William P. Oliver, Ph.D., Conductor

William P. Oliver, Ph.D., Conductor

Dr. William P. Oliver, a native of Hollywood, Florida, serves as the Director of University Bands and assistant professor of Music Education at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in music education from Florida A&M University (FAMU), a Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) degree from Boston University, and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education with a minor in Higher Education Administration from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). His dissertation examined the influence of isomorphism on HBCU music programs and its alignment with their broader institutional mission. His current research addresses post-graduate degree creation and expansion for fine arts programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

 Prior to his tenure at Huston-Tillotson University, he spent ten years teaching high school music in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Oliver is a 7-time National Band Association “Citation of Excellence” recipient—an award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of bands and whose ensembles have a history of a distinguished level of accomplishment. This year, Dr. Oliver was named to Yamaha’s National “40 under 40” for his action, courage, creativity, and the growth of his university program in his short tenure.

Dr. Oliver serves as a board member for Austin Theatre Alliance (Paramount & State Theaters) and as a band clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.