Our
Composers

Michael Golemo has been the Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Iowa State University since 1999. From 2005 to 2017, he also served as the Chair for the Department of Music & Theatre. In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band, he teaches courses in music education, conducting, and oversees a program of eleven bands.

A native of Chicago, he received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University. He completed his doctorate in wind conducting at Michigan State University. He previously served as Assistant Director of Bands at The University of Akron (OH) and prior to that as Director of Bands at Albion College (MI).

With over 400 instrumental arrangements, transcriptions and compositions to his credit, Dr. Golemo has had works performed by a variety of performers and ensembles – from Carnegie Hall to Russia – Louie Bellson, Wynton Marsalis, Anita Baker, Simon Estes, and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra to name a few.

He has arranged music for high school and college marching bands and often writes for the Iowa State University “Cyclone” Marching Band. His music is published by Ludwig Music Publishers, Dorn Publications, Santa Barbara Music Publishers, C.L. Barnhouse Company and Great Works Publishing.

Dr. Golemo stays active nationally and internationally as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He has received several notable awards, including the Iowa State University Alumni Association’s Superior Service to Alumni Award, the Iowa State College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Outstanding Achievement in Departmental Leadership Award, and Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Medal, that organization’s highest honor.

He is a past president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, the Big Twelve Band Directors Association, and is a past National President and Board of Trustees member for Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity. He is the conductor of the Ames Municipal Band and in 2007, Dr. Golemo was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.