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Chris Dessent
Chris Dessent

Role(s):

Bands of America Adjudicator

Specialties:

Affiliations:

Chris Dessent (Fort Wayne, Indiana) is a music educator, conductor, composer, and arranger. He currently serves as Assistant Band Director and Assistant Professor of Practice at Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he co-directs the university’s two concert bands and teaches music education courses. Prior to this position, Dessent was an Associate Band Director at Fishers High School (FHS) in Fishers, Indiana. His responsibilities there included working with the school’s award-winning concert bands, marching band, and jazz bands. Under his direction, the FHS bands consistently received top ratings at state and national contests and festivals. Dessent’s other responsibilities included working with the school’s pep band, pit orchestra, and chamber ensemble program. From 2015-2021, he served as a Band Director at Fishers Junior High School and Sand Creek Intermediate School. From 2012-2015, Dessent taught K-8 general music, band, and choir in Cincinnati Public Schools. Dessent is also a highly sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and performer. He is on faculty with the Indiana Clarinet Experience and frequently adjudicates for Bands of America events across the country. Dessent is a woodwind specialist, maintaining a private studio of clarinet and saxophone students in his community. As a composer and arranger, his works for wind ensemble and other mediums reflect Dessent’s diverse musical experiences and interests. A 2012 graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Dessent received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with high distinction, studying clarinet with Howard Klug. In May of 2023, Dessent received a Master of Music Education degree from Butler University in Indianapolis.