Chris DeVona is the Assistant Director of Bands at James Madison University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, works with the Marching Royal Dukes, and directs the basketball Pep Band. In addition to his ensemble responsibilities, Chris also teaches conducting and marching band procedures courses. Prior to joining the band team at JMU, Chris was on faculty at Eastern University (PA), and he taught high school and middle school band/orchestra in his home state of Connecticut.

When not working with the JMU bands, Chris travels frequently as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for concert and marching ensembles. During the summer and fall seasons, Chris stays actively involved with marching band and drum corps, most recently serving in leadership roles on the staffs at the Blue Knights and Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps.

In addition to his teaching, Chris is also the director and conductor of the PA Brass Ensemble, and he gigs often as a horn player. His recent textbook, Expanding the Canon, an excerpt book for conducting courses, forefronts music by living composers, and his most recent research article is published in the American Bandmasters Association’s Journal of Band Research. Chris also specializes in working with small bands, and his arrangements are published by Murphy Music Press and Eighth Note Publications.

Chris holds undergraduate degrees from the Hartt School and the University of Hartford in music theory and mathematics, and he completed his M.M. in conducting at West Chester University (PA).