Meet Dr. Brandon Meeks | Director of Athletic Bands

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Brandon Meeks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Brandon, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Our success is tied to our students and the commitment they make to supporting our athletic teams and our university. They put in multiple hours a week and full days on game days to ensure they bring the highest level of energy and great music for Owl Nation inside Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The pride they have for this university is unmatched and a big reason why we continue to grow and be successful. In the athletic bands at Kennesaw State we also pride ourselves on the diversity of the repertoire we perform at games. We aim to not fit into “one style” but instead perform music for everyone in attendance. The goal is for everyone to leave the game singing at least one tune that we played. Our musical selections range from 60’s tunes to present day! This approached as led to our rapid growth over the last three years going from 220 members in 2022 to our current enrollment of 325…and growing!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Dr. Brandon Meeks is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is currently the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. He is a graduate of Florida State University where he received his PhD and Masters in Music Education. He is also a 2009 graduate of Western Carolina University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at WCU, Dr. Meeks was a recipient of the prestigious North Carolina Teaching Fellows scholarship program. From 2009-2016 he served as the Director of Bands at East Lincoln Middle School in Iron Station, NC. During his tenure at East Lincoln, the band program experienced growth, consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at state festivals and maintained a culture of high expectations and musical excellence. Dr. Meeks is a National Board-Certified Teacher, holds honorary memberships to Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, was named the 2013 East Lincoln Middle School Teacher of the Year, and was named the 2016 NC South Central Bandmasters Young Director Award for Excellence. He is an active presenter across the southeast, enjoys fitness activities and playing the piano and currently resides in Woodstock, Georgia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our president Kathy Schwaig. She is our biggest supporter and advocate not only in our performances but behind the scenes ensuring that we have the things we need to be successful such as a new uniforms and drumlins equipment. She also visits the band during rehearsals and invites the band to her box during football games. We are very lucky to have that level of support at the highest level of our university.

Website: https://marchingowls.kennesaw.edu

Instagram: @KSUmarchingowls

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KSUMarchingOwls

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennesawStateUniversityBands