Dr. David M. Rolandson, PhD

Chair, Division of Performing Arts and Associate Professor of Music

Office: Old Main 122
Email: david.rolandson@minotstateu.edu
Phone: (701) 858-3195

PhD: Music Education, University of Minnesota
MM: Wind Band Conducting, Central Washington University
BME: Instrumental Music Education, University of Minnesota Duluth

David M. Rolandson is Chair of the Division of Performing Arts, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Bands at Minot State University where he conducts the Concert Band and leads the MSU Marching Band. In addition, Dr. Rolandson teaches trombone, euphonium, tuba, conducting, and music education courses. He earned a PhD in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Central Washington University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. His primary conducting teachers were Craig Kirchhoff and Larry Gookin.

Prior to his appointment at Minot State University, Dr. Rolandson served as the Director of Bands at Renton High School and Dimmitt Middle School in Renton, Washington (2008-2012). While in Renton, his ensembles frequently received high ratings at regional contests, and his high school students were routinely selected to perform at the annual Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Dr. Rolandson was also an active member of the Washington Music Educators Association serving as the Soundview Region President from 2010-2012. In 2009, he received the Renton Area Chamber of Commerce “Ahead of the Class” award for teaching excellence. 

Dr. Rolandson is an active performer currently serving as the Principal Tuba with the Minot Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he performed with the Synergia Northwest Orchestra, Mid-Columbia Symphony, Oregon East Symphony, Twin Ports Wind Orchestra, and Duluth Italian Opera Festival Orchestra. He has also performed as a soloist in multiple recitals, and is a past winner of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s annual Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (2003). 

Dr. Rolandson is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician in North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. He has presented research at the NAfME National Music Research and Teacher Education Conference, the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium, the NAfME Northwest Region Conference, the NAfME Eastern Region Conference, the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Clinic, and the CIC Music Education Conference. In addition, he has been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Contributions to Music Education, The North Dakota Music Educator, and Interval: The Journal of the Minnesota Music Educators Association. His research interests include alternative approaches to music education and music teacher professional development. Dr. Rolandson currently serves as the NDMEA Research Chair.