Gary Joe Lewis, assistant professor of music (conducting), will be the Donald R. Shepherd Assistant Professor of Conducting in the School.
His new appointment, effective Sept. 1, was approved by the Regents at their April meeting.
“Last December, the Regents approved establishment of this endowed professorship, named to honor Donald R. Shepherd, long-time supporter of the Michigan Marching Band and donor of the endowment,” said Paul C. Boylan, dean of the School of Music. “Mr. Shepherd specified in the terms of his gift that the chair be held by the member of the School of Music faculty who is designated the director of the Marching Band.
“Now completing his fourth year in Ann Arbor, Prof. Lewis has done exemplary work with the Michigan Marching Band, as hundreds of thousands of visitors to Michigan Stadium and millions of television viewers of football games and bowl appearances can attest.”
Before joining the U-M, Lewis was associate director of bands at Abilene Christian University in 1986 and director of bands there in 1987–90.
