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    Darin Olson

    Darin Olson

    Assistant Professor - Director of Athletic Bands - Associate Director of Bands - Symphony Band - University Bands
    Campus:
    Kent
    Office Location:
    E108
    Contact Information
    Email:
    dolson9@kent.edu
    Phone:
    330-672-2172

    Biography

    Dr. Darin Olson is the director of athletic bands at Kent State University. A native of South Dakota, he received a Bachelor of Music Education from South Dakota State University, a Master of Music from the University of Missouri, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Ohio State University.

    From 2013-2020, Olson served as assistant director of bands at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). In this role, he designed drill and wrote musical arrangements for the UW Marching Band, directed athletic bands at events for basketball, hockey, and volleyball, conducted a concert band, and taught courses on conducting and marching band techniques within the Mead Witter School of Music. Prior to his appointment at UW, he served as assistant director of bands at Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, which was highlighted by an appearance in the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England.

    Olson is active as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in both the marching and concert mediums. He is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). His achievements in academic settings have been recognized by induction into both the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Societies.

    Learn more about Kent State bands

    Blog Posts

    Composer Spotlight Series: Rachel Portman
    Celebrating Black History Month: Undine Smith Moore-Musician and Composer
    Jay Dorfman Publishes Second Edition of Book Focused on Technology-based Music Teaching
    Voice Faculty Member Jay White Leads Busy Month of Teaching, Performing and Conducting
    2021 Glauser School Concerto Competition Winners Announced
    Tiago Delgado (M.M. ‘17) Joins Memorial University Faculty
    Pianist Omar Roy (M.M. ‘15) joins the University of South Carolina Faculty
    Pianist Donna Lee Nominated for Award from the Kent State Alumni Association
    Music Education Coordinator Jay Dorfman Publishes Research and Contributes to New Book
    Music Faculty Member Wendy K. Matthews Authors Chapter in New Book
    School of Music
    College of the Arts

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    1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242


    Mailing Address

    800 E. Summit St.
    Kent, OH 44242

    • 330-672-3000
    • info@kent.edu

    Contact Us

    Office: 330-672-2172 schoolofmusic@kent.edu
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