Directors

Biography

Damon Talley serves as Director of Bands and Paula G. Manship Professor of Conducting at the Louisiana State University School of Music, where he oversees all aspects of the LSU Department of Bands, conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate conducting. The nationally recognized Band Department at LSU serves as an integral component of the thriving School of Music. Under his leadership, the Department has established an annual conducting symposium, high school and middle school camps that serve hundreds of students annually, and numerous outreach events for public school educators. The Golden Band From Tigerland marching band has been featured at national conferences on multiple occasions, and most recently, the LSU Wind Ensemble performed at the College Band Directors National Association national convention. Dr. Talley is a strong supporter and advocate of music in the public schools. He regularly serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad, including engagements in Germany, Switzerland, England, and Spain, among others.

The LSU Wind Ensemble has released multiple recordings on the Equilibrium Label and continues to commission and record new compositions regularly. Dr. Talley has recorded on Best Classical Records and received favorable reviews from publications including Gramophone magazine and the American Record Guide. He has served as producer or associate producer on commercial recordings by the Naxos, Klavier, and Equilibrium record labels, and is published in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, distributed by GIA Publications.

As an avid supporter of new music for the wind medium, Dr. Talley has conducted numerous world premier performances, and has commissioned composers to write for the wind band. He has won praise for his work by composers such as William Bolcom, Steven Mackey, Kevin Puts, Joseph Schwantner, David Maslanka, Donald Grantham, and Michael Daugherty, among others. He regularly hosts visiting composers of national and international status on the campus of LSU, and is a strong advocate for young composers, often premiering pieces by student composers. Dr. Talley is currently the National Chair for the New Works Committee of CBDNA as well as the Chair for the Commissioning Committee for the SEC Band Directors Association.

Prior to his appointment at LSU, Dr. Talley held the position of Director of Bands at Shenandoah Conservatory, where he was responsible for guiding the wind band program, conducting the EDGE New Music Ensemble, and teaching graduate conducting. He has also taught on the faculties at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan. Prior to teaching at the university level, Dr. Talley taught in the public schools in Texas at both the middle school and high school levels. He earned the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Michigan, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas. His principal conducting teachers are Jerry Junkin, Michael Haithcock, and H. Robert Reynolds. Dr. Talley is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, the Louisiana Music Educators Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association Educators Association. He is also an Educational Consultant and Clinician for the Conn-Selmer Corporation.

Biography

Simon Holoweiko is the Associate Director of Bands at Louisiana State University, where he conducts the Symphonic Winds, teaches undergraduate conducting and graduate wind literature, guides doctoral students minoring in conducting, and works with the Golden Band from Tigerland. Holoweiko joined the faculty following successful appointments at Michigan State University and Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida. 

After serving as Assistant Director of Bands at MSU, where his duties included Associate Director of the Spartan Marching Band, conductor of the Concert Band, Spartan Youth Wind Symphony, and teaching courses in the College of Music, Holoweiko completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Wind Conducting at Michigan State University as a student of Dr. Kevin Sedatole. He also holds the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he studied with Dr. Jamie L. Nix and assisted with all aspects of the wind program.

Prior to his graduate studies, Holoweiko taught in the Florida public schools as the Director of Bands at Martin County High School (Stuart). At Martin County, he coordinated all aspects of the band program including instruction of the marching band, two concert ensembles, and also founded a curricular jazz band and AP music theory course. He is also the conductor and a co-founder of the Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp in Jensen Beach, FL and is an active clinician. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Michigan State University.

Holoweiko is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and holds professional membership in the College Band Directors National Association and the National Association for Music Education.

Biography

Weston Lewis is an Assistant Director of Bands at Louisiana State University where he conducts the Symphonic Band, works with The Golden Band from Tigerland, and teaches undergraduate conducting. Prior to joining the faculty at LSU, Weston served as an assistant instructor for The University of Texas Bands, assisting with all ensembles and undergraduate conducting courses. He holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Houston, a Master of Music in Conducting from Louisiana State University, and a Doctoral Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin.

Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Weston taught at Klein Oak High School from 2014-2019. In his role, he worked with all concert bands and oversaw the IB Music program. While pursuing his master’s degree at LSU, Weston assisted with all ensembles including the Golden Band from Tiger Land, Bengal Brass, and all concert ensembles. He was also a Co-Chair of the LSU School of Music Student Diversity & Inclusion Organization. Weston is an active clinician and presenter, most recently presenting at the College Band Directors National Association Conference, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Midwest Clinic. He is also an active arranger with music performed across the country, including a recent premiere at the Midwest Clinic. 

Biography

Rob Dowie currently serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Operations for the LSU Department of Bands. In this role, Mr. Dowie serves as the Bengal Brass Director and assists with the LSU Tiger Band, working closely with the student leadership team, incoming students, alumni, and other campus partners. He oversees department operations for events and camps, as well as game-day outreach activities and visitors. He is also the Sponsor for the Beta Gamma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Outside of his duties with LSU Bands, Mr. Dowie serves as an instructor in the LSU College of Human Sciences and Education, teaching LHRD 2723, 3723, 4723, and 4808. He is an avid SCUBA diver and NAUI Instructor, and owns SELA Aquatics, a commercial swimming pool management company operating in Louisiana and Alabama.

During his time as a student at LSU, Mr. Dowie served as Drum Major of the Tiger Band for three years. He served as Chapter President of Kappa Kappa Psi in 2007 and was a founding member of the Tiger Tenors. In 2007, he was awarded the Outstanding Student Leader Award by the LSU Office of the Dean of Students to recognize his involvement with Kappa Kappa Psi, Tiger Band, and Phi Mu Alpha.