UNM Department of Music Welcomes Dr. Emily Moss as the New Director of Band

Dr. Emily Moss will be joining us as a Professor of Music and the Director of Bands starting in August 2023. She is currently the Director of Bands at California State University in Los Angeles. As Director of Bands, she conducts the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses and conducting, and oversees the Instrumental Area. Prior to her current position, she conducted the Wind Ensemble and taught courses in music education for the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Moss began her collegiate music studies at the University of Washington in Seattle, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After teaching middle school band for six years, Dr. Moss served as a teaching assistant with the University Bands at the University of Northern Colorado, earning her Master’s degree in Wind Conducting and the Doctor of Arts in Music Education and Bassoon Performance, studying with Kenneth Singleton, Richard Mayne, and Charles Hanson.

As a conductor and clinician, Dr. Moss is in high demand across the United States and Canada, and regularly gives band clinics at middle and high schools throughout Southern California. Her style of teaching and rehearsing shows everyone in the room her commitment to music education, specifically to the musical skills and high-level performance ability of each student with which she gets to work. She is also an accomplished bassoonist, actively performing during her degree programs in Washington and Colorado, with the Conservatory Orchestra and other ensembles at Brooklyn College, and for student and faculty recitals at Cal State LA.

Dr. Moss has presented at conferences across the United States on topics ranging from effective rehearsing and good ensemble tone to practical tips for non-percussionist band directors. Her professional memberships include College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) where she serves as the President of the Western Division, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) where she serves on the Board of Directors, National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and the National Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi.

“I could not be more thrilled to be joining the faculty at UNM as the Director of Bands. Their reputation of excellence was a huge draw, and to have the opportunity to continue the stellar legacy of Eric Rombach-Kendall and the other exceptional former DOBs is an incredible honor. Joining the team of amazing colleagues and students that make up the department and band program is a dream for me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!” – Dr. Emily Moss

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Moss join our team at the University of New Mexico. She is an exceptional educator, conductor, and leader. I am positive she will have a profound impact, not only at UNM but across the state and region.” – Dr. Michael Hix, Department Chair