Darrin Thornton

Darrin Thornton believes music plays a universal role in our humanity and everyone has the ability to be musical throughout the course of life. His professional career has focused on teaching toward lifelong musical engagement in the public schools and providing leadership that fosters the musical engagement of adults from college students to retirees.

 

Dr. Thornton currently serves as associate dean for academic affairs and outreach for the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture, and a teaching professor of music/music education. While at Penn State, he has taught in the areas of music education foundations, secondary instrumental methods and techniques at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and he formerly served as an assistant director for the Penn State Marching Blue Band. 

 

Thornton’s research interests include teacher preparation and continued professional development, educational access and outreach, learning in ensemble settings, culturally relevant pedagogy, and lifelong music engagement. Dr. Thornton further contributes to the field of music education as a performing percussionist, conductor, adjudicator, clinician, guest lecturer, and consultant, while providing professional and administrative service to school, college, and professional organizations. He was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the State College Area Municipal Band in 2018.

 

Prior to his faculty appointment at Penn State, he taught instrumental music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the state of New York; served on the conducting faculties at the University of Missouri and SUNY-Fredonia; and held administrative posts at the University of Missouri, SUNY-Fredonia, and Penn State.