Biography and education
John Denis has several years of Texas band directing experience working with middle school and high school students. Dr. Denis has been active as a clinician in Texas and has published three books: Tuning with Technology: An Unofficial Guide to Tonal Energy and the Harmony Director, Program Notes: A Comprehensive Guide to Band Directing, and A Band Director’s Guide to Beginning Woodwinds. Additionally, his scholarly writing has been featured in publications such as Update: Applications of Research in Music Education; the International Journal of Music Education; and Contributions to Music Education. He regularly presents at state, national, and international conferences such as the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic and Convention, The Midwest Clinic, Florida Music Educators Association Conference, and ISME World Conference, and NAfME Teacher In-service Conference.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Denis, John Michael. Video Guided Reflections in the Music Education Classroom, Texas State University, $4044.26. (Submitted: March 22, 2018, Funded: August 15, 2018 - December 15, 2018). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Creator/Producer/Host, Program Notes: The Band Director Podcast. October 2017 - Present.
- Denis, J. M., & Brinckmeyer, L. (n.d.). I Teach Choir, Too? A Resource for Band Directors /Instrumentalists Who Teach Choir. GIA Publications.
- Denis, J. M. (2026). A Band Director’s Guide to Beginning Woodwinds. Self-Published.
- Denis, J. M. (2023). Perceived Preparedness to Teach Over Time: A Longitudinal Case Study of Instrumental Music Teachers. International Journal of Music Education.
- Denis, J. M. (2023, October). Sound Bites - College: Effective Preservice Teacher Education. Southwestern Musician.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award in Scholarly/Creative. December 2022 - August 2023
- Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Service. June 2021
- Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. 2019
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award in Teaching, College of Fine Arts and Communications. August 2019
- Award / Honor Recipient: GATS (Graduate Assistantship Tuition Scholarship). 2013 - May 2017
Featured service activities
- Chair
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
- Member
Academic Advisory Council
- Member
Saxophone One-year Assistant Professor Search Committee
- Member
Teacher Education Council
- Member
Music Executive Personnel Committee
- Other
Cru