Instructor of Music
Assistant Band Director
601-979-7057
brandon.t.jenkins@jsums.edu
Brandon T. Jenkins currently serves as Instructor of Music – Assistant Band Director at Jackson State University. His primary responsibilities are conducting the Symphonic Band, Brasswind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble II, working with the World Renowned “Sonic BOOM of the South” Marching Band, and teaching music appreciation.
A native Carolinian, Jenkins received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Winston-Salem State University (North Carolina) and a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, PA). Mr. Jenkins is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS where he studies with Dr. Catherine Rand. His former teachers include Dr. Michael Magruder (WSSU), Dr. Brad Genevro (UTEP), and Dr. William Stowman (MU). Prior to doctoral study, Mr. Jenkins taught band in the Florida public school system at Heritage High School (Brevard Public Schools).
During his tenure as Director of Bands at Heritage High School, the band nearly quadrupled in size and improved from "poor" to "superior" ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association’s (FBA) Musical Performance Assessments (MPA). Mr. Jenkins expanded the band program tremendously to include a concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, marching band, and jazz bands. As a result of such success, Mr. Jenkins was a 2017 recipient of the Tom Bishop Award from the Florida Bandmasters Association. The intent of this award is to recognize an FBA member who has gone into a band program and turned the program around, making a huge positive difference in a relatively short period of time in the position of band director. In 2017, Mr. Jenkins was named Teacher of the Year for Heritage High School. Shortly after that recognition, in 2018, Jenkins was named Teacher of the Year for the entire Brevard Public School System.
Mr. Jenkins maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and speaker throughout the southern states. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), HBCU National Band Directors Consortium, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), and the Florida Bandmasters Association. Mr. Jenkins’ is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity.