Dr. Sarah Fabian serves as both the Director of Athletic Bands and as an Assistant Professor of Music at Gardner-Webb University. Among her duties, she directs the Marching Bulldogs and pep band as well as serves as director of percussion and teaches courses in music education. A passionate advocate for music education at all levels, Fabian is internationally active as a clinician, educator, conductor, adjudicator, presenter and performer.
Previously, Fabian served as the Director of Bands at Buena Vista University where she taught undergraduate instrumental conducting, class percussion and private lessons. She also served as the conductor for the concert band, marching band, and pep band.
Fabian earned her Ph.D. in Music Education from George Mason University. Before that, she graduated from both Towson University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in Percussion and Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory where she earned a Master’s in Music Education.
Fabian has an extensive history in the drum and bugle corps circuit. Before teaching, Fabian was a five-year marching member of Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International. Her experiences lead her to staffing positions for multiple drum corps and indoor organizations. She currently has the honor of teaching with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.
Fabian has the privilege of being endorsed by Vic Firth sticks, Zildjan cymbals, Balter mallets, and Remo Drumheads. She is also a member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the Iowa Music Educators Association, International Society for Music Educators (ISME), and the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).
On this episode of Bulldog Dialogue, we’ll explore a musical tradition that is over a century old and counting. Guests include Dr. Sarah Fabian, director of athletic bands at Gardner-Webb and Jim Coates, CEO and Executive Director for the internationally recognized Carolina Crown. Marching bands and college campuses go hand in hand, and on episode 5 we’ll dive into why this universally appreciated music appeals to such a wide and varied audience.
