell, Alan McMurray, Tim Salzman, and Mallory Thompson. He is also an active performer most recently playing clarinet and bass clarinet with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He is retired from the US Army National Guard where he served for over 20 years as a conductor, clarinet, and saxophone player. Prior to his appointment at MTSU, Dr. Thomas held positions as the Director of Instrumental Studies at Indiana-Purdue University Ft. Wayne in Indiana and as the Director of Bands at Adams State College in Colorado and taught at two public high schools in Utah. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the Conductors Guild, Music Educators National Conference, Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Dr. Bryan Braue, Associate Director of Bands
Email: bryan.braue@mtsu.edu
Phone: +1 (615) 898-2486
Office: Wright Music Building, Rm 154
Bryan Braue serves as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Middle Tennessee State University, where his responsibilities include directing the Band of Blue Marching Band, overseeing the athletic band program, conducting the university’s Symphonic Band, and teaching a variety of music education courses. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Florida, studying with Dr. David Waybright, Professor Jay Watkins, and Dr. Chip Birkner. During his doctoral studies, he co-taught Basic Conducting, served as a Graduate Conductor for the University Wind Symphony and Monday Night Concert Band, and assisted the Gator Marching Band in drill design, music arranging, and drumline instruction.
A native of Vero Beach, Florida, Dr. Braue earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University, where he studied under Dr. Bobby Adams. In 2006, he became Director of Bands at Clearwater High School, where his teaching responsibilities included the Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Music Theory, and Music History. In addition to his work at Clearwater High School, he served as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Clearwater Christian College, District Chairman for the Florida Bandmasters Association District IX, and Chairman for the Pinellas All-County Secondary Bands.
From 2011 to 2013, Dr. Braue attended the University of South Florida, earning a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting. Upon graduation, he was appointed Assistant Director of Bands at the university, a position he held for six years. During his tenure, he worked with the Herd of Thunder Marching Band, Basketball Pep Band, Show Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band, and served as Executive Director for the university’s Summer Music Camps program, Festival of Winds, and Symphonic Celebration.
Prior to his appointment at Middle Tennessee State University, Dr. Braue served as Director of Bands at the University of Texas Permian Basin, where he directed the Spirit of the Permian Basin Marching Band, oversaw the Basketball Pep Band, conducted the Department of Music’s Symphonic Winds and Brass Choir, and taught courses in conducting and music education. He also served as Academic Advisor for all wind and percussion majors and supervised elementary and secondary student interns throughout the Midland–Odessa region. Beyond his university duties, Dr. Braue was the Texas Music Educators Association Region VI Vice President and served on the advisory board for the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Braue maintains professional memberships with the Tennessee Music Educators Association (TNMEA), the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and the National Band Association (NBA). He is also a member of numerous honorary organizations, including Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Sigma Alpha Iota. In addition to his work at the university, Dr. Braue is a nationally recognized clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator. He resides in the Murfreesboro area with his wife, Michelle, their cat, Nala, and their dog, Maestro.
Dennis Hawkins, Assistant Director of Bands
Email: dennis.hawkins@mtsu.edu
Phone: +1 (615) 494-8929
Office: Saunders Fine Arts, Rm 110A
Dennis A. Hawkins, Jr. has facilitated performances on the podium as a conductor, in ensembles as a trumpet player, in lecture-based courses as an instructor, and administratively as a certified nonprofit professional. Hawkins is also a published author and reviewer who has a passion for teaching that continues to be cultivated through the support of many mentors with whom he has had the privilege of studying. He finds great inspiration through collaborations with guest artists, composers, educators, and students.
Since joining the faculty of Middle Tennessee State University, Hawkins has completed training for both the Safe Zone Program and Mental Health First Aid USA. Hawkins is a member of the graduate faculty and is the faculty-in-residence advisor for the Music@Middle living-learning community on campus. He currently serves as the university representative on the executive committee for the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association.
In addition to numerous professional and honor organizations, Dennis Hawkins is a proud brother of both the Kappa Alpha and Alpha Alpha chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Delta Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Education: Doctor of Musical Arts, Wind Conducting, University of Minnesota, 2017; Master of Music, Conducting, Youngstown State University, 2014; Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Youngstown State University, 2013; Master of Music, Brass Performance, Boston University, 2010; Bachelor of Music Education, Youngstown State University, 2007.
Jennifer Stembridge, Band Coordinator
Email: jen.stembridge@mtsu.edu
Phone: +1 (615) 898-5583
Office: Wright Music Building, Rm 155
Jennifer Stembridge is the University Bands Coordinator and began her career with the Middle Tennessee State University School of Music in 1995. Her primary responsibilities include managing the band budgets, facilitating all needs of the Band of Blue, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band, as well as coordinating the annual Contest of Champions Marching Band Competition and the Tennessee Wind Band Conference. She administers the bands social media sites, assists with managing the dance team and plays an active role in recruiting.
Prior to coming to MTSU, Jennifer was an Assistant Vice President for Bank of America where she taught sales and management classes. She also spent several years in the retail banking division. While at Bank of America, Jennifer received a total of six Exceptional Performance Awards for her design and delivery of training materials, produced two videos, and received two Service Excellence Awards for providing outstanding customer service.
Jennifer received her associate’s degree in business administration from Sierra College in Northern California. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, riding horses and knitting.