Dr. Edward F. Protzman is a conductor and educator who serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Portland State University. Prior to his appointment at PSU, he led highly successful high school band programs at William Mason High School (OH), Blue Valley Southwest High School (KS), and Central Bucks West High School (PA). Ensembles under his direction have performed at nationally recognized events, including the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, the Bands of America Grand National Finals, and numerous state music conferences. The William Mason High School Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the 2022 Midwest Clinic and was recognized by the National Wind Band Honors Program in both 2021 and 2022.
Protzman’s ensembles have performed in major venues across the United States and internationally, including Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and the People’s Liberation Army Opera House in Beijing. He holds degrees in music education and conducting from Moravian College, West Chester University, the University of Calgary, and Liberty University. An active member of the profession, Protzman is involved in organizations such as the National Association for Music Education, the Oregon Band Directors Association, and the National Band Association. He currently serves as President-Elect of the Northwestern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.
Portland State University, located in downtown Portland, Oregon, is home to a vibrant and diverse music program that serves more than one hundred music education students. The PSU band program features three concert ensembles: the University Band, which is open to all students and community members without audition, and the auditioned Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble, both of which perform advanced wind repertoire spanning cornerstone works of the tradition and new music by living composers.