DR. DAVID WACYK is a conductor and educator dedicated to serving students, the community, and the profession through meaningful music making. David serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Washington, where he conducts the SMU Wind Ensemble and the Saints Pep Band, and teaches music theory.  

 

Before coming to Saint Martin's University, David taught instrumental conducting at Towson University, and as a Doctoral student at the University of Maryland he served as Assistant Conductor of the Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Prior to his Doctoral work, David was Director of Bands at North Harford High School, where he directed instrumental ensembles and taught music theory. 

 

David's scholarship focuses on the modernist wind music of Twentieth-century composers, including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. Most recently, David has accepted an invitation to discuss the wind music of Ida Gotkovksy at the 2020 College Band Directors National Association's West/Northwest Conference. Additionally, in 2014 he was invited by the Maryland Music Educators Association to present a performance plus session entitled “Chamber Ensembles: Creating Better Musicians for the Greater Good. From 2009-2015 David was the founding conductor of the Upper Chesapeake Wind Ensemble, and in 2012 David was awarded second place for the American Prize in conducting. 

​

David holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and Master of Music degree in Conducting from University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Western Michigan University.  David maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. He resides in Yelm, Washington with his wife Laurel, and son Roger.