Dr. David O'Shields recently retired from teaching after spending ten years on the faculty at Lexington High School (SC), serving as Director of Bands for the past five years. Dr. O’Shields is a native of West Point, Mississippi and a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received both the Bachelor of Music Education and the Master of Music Education degrees. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. Dr. O'Shields served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. He previously served as Director of Bands and Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Meridian (MS) Public School District and as Director of Bands at New Hope HS (MS).
Dr. O'Shields is a four-time recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence. The Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, Professional Bandmasters Fraternity has recognized Dr. O’Shields as the Outstanding Bandmaster in South Carolina and as Outstanding Contributor to Bands in South Carolina. He recently served as chair of the adjudication committee and president-elect of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. Dr. O’Shields has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and is a former state chairman for the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association. He served as Southeastern District Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi, guiding chapters throughout the region and working on a national level in the areas of student leadership and musical development for chapters. Dr. O'Shields holds professional memberships in numerous organizations including the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu.
As a performer, Dr. O’Shields has played professionally on both clarinet and piano for over thirty years, including performances with the Mississippi Symphony, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Mobile Symphonic Pops Orchestra, and Gulf Coast Symphony in addition to numerous free-lance engagements for churches and private events. Dr. O’Shields currently performs regularly on piano with the Swing Set Dance Band, the Charles Gatch Big Band, and on clarinet in the Palmetto Concert Band.
Contact David at Davido@musicalinnovations.biz
