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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


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800 E. Summit St.
Kent, OH 44242

  • 330-672-3000
  • info@kent.edu

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