Gary Brandes

Director of Bands

Gary W. Brandes Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Missouri - St. Louis conducts the University Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band, teaches Conducting and Instrumental Music Education courses. Prior to his appointment at UMSL he taught for twenty eight years in Missouri public schools most recently as Director of Bands at Fort Zumwalt South High School since 1994. Prior to South High he taught at Fort Zumwalt North High School, Hazelwood East High School and Warren County R-II, Wright City. He grew up in Wright City, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri St. Louis and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1978. A Master Degree in Conducting was completed in 1992 from the University of Missouri, Columbia. While completing his Masters he was honored to serve as a graduate assistant to the University Bands. As a trombonist he is presently a member of the St. Louis Wind Symphony and a former member of the Gateway City Big Band, Meramec Monday Night Jazz Band and the Mid Rivers Brass Quintet. He maintains a private studio teaching trombone, euphonium and tuba.

Brandes has served as Vice President of Concert and Jazz Band for the St. Louis Metro Music Educators Association. He was honored to serve as President of the St. Louis Metro District Eight in 2002-03. Mr. Brandes has been secretary for the Missouri Unit of International Association of Jazz Educators and currently serves as the MO-IAJE Combo Workshop Coordinator. Additional professional responsibilities include the Missouri Chairman of the National Band Association.

Mr. Brandes was honored 1998 with the Merit Award in Music Education from St. Louis Metro Music Educators Association and in 2000 St. Louis Metro recognized Brandes as its Outstanding Music Educator. Brandes was selected as Fort Zumwalt’s Teacher of the Year in 2003, and received the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Citizenship Teacher Award in 2004. In 2004 Brandes was named to Marquis Who’s Who in America

Professional affiliations include MENC, MMEA, NBA, IAJE, MBA, ITA, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Brandes lives in St. Peters, MO, with wife Brenda and daughter Erin.

Contact Information

brandesg@umsl.edu