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U.S. Air Force Band Commander joining faculty at GMU

  • Published
  • By to AFDW
  • GMU Office of Media and Public Relations
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, commander, music director and principal conductor of the United States Air Force Band, will join the George Mason University faculty this summer as the Heritage Chair in Music and director of University Orchestras in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

"We are thrilled to welcome Colonel Layendecker to the faculty of the Music Department and know that he will be a vital asset to the college, the department and our students," says William Reeder, dean of CVPA. "His extensive leadership and management backgrounds coupled with incredible artistic abilities will allow Colonel Layendecker to bring resonance to the department and help its faculty reach even higher levels of professional success."

The Heritage Chair in Music was established in the 1980s by former Mason president George Johnson and his wife Joanne as a way of promoting the arts on campus and within the community. In this role, Colonel Layendecker will give a larger voice to the Music Department by using his artistic and management skills to address the specific needs of each individual faculty member.

Recognized as "America's International Musical Ambassadors," Colonel Layendecker assumed command of the U. S. Air Force Band on Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., in July 2002. He will retire this summer after a 26-year career in the Air Force, having served as a commander, conductor, artistic director, performing musician, public spokesperson, educator and diplomat.

"I am honored to be joining the faculty of George Mason University and excited to be working in the Music Department with some of the most accomplished artist faculty in the country," says Colonel Layendecker. 

Colonel Layendecker has provided direct musical and ceremonial support to the President of the United States and his Cabinet, members of Congress and other high ranking civilian and military leaders nationally and internationally. In addition, he has led the USAF Band and overseen policy for 12 Air Force musical units and has directed more than 6,000 musical performances worldwide in support of public outreach, community relations, troop morale, welfare, and recruitment and retention programs for the Air Force.

Colonel Layendecker holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestra Conducting from the Catholic University of America and a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting from Northwestern University.