Shorter College welcomes Andrea Strauss as new director of marching band

June 15 - Strauss, a veteran director of bands at Georgia Tech, has now found a home at Shorter College. Dr. Strauss, who also served as associate director of the 1992-1996 Atlanta Olympic Band, was recently tapped to serve as Shorter College’s director of marching band and assistant director of instrumental activities.

For 16 years, Dr. Strauss served as the associate director and director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to sustaining a career in public school teaching, Dr. Strauss served as the associate director of the Atlanta Olympic Band. Significant performances included the closing ceremonies for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta; the Inaugural Parade for President Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C. and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Dr. Strauss has presented clinics on various aspects of teaching and conducting for the Eastern and Northwestern Division MENC In-Service Conferences, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and numerous GMEA In-Service Conferences and university symposia. She has received the NBA Citation of Excellence, the Women Band Directors' National Association Scroll of Excellence, and Tau Beta Sigma’s Outstanding Service to Music Award and the Stanley G. Finck Memorial Award.  In addition, Dr. Strauss was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and has been a recipient of the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture Outstanding Faculty for Education and Practice Award.   She is currently a member of the board of directors for the National Band Association and has served as state chair and national representative for the CBDNA, NBA, Tau Beta Sigma, and on the board of directors for Phi Beta Mu. Dr. Strauss has taught instrumental music at the elementary, middle, high school, college, and adult-community levels, and has taught at both public and private schools in Georgia. She attained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in music education with a minor in conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi and the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in clarinet performance.

Dr. Strauss continues to be a clarinetist and assistant conductor of the Cobb Wind Symphony, and the Tara Winds Community Band, both of which have performed for the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Ill.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges, and The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern colleges. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas, master’s level and undergraduate degree programs for working adults, online courses, and a vibrant intercollegiate athletic program. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

###