Robyn Wilkes Named New SCF Director of Instrumental Studies

(Bradenton., Fla., June 23, 2009) - Robyn Wilkes has been named director of instrumental studies at Manatee Community College (State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota effective July 1). Wilkes will begin her new role at the college in fall 2009.

Prior to coming to the SCF, Wilkes was visiting instructor of music at Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Ga., where she conducted the jazz band and chamber orchestra and taught classes in music history, music appreciation, symphonic literature, instrumental conducting and trumpet performance. Previously, Wilkes was the band director at Ridgeland High School in Walker County, Ga., from 1999 to 2008 where her bands won numerous region, state, and national marching and concert band competitions. 

Wilkes received her bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Tennessee. During her graduate studies, she worked as an assistant for the "Pride of the Southland" Marching Band. She is currently a doctoral candidate in music education at Boston University with a research emphasis on popular music in secondary education.

Wilkes is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association, East Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Association, Women's Band Directors International, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the National Band Association and the International Trumpet Guild. She served as treasurer for the Seventh District of the Georgia Music Educators Association for five years and was awarded for outstanding contributions to music education in 2004, 2006 and 2007. She also received the Silver Baton Award from Women Band Directors International where she is now the president-elect. In 2007, Wilkes was awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association in recognition of her band's performance at the University of Georgia's annual Janfest event.
 

Robyn Wilkes