Chandler L. Wilson

Chandler L. Wilson is the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor at Stetson University. In his duties, Dr. Wilson conducts the Stetson University Symphonic Band and directs the Hatter Band and Pep Band. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, he teaches courses in conducting and oversees the band operations in the School of Music. He previously served as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Florida State University from 2020–2024.

A native of Miami, Florida, Dr. Wilson attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While a student at FAMU, he served as the University Band President and section leader of the saxophones. Additionally, he was selected as the student arranger and conductor for the marching and symphonic bands and was selected as one of the first student staff members for the “Marching 100”. Dr. Wilson earned a Master of Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Band Conducting from Florida State University.

Many of Dr. Wilson’s compositions have been premiered and performed on the concert band stage with All-County/District Honor Bands and All-State Bands. His works have also been performed at the Music for All National Festival and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. His composition, “Legends of the Galaxy (A Cosmic Fanfare),” was ranked in the Top 100 band compositions in the American Band College/Band World Magazine/Western International Band Clinic Literature List for 2016 and one of his most recent work, Suite Forty-Four, was performed at the 2019 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic by the Hikarigaoka Girls’ High School Wind Orchestra.

Prior to his appointment at Florida State University, Dr. Wilson served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Eastern Michigan University with previous public-school experience as director of bands at Hollywood Hills High School and Cooper City High School. Dr. Wilson also served as the associate conductor of the Broward Symphonic Band under Neil Jenkins and the assistant conductor of the Music Ambassadors Europe Music Tour in the summers of 2010 and 2012. Dr. Wilson has studied conducting under the batons of Prof. Richard Clary, Dr. Jack Stamp, Dr. Julian White, Dr. Shelby Chipman, Dr. Roby George, and Maestro Raffaele Ponti.

He has works published with Bravo Music, BRS Music Inc., C.L. Barnhouse, CLW Music Warehouse, Murphy Music Press, Inc., Randall Standridge Music Publications, and Wingert Jones Publications.

Dr. Wilson holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Educators, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and is an honorary member “Friend of the Arts” of Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Mu Alpha. Dr. Wilson is a recipient of the Florida Bandmasters Association “Tom Bishop Award” and is also a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.) He has also been recognized and honored by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Dr. Wilson currently resides in the Sanford/Lake Mary area in Florida, along with his wife, Ashley, and their two children, Addisyn (Addi) and Chandler, Jr. (CJ).