Brian W. Dodd Named Director of the AOSFB

Ohio State Fair officials have announced that Brian W. Dodd of Bladensburg in Knox County has been named as director of the All-Ohio State Fair Band.

As director, Dodd will have a variety of responsibilities throughout the year as well as during the 2016 Fair. He will recruit, prepare and manage a talented ensemble of more than 200 high school musicians selected to represent Ohio's diverse population in the famed All-Ohio State Fair Band. Dodd is entering his 10th year as an All-Ohio State Fair Band staff member and first as director.

Dodd is a graduate of Philo High School in Muskingum County and The Ohio State University. He holds an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree and has received the Honor to Educator Awards from West Holmes Schools six times. Mr. Dodd is a recipient of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award and was named Teacher of the Year two times for the East Knox Schools. Prior to his time at West Holmes, Mr. Dodd served as a member of the Adjunct Music Faculty at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and spent 14 years as Director of Music at East Knox High School.

“I am really honored and excited for this opportunity to continue serving the All-Ohio State Fair Band as Director,” an enthusiastic Dodd explained. “I look forward to building on the traditions established by Mr. Santa-Emma and the other fine directors that came before me. I am excited to work with the students from fine music programs from across our wonderful state as they continue to grow – both as musicians and positive leaders. It is with excitement that I accept this role as I eagerly look forward to the band’s performances at the 2016 Ohio State Fair.”

Dodd is in his 31st year as a high school band director and educator, and is in his 17th year as director of bands at West Holmes High School in Millersburg where he currently directs 235 students in the school’s two concert bands, jazz band, pep band, marching band and percussion ensemble. His bands have performed throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Florida, and regularly perform for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His students participate in                   
numerous honor bands throughout the state including the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir, in which he has had members for the past 31 years.

Dodd is a member of Ohio Music Education Association and served as district chairman and host of OMEA District 10 Large Group Adjudicated Event. He remains active as a performer in the North Central Ohio area and is a member of American Federation of Musicians Local #159. He and his wife Lori currently reside in Bladensburg.

In September, former All-Ohio State Fair Band Director Donald F. Santa-Emma of Rocky River in Cuyahoga County  announced his retirement after serving on the band’s staff for 42 years and spending the last 17 years as director.

The All-Ohio State Fair Band has been a featured attraction of the Ohio State Fair since 1925. The band selects approximately 200 superior high school musicians for membership annually based on a number of factors including student ability and recommendation from their local band directors. Participating students gain a unique musical and educational experience, as well as an opportunity to build many lasting friendships during a two-week stay at the Ohio State Fair. The All-Ohio State Fair Band arrives at the Ohio Expo Center just days before the Fair opens, learning all of their music in a limited time. They remain housed on-site and perform nearly 100 times during the 12-day Fair.

---