Dr. Laurence L. Marks, Director of Bands
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Laurence L. Marks, Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music, was appointed to the faculty at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in April, 1999. In addition to conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dr. Marks administrates the University's total band program and teaches courses in conducting and music education.

Dr. Marks also serves as principal conductor of the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble, an organization of student musicians, age 14 to 18, from the greater Charlotte metropolitan region. This ensemble functions between January and March each year, and is beginning its fourteenth season.  A native of California, Dr. Marks brings more than twenty years of teaching experience to his position at UNC-Charlotte. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Marks served as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Athletic Bands, including the 290-member Marching Mizzou. He has also held faculty positions at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Louisville.

Dr. Marks completed the doctoral degree in music education/conducting at the University of Southern California. His master’s degree was earned at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the bachelor’s degree was completed at San Jose State University.

Prior to undertaking graduate work at USC, Dr. Marks spent many years developing exemplary high school band programs in Northern and Southern California. His ensembles received superior ratings for thirteen consecutive years, and twice performed at California Music Educators Association state conventions. In 1984, the Lynbrook High School Wind Ensemble, from San Jose, earned top honors at the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna.

Marching bands under his guidance earned more than 500 awards at regional and national events, including performances at the Fiesta Bowl, the Tournament of Roses, Super Bowl XIX at Stanford University and the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City in 1986.  Dr. Marks has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States and Canada. He is a past recipient of the NBA’s Citation of Excellence; the California Music Educators Service Award of Merit and was elected to the Order of the Kentucky Colonels through recognition by the Kentucky state legislature in 1996.

Professional memberships at held with Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, College Band Directors National Association, WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles), MENC and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  Dr. Marks has done research in the fields of teacher preparation and professional retention, and has published articles and spoken at state, regional national conferences on these topics.

WILL CAMPBELL, Director of Jazz Ensembles
(jazz improvisation, saxophone)

Originally from North Carolina, Will Campbell is the Director of Jazz Studies and Saxophone Instructor at UNC Charlotte. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance and Literature degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the of Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies) and Master of Music (Saxophone Performance) from the University of North Texas. While attending UNT, he was a member of the One O'clock Lab Band and directed the Three O'clock Lab Band.

From 1990 to 1994, he toured internationally as a member of the Harry Connick, Jr. Orchestra. Recording credits include Blue Light, Red Light, When My Heart Finds Christmas, and The New York Big Band Concert (Video).  Dr. Campbell has performed with artists such as Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, and ensembles such as The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony,  Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr. Campbell was awarded a UNC Charlotte Faculty Research Grant in 2007 to record Think Tank, his debut release as a leader and composer. In 1995, he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Fellowship Grant, which allowed him to study privately with renowned saxophonist Dick Oatts in New York City. Since 1999, he has been a member of the University of North Texas Summer Jazz Workshop Faculty. Dr. Campbell has performed at conferences for the North American Saxophone Alliance, International Association for Jazz Education, and the World Saxophone Congress and has published two articles in the Jazz Education Journal. His arrangements for jazz ensemble are now available through University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press. Dr. Campbell is an Artist/Clinician for the Conn-Selmer Company and plays Selmer saxophones exclusively. 

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