Dr. Brad McDavid

Dr. Brad McDavid retired in 2024 after 30 years as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Washington and 38 years overall in music education. During his tenure at the UW, McDavid held a number of responsibilities with his primary duty being the principal field conductor and program coordinator for the 240-member Husky Marching Band.

Having previously taught in the elementary, middle school, and high school levels in central Ohio, and Tempe, Arizona, Brad received his bachelor’s degree and PhD in music education from Ohio State University and Master’s Degree from Arizona State University. During his career, Brad led the Husky Marching Band on performance tours of Australia, China, Scandinavia, Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland. In 2008 he was selected to serve as head director for the 1700-member international Beijing Olympic Orchestra for the summer Olympics, and in 2015 was also selected by the Kansai Bandmaster’s Association to conduct the 7300-member mass concert band in Osaka, Japan, for their Sousa tribute. In 2017, McDavid was the lead
conductor and organizer for the inaugural Northwest Intercollegiate Marching Band who represented the United States in Ireland’s renowned St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Dr. McDavid currently serves on the selection committee for the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Trophy award recognizing outstanding collegiate marching bands from across the United States.

In 2016, McDavid was honored with induction into the Washington Music Educators Association’s Hall of Fame and was honored 2018 with induction into the Northwest Bandmasters Association.

In 2024, the national collegiate band service organization, Kappa Kappa Psi, honored Brad with their Distinguished Service to Music Award.

Brad resides in Bothell with his wife, Janie, who is also a music educator. Their son, Skylar, recently graduated from Washington State University in Music Education and is also planning on a lifelong career as a third generation band director.