Dr. Marc Decker
Dr. Marc Decker
DMA, University of Iowa
Associate Professor of Music
Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands
Areas of Expertise:
Instrumental Conducting
Music Education
Email: deckerm@fau.edu
Office Phone: 561.297.3883
Office: AH-115A
Marc Decker is an Associate Professor of Music and the Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at Florida Atlantic University where his duties include directing the Marching Owls, ‘Parliament Sound’ Pep Band, and Symphony Band, and teaching courses in music education and conducting. Additionally, he serves as Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the Department of Music.
Under his leadership, the Marching Owls, Parliament Sound, and Symphony Band have achieved unprecedented levels of success, each reaching their largest membership in school history. He has led his bands to perform throughout the nation at bowl games and tournaments, at numerous local and State venues, and for State officials including the President of the United States. Additionally, he serves on a team of faculty in the University Bands that brings thousands of middle and high school students to campus for music festivals each year, and hosts professional development sessions for regional band directors.
As a lifelong music educator, Dr. Decker has served as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States. He has appeared at over 150 band and orchestra clinics, and as a guest conductor for honor bands in Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida. Additionally, he is a 2025 recipient of a Florida Atlantic University award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching for his work at the university and with school music programs throughout the region.
A dedicated scholar, Dr. Decker has presented at numerous professional conferences including the State Music Education Conferences of Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; the NAfME Collegiate Conferences of Florida and Kentucky; the CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium; and the national conferences of CMS, NACWPI, and NAfME. Additionally, he has authored numerous articles published in the National Band Association Journal, The Instrumentalist, Florida Music Director, and WASBE World on a variety of topics. His research interests include wind band repertoire, conducting, music teacher preparation, and pedagogy.
Dr. Decker began his career as a high school band director at the coastal town of South Haven, MI, where his bands earned superior ratings at marching and concert band contests. Before arriving at FAU, he held various collegiate teaching and conducting positions throughout his career including Conductor-in-Residence at Gettysburg College, Musician-in-Residence at American University, and Director of Instrumental Music and Music Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He holds a BME from the University of Illinois, and an MM and DMA from the University of Iowa.
Dr. Decker is a Past-President of the Florida College Music Educators Association and active in many professional organizations. His professional affiliations include the Florida Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.