After thirty years of service to West Virginia University College of Creative Arts, Associate Dean John Hendricks III will retire on June 30.
“John Hendricks is a true son of the state who is a model of character and integrity,” said Keith Jackson, Philip J. Faini/Falbo Family Dean. “I have known John since my interview at WVU in 1995. He is a dear friend and I am fortunate to be one of the many who look to him for guidance, perspective and timely humor.”
A reception for Hendricks will be held from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29 in the Mesaros Gallery at WVU’s Canady Creative Arts Center. All are welcome to attend, no RSVP required.
As Associate Dean of the College of Creative Arts, Hendricks led academic and student affairs. He served as WVU’s Director of Bands for eleven years and as Associate Director for twelve. His past duties at WVU include directing the WVU Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Pep Band, as well as instructing graduate and undergraduate conducting and music education courses.
Hendricks has also served as Assistant Dean for the College of Creative Arts, Assistant Chair for the School of Music, and coordinator of music undergraduate academic advising. Prior to his appointments at WVU, Hendricks was the Assistant Director of Bands at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Hendricks received his Masters Degree in Conducting and his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from WVU. While working toward his Masters, Hendricks was actively involved with the WVU Bands as a graduate assistant. He also served for five years as the band director at Spencer High School.
Hendricks serves as a guest conductor for various honor groups on the county, district, regional, and all-state levels. He also serves frequently as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the eastern United States. Hendricks has had chapters published in several volumes of the popular “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series” by GIA Publications. His recent research focused upon the use of hymns in wind band music.
Hendricks is a present and past member of several professional affiliations including the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Beta Mu. He has served as the president of the Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, president of the Big East Band Directors Association and has held state positions for several organizations. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Golden Key National Honor Society and the WVU Mountain Honorary.
Hendricks is a Hall of Fame recipient from the West Virginia Music Educators Association and a recipient of the West Virginia Band Director of the Year award presented by the Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He was presented the A. Frank Martin award by Kappa Kappa Psi and was recently honored to be the May 2023 Commencement speaker for the WVU College of Creative Arts.