Dr. John Franklin

About Dr. Franklin

Dr. John Franklin joined the faculty of the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University as the Interim Director of Bands in July 2023.  A native of Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Franklin began his career as a music educator/band director in 1998 teaching middle and high school band and chorus in the citrus farm towns of central Florida.  This was followed by graduate studies at Indiana University which led to teaching and conducting appointments at several universities including the University of West Georgia (Carrollton, GA), East Carolina University (Greenville, NC), Duke University (Durham, NC), Kent State University (Kent, OH), and, most recently as the Interim Director of Bands at McMurry University (Abilene, TX).

Dr. Franklin’s scholarly and pedagogical interests include the following:

1. The development of effective and efficient rehearsal strategies, including models of domain-balanced, multiple intelligence-based conceptual teaching practices; proactive error detection & prediction; holistic score study; applications of mindfulness practices in the rehearsal setting; inclusion of student-focused creativity & contribution; and music education student mentorship within the rehearsal process

• The emerging 21^st century wind ensemble repertoire, composers, conductors, and educators, especially those of expansive diversity and representation

• Factors that influence cultural change and development within educational instrumental programs

• The scope, sequence, and effectiveness of instrumental conducting educational experiences

Dr. Franklin’s scholarly work has been published in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series and he has been a regular presenter at the CBDNA Athletic Band Conference since 2011.  Dr. Franklin’s programming reflects a commitment to authentic representation, diversity, and inclusiveness including recent collaborations with composers such as Jodie Blackshaw and Nubia Jaime Donjuan.  He maintains a national presence in the areas of band leadership and culture training and remains in steady demand as a clinician and guest conductor. His catalogue of over 100 athletic and concert band arrangements have been performed by high school and university bands across the United States.  He currently serves as a mentor, culture coach, and leadership and communication expert for middle, high school, and university band programs and directors as part of the Leaders Creating Leaders mentorshipprogram.

Dr. Franklin completed his Doctor of Music in Wind Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN).   He holds a Master of Music Education also from Indiana University and the Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL).  Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), the National Band Association (NBA), and honorary memberships in Phi Mu Alpha (Zeta Psi chapter), Kappa Kappa Psi (Beta Psi chapter), and Tau Beta Sigma (Alpha Gamma chapter).

Last updated: 12/14/2023