Barry D. Martin is Professor of Music and has served as Director of Bands and conductor of the
Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Grand Valley State University. His responsibilities at GVSU have included
conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble/Chamber Winds, conducting the Concert Band and the GVSU
Laker Marching Band. He has taught graduate and undergraduate conducting/repertoire and observed
student teachers in the Department of Music. In addition, he has overseen all aspects of the band
program, which grew from three ensembles totaling 110 students upon his arrival in 1994, to a program
of over 475 students performing in seven ensembles in 2016. Since 2004 he has served as the Artistic Conductor/Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, an adult organization, which includes music educators and professional musicians from throughout the State of Michigan.
Professor Martin received his B.M. degree in Music Education from the University of Akron and his
Masters of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. In 2016, Professor Martin was selected as the Music Director for the Michigan Ambassadors of Music. This ensemble of 320 high school students took a 16-day tour of Europe in July 2019 and performed in six different countries. In 2024, he was selected as the Music Director of the Michigan Musicians Abroad. This ensemble took 285 students back to Europe. In 2013, Martin was selected as the recipient of The University of Akron School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding service to music education. In 2010, he was honored by being selected for membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Martin is a member of the National Band Association and CBDNA. He also holds honorary memberships in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma Band Fraternity, and Mu Phi Epsilon. Prior to joining the music faculty at GVSU, he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Band at the University of Akron.
Barry is in constant demand throughout the country as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor. His
presentations include: The Ohio Music Educators Conference, several clinics and concerts at the
Michigan Music Education In-Service Conference, the North Central MENC Convention, the CBDNA North Central Conference, the Michigan Music Conference and most recently a presentation entitled Developing the Small College Band Program at the 3rd annual National Collegiate Marching & Athletic Band Symposium. He has also served as an adjudicator on several university campuses and has conducted numerous honor bands throughout the Midwest.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Grand Valley State University. His responsibilities at GVSU have included
conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble/Chamber Winds, conducting the Concert Band and the GVSU
Laker Marching Band. He has taught graduate and undergraduate conducting/repertoire and observed
student teachers in the Department of Music. In addition, he has overseen all aspects of the band
program, which grew from three ensembles totaling 110 students upon his arrival in 1994, to a program
of over 475 students performing in seven ensembles in 2016. Since 2004 he has served as the Artistic Conductor/Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, an adult organization, which includes music educators and professional musicians from throughout the State of Michigan.
Professor Martin received his B.M. degree in Music Education from the University of Akron and his
Masters of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. In 2016, Professor Martin was selected as the Music Director for the Michigan Ambassadors of Music. This ensemble of 320 high school students took a 16-day tour of Europe in July 2019 and performed in six different countries. In 2024, he was selected as the Music Director of the Michigan Musicians Abroad. This ensemble took 285 students back to Europe. In 2013, Martin was selected as the recipient of The University of Akron School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding service to music education. In 2010, he was honored by being selected for membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Martin is a member of the National Band Association and CBDNA. He also holds honorary memberships in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma Band Fraternity, and Mu Phi Epsilon. Prior to joining the music faculty at GVSU, he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Band at the University of Akron.
Barry is in constant demand throughout the country as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor. His
presentations include: The Ohio Music Educators Conference, several clinics and concerts at the
Michigan Music Education In-Service Conference, the North Central MENC Convention, the CBDNA North Central Conference, the Michigan Music Conference and most recently a presentation entitled Developing the Small College Band Program at the 3rd annual National Collegiate Marching & Athletic Band Symposium. He has also served as an adjudicator on several university campuses and has conducted numerous honor bands throughout the Midwest.