OUR DIRECTOR

Dr. Bruce T. Ammann

Director of Bands, Emeritus

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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In May, 2017, Dr. Bruce Ammann retired as Director of Bands, Emeritus, from the

faculty at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dr. Ammann came to

Augustana in the fall of 1989. He was tenured as the Director of Bands for 24 years and

he also served as the Music Department Chair for six years. He spent his final four years

at Augustana as the Coordinator of Woodwind Studies and Professor of Music, teaching

applied saxophone and courses in conducting and music education. Dr. Ammann is

active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the country. He has directed all-state

bands in Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, and Rhode Island. Under his

direction the Augustana Band presented concerts at state, regional, and national

conventions. He led the Augustana Band on four international tours.

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Prior to his appointment at Augustana University, Dr. Ammann served on the faculties of

Arizona State University and the University of Florida. He also taught for eight years in

the public schools of Arizona. Dr. Ammann holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in

Instrumental Conducting from Arizona State University, the Master of Music degree in

Saxophone Performance and the Bachelor of Music Education degree both from the

University of Arizona. In 1996, Dr. Ammann was elected to membership in the

American Bandmasters Association (ABA) and in 2009, he was elected to serve on their

Board of Directors. In 1997, he was selected to receive the Outstanding Bandmaster

Award for the state of South Dakota. In May 2001, Dr. Ammann was chosen to receive

the Vernon and Mildred Niebuhr Faculty Excellence Award. This is the highest award

presented to an Augustana faculty member. He is also Past President of the South Dakota

Music Educators Association (SDMEA).

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Dr.Ammann has served as the conductor of the ViewPoint Concert Band since the 2020

band season.

Dr. Ammann and his wife MelaDee currently reside in Queen Creek, Arizona.