Concert Band

Prof. Damien Crutcher is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Cass Technical High School. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, and a Master’s in Conducting from the University of Michigan. Damien studied horn with Bryan Kennedy and Doug Campbell and Conducting with H. Robert Reynolds.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Damien served as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Southfield-Lathrup High School. Under his direction the Southfield-Lathrup ensembles, including the Lathrup Symphony Band have performed in San Francisco, Chicago, the Bahamas, the White House and Carnegie Hall. Many of his students from Southfield Lathrup are currently professional musicians, music teachers and artists across the country.

He is currently the co founder and CEO of Crescendo Detroit. Crescendo Detroit is a nonprofit who’s mission is to transform the lives of school age children, ages 5-18, in Detroit, by engaging kids in intense instrumental music, vocal music and dance programs that promote artistic excellence and character building. It is the goal of Crescendo Detroit to create a neighborhood to college pipeline using the arts.

Damien is a frequent guest conductor and clinician throughout Michigan and Ohio and also serves as the conductor of the Farmington Community Band and the DSO’s Dettoit Community Concert Band.

Symphonic Band

J. Eric Wilson, Professor of Ensembles and Conducting, has been Director of Bands at Baylor University since 2006. He provides administrative leadership for all aspects of the band program, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and teaches and oversees undergraduate and graduate conducting curricula. Dr. Wilson is Past-President of the Big 12 Band Directors Association and current President of the College Band Directors National Association Southwestern Division. He was recently elected into the American Bandmasters Association and honored as Outstanding Professor for Tenured Teaching by Baylor University in 2014. Dr. Wilson is in high demand as conducting clinician and adjudicator. He has directed numerous honor bands and conducted his own groups at TMEA, CBDNA, and The Midwest Clinic conventions. Prior to joining the Baylor faculty, he served twelve years on the faculty of Abilene Christian University. Dr. Wilson holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from ACU. Prior to his university appointments, Dr. Wilson taught in the Texas public school system.