Marlin McKay Named New Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music
Submitted on July 3, 2020
An exciting new addition to the incredibly talented faculty at Georgetown College, Marlin KcKay brings a unique skillset and a fascinating background to his new role as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music.
Professor McKay, a jazz recording artist, is originally from Amarillo, Texas and studied Education and Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsion – Stevens Point. For Professor McKay, his time achieving his bachelor’s degree was crucial to his love of performing. “While attending UWSP, I discovered my love for jazz as a performer and recorded my first record that landed me a spot in the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency,” said McKay. “This residency provided me with an amazing opportunity to study alongside other young artist from around the world with jazz legends in the field.”
From there, Professor McKay went on to participate in the Stearns Institute for Young Artists, where he would eventually meet his musical mentor, the late Dr. David Baker. It was through Dr. Baker that McKay would receive an offer attend Indiana University to study and perform in the acclaimed Baker Band.
Professor McKay said, “While studying at IU, I had the great fortune of also examining commercial music through my graduate assistantship with the IU Soul Revue, a group dedicated to preserving, performing, and advancing the diaspora of Black American Music.”
After graduating with his master’s degree from Indiana University, McKay worked in the music department at IU before eventually taking a professorship at Kentucky State University, where he taught for several years before recently accepting his new position at Georgetown College.
Professor McKay has big plans for his time at Georgetown College and is excited about the possibilities in his new position. “I plan to expand the size of the ensemble and bring my experience with Jazz and Commercial music together to create a one of a kind experience with a modern New Orleans infused marching style to Georgetown College.”
His unique position as both a musician and a professor is a benefit to music students in helping them gain real-world, relevant knowledge. “In addition to my teaching philosophy, my biggest joy in my career has been my ability to have one foot on the band stand and one foot in the classroom. I feel that this keeps the information relevant for the classroom by keeping a finger on the pulse of a changing world.”
Georgetown College looks forward to the future of Tiger Bands and the music department with Professor McKay as a key figure in that future.