Justin McManus

Director of Athletic Bands

Music

Dr. Justin McManus (he/him) is the Director of Athletic Bands, Assistant Director of Wind Bands, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut. In this capacity, he directs the “Pride of Connecticut” Marching Band, Basketball and Hockey Pep Bands, and conducts other ensembles in the instrumental music program.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. McManus was Assistant Director of University Bands at the University of Notre Dame, where he assisted with the “Band of the Fighting Irish” Marching Band, directed the men’s and women’s basketball pep bands, and assisted with the hockey pep band. Additionally, he conducted the Notre Dame Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, University Band, Horn Choir, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, and Summer Band; taught a course in instrumental methods; and coordinated recruiting, community outreach, peer mentorship programs, social media, and publications.

Dr. McManus has conducted ensembles in Australia, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Peru, South Africa, and Italy, and adjudicated the 2013 New Zealand National Concert Band Association Festival. As a clinician, he has worked with middle and high school band programs from California, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Dr. McManus recently served as conductor of the Connecticut-based Laurel Music Camp Concert Band and was selected to direct the Connecticut Music Educators Association Northern Region Concert Band. Following his work at Notre Dame, he served on the staff of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California.

Originally from Torrington, Connecticut, McManus received the Doctor of Music Arts in music education from the School of Music at Boston University, master’s and undergraduate degrees in music performance and education from the University of Connecticut, and a certificate in public policy from the University of Pennsylvania. While at UConn, he performed in numerous ensembles and was a tuba section member, manager, and drum major in the Marching Band. As a graduate assistant, he served as drill instructor and pep band director, and he conducted the university concert band. A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in music, Dr. McManus has co-authored  chapters exploring LGBTQIA+ issues in music education and arts policy published by Oxford University Press, and has led professional development sessions on performance techniques and equity issues.

Dr. McManus is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, an alumnus member of Tau Beta Sigma (Gamma Kappa), and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi (Delta Omicron). He was recognized for his music teaching and mentorship by the VanderCook College of Music in 2017. He has held affiliations with the Atlantic Coast Conference Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, the Indiana Bandmasters Association, the Indiana State School Music Association, the Connecticut Music Educators Association, and the Congressional Korean American Staff Association.