Dr. Kevin M. Callihan

Dr. Kevin M. Callihan Callihan
Assistant Professor of Music
Director of Bands
kcallihan@kwc.edu
270-852-3626
154 Ralph Center for the Arts

 

 


Education

  • D.M.A. in Wind Conducting, summa cum laude, University of Kentucky
  • M.M.E. in Music Education, summa cum laude, Northwestern University
  • M.M. in Music Performance,summa cum laude, Northwestern University
  • B.M.E. summa cum laude, Morehead State University

Areas of Instruction

  • Wind Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Band
  • Composition/Orchestration
  • Applied Low Brass
  • Conducting
  • Music Theory
  • Instrumental Music Education courses

Biography
Dr. Kevin M. Callihan is currently Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he coordinates and directs the instrumental program. He conducts the wind ensemble, concert band, and jazz band and teaches composition, orchestration, applied low brass, conducting, music theory, and various instrumental education courses.

Previously, Callihan was Director of Bands at Apollo High School in Owensboro, KY. He directed and coordinated the program, and conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, and Jazz Band. During his tenure, the marching bands received their only two invitations in school history to state semifinals in class 5A and the concert bands received all distinguished ratings at the regional and state levels performing grade V and VI literature. Prior to his appointment at Apollo High School, Callihan was an Assistant Director of Athletic Bands where he conducted the Northwestern University Basketball Band.

Awards
Dr. Callihan was a recipient of the Russell V. and Hazel B. Morgan Scholarship at Northwestern University, the National Robert Hawkins Memorial Scholarship via the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Theodore Presser Undergraduate Scholar, 2010 Gallaher Performance Competition winner, Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Music, and Raymond P. Ross, Sr. Memorial Award at Morehead State University. As a recipient of three research/creative fellowships at Morehead State University, Callihan provided new repertoire to faculty and student ensembles through his New Concert Transcriptions, Arrangements, and Compositions for Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, Brass Choir, and Wind Band. As a graduate assistant at Northwestern University, he contributed to research in music education through his work titled, “The Parental Influence on Recruitment and Retention in Middle School Music Ensembles.” In addition, as a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky, Callihan contributed to the field of wind conducting with “Paul Dooley’s Masks and Machines: A Formal Analysis and Instructional Guide.” In 2016, Dr. Callihan was awarded the Kentucky Music Educators Association College/University Teacher of the Year in the second district.

Professional Activities
Callihan is a founding member of the Auxilium Trombone Trio, former ensemble in residence at the University of Kentucky, and has performed as a soloist and member of the John Philip Sousa International Band, the Evansville Symphonic Band, the Bend in the River Brass Band, the University of Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Sacred Winds, and several high school and middle school ensembles in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Illinois. Callihan was also a finalist in auditions for positions in the United States Air Force Band and the United States Navy Band. In addition, he has performed with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Rockport Symphony Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra Second Street Jazz Band and Brass Quintet. Teachers include Dr. Cody Birdwell, Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. Richard Miles, Brad Kerns, Michael Mulcahy, Dr. Jeanie Lee, Dr. William Mann, Rex Martin, and Dr. Stacy Baker. Dr. Callihan is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the International Tuba Euphonium Association, the International Trombone Association, and the North American Brass Band Association.