Barry Lee Houser (born June 21, 1977) is an American musician and

conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Biology and medicine * Bone conduction, the conduction of sound to the inner ear * Conduction aphasia, a language disorder Mathematics * Conductor (ring theory) * Conductor of an abelian variety * Cond ...

. He is the current director of the University of Illinois Marching Illini and Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U of I, Illinois, or University of Illinois) is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois, United States. Established in 1867, it is the f ...

. Houser also conducts the Illinois Wind Orchestra, the basketball and volleyball bands, and teaches in the School of Music. Houser is the Director and Head Clinician for the Smith Walbridge Clinics.

Education and personal life

Houser grew up in

North Liberty, Indiana North Liberty is a town in Liberty Township, St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,623 at the 2020 Census. North Liberty is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN- MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. Histor ...

, and attended John Glenn High School in

Walkerton, Indiana Walkerton is a town in Lincoln Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, Lincoln Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 2,144 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 Census. It is part ...

. Houser attended the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preem ...

, majoring in music education, and performed as a trumpet player and eventually drum major of the Gator Marching Band. After teaching in public high schools, in 2007, Houser attended the University of Illinois for a master's degree in wind band conducting, where he studied under James Keene and Pete Griffin. While a student at Illinois, Houser worked as a graduate assistant, where he conducted athletic bands and assisted with directing the Marching Illini, the band he would later lead. In June 22, 2007, Houser married Abigail Dobies.

Career

Eastern Illinois University (2008–2011)

Houser's first band-directing job was at

Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public university in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradual ...

Charleston, Illinois Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,286, as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor, Mattoon, Illinois, Ma ...

, as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands. The Eastern Illinois University Marching Panthers was the first college marching band Houser directed.

University of Illinois Marching Illini (2011–present)

After the resignation of director Pete Griffin, the University of Illinois hired Houser as the new director of the University of Illinois Marching Illini, a marching band. The band has performed at

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...

home football games, an It's On Us rally held by Vice President Joe Biden, the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The band performed at the end of the parade. During Houser's time at the university, the band has held a fundraiser called the "Sousaphone 5K." After the first year the race was held, Houser agreed to run the 5K the following year while wearing a

sousaphone The sousaphone ( ) is a brass musical instrument in the tuba family. Created around 1893 by J.W. Pepper & Son, J. W. Pepper at the direction of American bandleader John Philip Sousa (after whom the instrument was then named), it was design ...

if the band raised $5,000. Another band fundraiser included the piccolo section's participation in a dance marathon.

2015 Ohio State recruitment

In April 2015, the ''News-Gazette'' reported that

Ohio State University The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one ...

was recruiting Houser to serve as the director of their marching band. After interviewing and being named a finalist, Houser withdrew his candidacy.

Other work

Houser is also the President of the Smith Walbridge Drum Major Clinics. Houser first joined the staff in 1995. Houser has been selected to conduct the Macy's Great American Marching Band six times.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Houser, Barry L. Living people 1977 births University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty University of Florida alumni American bandleaders Eastern Illinois University people