Marshall Hawkins - Interim Musical Director & Principal Conductor

Since the NCBA’s Concert at Mt. Vernon on July 4th 2006, the band has been
rehearsed and conducted by Marshall Hawkins who was interim Associate
Conductor during the period Mr. Stratton was the Musical Director. Prior to
that time, Mr. Hawkins was a member of the trombone section.

Mr. Hawkins brings years of experience to the podium having served twenty
two years in the United States Navy. Following service in a number of bands
afloat and ashore, he was entered in to the Advanced Course at the Navy
School of Music in Washington, DC. From there he was assigned to the staff
as an instructor. While on the staff at the Schools of Music, Mr. Hawkins
was assigned, among other duties, as the Director of the Student Bandleader
Course. During his tenure he graduated 14 classes. In fact, at one time 80%
of the Navy’s Bandmasters had been his students.

In 1971 Mr. Hawkins departed from the Navy as a Master Chief Musician after
serving twenty two years. At the time of his separation he was serving as
the first assigned leader for the famed United States Navy Band Commodores
jazz assemble as well as the Director of the Ceremonial Band Complex that
coordinated the activities of not only the Ceremonial Band, but all small
groups, such as the String Quartet, the J G’s seven piece band and the
Mariner’s Combo.

While a freshman at Howard University, Mr. Hawkins entered the Navy and
continued his undergraduate studies through many colleges but was awarded
his B.A. from Carthage College and in time earned his Masters in Conducting
and Band Administration from the Catholic University of America, prior to
being transferred to the advancement examinations for Navy musicians for
four years after which he became the Director of the NATO Band stationed in
Naples, Italy.

When not rehearsing or conducting the band, he is active in many bands as a
freelance musician and also teaches low brass instrumentalists privately at
his studio. Having a passion for music in general, but band music in
particular, he is frequently called on as a consultant and speaks often on
behalf of continuing music education. Along with these activities, as a
craftsman piano technician, preparing pianos for many classical
performances, Mr. Hawkins has operated a very successful piano service
business for many years.