Lakeland College

Dr. Russell T. Pettitt is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. At Lakeland, Dr. Pettitt conducts the Concert Band, directs Muskie pep bands, and teaches courses in music education and music appreciation. Pettitt's previous positions include serving on the music faculty at the University of Arkansas and as an elementary, middle, and high school band director with school districts in Virginia and Texas.

A native of Texas, Dr. Pettitt holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from George Mason University, the Master of Music degree from the University of Arkansas, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. Conducting teachers include Anthony J. Maiello, W. Dale Warren, Jeffrey D. Gershman, and William K. Wakefield, and his principal euphonium teacher is Roger Behrend.

Dr. Pettitt's performance background includes success as a euphonium soloist and wind conductor. He was named as finalist for euphonium positions with the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" of Washington, DC, and the United States Coast Guard Band of New London, CT, and has been selected to perform in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition three times. Bands under his direction consistently received superior ratings at UIL events in Texas and the Whitewright High School Symphonic Band was selected as a 2007 Outstanding Performance Series Texas State Finalist.

Dr. Pettitt's professional affiliations include: College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, Wisconsin Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Pettitt is also a proponent of new music for winds and percussion, evidenced by participation in national commissioning projects and his research on the music of composer Carter Pann.