More than 6,000 student musicians spanning two generations marched their ways into the hearts of Husky Nation during the three-decade tenure of Dr. Brad McDavid. As the internationally recognized conductor retires, he leaves an unparalleled legacy as only the fourth director in the Husky Marching Band’s 94-year history.
Brad’s remarkable influence will be forever commemorated with the Husky Marching Band Endowed Fund in Honor of Dr. Brad McDavid, providing a perpetual source of funding to educate student musicians.
“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege,” Brad says emotionally. “I hope every student will remember being part of the loyal Band family and all the great musical, social and cultural experiences they enjoyed. I also hope their time with us heightened their appreciation of the arts in general and they have gone on to instill that in their families.”
In his final year with the Huskies, Brad taught 11 children of former Band members — one of the many incredible multigenerational memories he says he takes with him.
He recalls the 220 halftime shows he directed, especially the annual Salute to Service honoring the military. He says he’s proud of maintaining the Husky Marching Band’s histories and traditions while incorporating new songs to enthrall every Husky fan.
Brad’s influence extends far beyond Montlake. He has led the Husky Marching Band on performance tours of Australia, China, Scandinavia, Japan, France, Ireland and Italy. He served as the head artistic director for the 1,700-member international Beijing Olympic Orchestra in 2008 and conducted a 7,300-member mass marching band in Osaka, Japan, in 2015.
In retirement, he will join the Husky Alumni Marching Band. Brad and his wife Janie are looking forward to traveling, becoming first-time tailgaters as UW Football season-ticket holders, and being able to enjoy his son Skylar’s final year at Washington State as drum major and trombone player in the Cougar Marching Band.
