Josh Byrd

Josh Byrd is a Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of West Georgia (UWG), housed within the School of Visual and Performing Arts in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He oversees the UWG band program, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, and instrumental pedagogy. His career includes prior roles as Director of Bands at Arrowhead High School (WI) and Assistant Director of Bands in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Dr. Byrd holds a B.M. in Music Education (University of Georgia, 2000), M.M. in Instrumental Conducting (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2005), and D.M.A. in Conducting (University of Georgia, 2011). His research and creative work focus on advancing wind ensemble performance, music education practices, and the promotion of new compositions through commissioning consortiums and world premieres.

He is an active clinician, presenting at national conferences such as the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and CBDNA National Conference. Notable achievements include leading the UWG Wind Ensemble’s historic 2018 performance at GMEA and its first CBDNA Southern Division Conference appearance in 2020. As an arranger, his works include Beethoven’s Opus 103b and Chabrier’s Éspaña Rhapsody.

Dr. Byrd’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and Phi Beta Mu. He also serves as conductor of the West Georgia Winds, a regional honor band.