Dr. Daniel Bolin was appointed music director of the Indianapolis Municipal Band in 2007. He was appointed chair of the School of Music at Butler University in 2009 having previously served in that position from 1995 -2001. Dr. Bolin was director of the Symphonic Band and associate professor of music at the Jordan College of Fine Arts, Butler University. He received his B.M. and M.M. degrees from Butler and his Ed.D. from Indiana University. Dr. Bolin retired from Butler University in May 2018 and the Indianapolis Municipal Band in April 2018.
Prior to his appointment at Butler, he was an administrator in the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township on the south side of Indianapolis. His duties included the positions of assistant principal at Southport High School, director of secondary education, personnel director, assistant superintendent and interim superintendent.
During his career in music education Dr. Bolin served as band director at Wood High School and Manual High School in the Indianapolis Public School system. He also developed outstanding bands at Lebanon (Indiana) High School and Southport High School. In 1977 he was elected into the American School Band Directors Association and selected as the Outstanding Young Band Director for Indiana.
Additional activities include service as the executive secretary of the Indiana Music Festival Association where he was responsible for administering all state level music contests in Indiana. He has served as a member of the Indiana Music Educators Association board and was secretary of the committee that founded the Indiana State School Music Association. Additionally, he has served as vice-president of the board of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, chairman of the Board of Young Audiences of Indiana, and has been a member of the board of the Perry Township Educational Foundation.
His performing background includes the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and principal tuba with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States and for Festivals at Sea.
Dr. Bolin studied conducting with Dr. John Colbert and Dr. Charles Henzie during his undergraduate work at Butler. In addition, he has attended numerous advanced conducting symposiums where he worked with some of America’s foremost wind band conductors including Dr. William D. Revelli, H. Robert Reynolds, Frank Batistti, Col. William Santleman, and Frederick Fennell. He has guest conducted The United States Army Band, The United States Coast Guard Band, The United States Air Force Academy Band, The United States Air Force Band of Flight, and The United States Army Field Band. In 1981 he founded the Great Lake Music Camp which served middle school and high school musicians throughout the Midwest for twenty three years. He has also served on the staff of the Purdue University Band Camp, the Indiana University Music Clinic, the Ball State University Summer Music Camp, and the Smith-Walbridge Band Camp.
Dr. Bolin is a recipient of the United States Army Civilian Public Service medal and has been recognized by "Who's Who in America." He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, the Music Educators National Conference, Indiana Music Educators Association and an associate member of the American Bandmasters Association. In November of 2016 Dan was elected to the Indiana Bandmasters Hall of Fame. In March 2017 Dan received the "Hall of Fame Award" sponsored by the Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an International Band Director's fraternity. (video of the award presentation speech provided below)
At his last concert with IMB; on April 17th, 2018, Dr. Bolin received the Sagamore of the Wabash. This is one of the highest distinctions that a Hoosier can receive.
Prior to his appointment at Butler, he was an administrator in the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township on the south side of Indianapolis. His duties included the positions of assistant principal at Southport High School, director of secondary education, personnel director, assistant superintendent and interim superintendent.
During his career in music education Dr. Bolin served as band director at Wood High School and Manual High School in the Indianapolis Public School system. He also developed outstanding bands at Lebanon (Indiana) High School and Southport High School. In 1977 he was elected into the American School Band Directors Association and selected as the Outstanding Young Band Director for Indiana.
Additional activities include service as the executive secretary of the Indiana Music Festival Association where he was responsible for administering all state level music contests in Indiana. He has served as a member of the Indiana Music Educators Association board and was secretary of the committee that founded the Indiana State School Music Association. Additionally, he has served as vice-president of the board of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, chairman of the Board of Young Audiences of Indiana, and has been a member of the board of the Perry Township Educational Foundation.
His performing background includes the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and principal tuba with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States and for Festivals at Sea.
Dr. Bolin studied conducting with Dr. John Colbert and Dr. Charles Henzie during his undergraduate work at Butler. In addition, he has attended numerous advanced conducting symposiums where he worked with some of America’s foremost wind band conductors including Dr. William D. Revelli, H. Robert Reynolds, Frank Batistti, Col. William Santleman, and Frederick Fennell. He has guest conducted The United States Army Band, The United States Coast Guard Band, The United States Air Force Academy Band, The United States Air Force Band of Flight, and The United States Army Field Band. In 1981 he founded the Great Lake Music Camp which served middle school and high school musicians throughout the Midwest for twenty three years. He has also served on the staff of the Purdue University Band Camp, the Indiana University Music Clinic, the Ball State University Summer Music Camp, and the Smith-Walbridge Band Camp.
Dr. Bolin is a recipient of the United States Army Civilian Public Service medal and has been recognized by "Who's Who in America." He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, American School Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, the Music Educators National Conference, Indiana Music Educators Association and an associate member of the American Bandmasters Association. In November of 2016 Dan was elected to the Indiana Bandmasters Hall of Fame. In March 2017 Dan received the "Hall of Fame Award" sponsored by the Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an International Band Director's fraternity. (video of the award presentation speech provided below)
At his last concert with IMB; on April 17th, 2018, Dr. Bolin received the Sagamore of the Wabash. This is one of the highest distinctions that a Hoosier can receive.