Giovanni Santos
Giovanni Santos is a conductor, composer, and music educator whose work is centered on cultural representation, artistic excellence, and the transformative power of music. He serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Redlands, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Prior to his appointment at Redlands, he served for ten years as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at La Sierra University.
During his tenure at La Sierra University, Santos elevated the Wind Ensemble to national and international prominence. Under his direction, the ensemble performed across the United States, made its debut at Carnegie Hall, and completed concert tours in the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, and San Marino. His tenure was marked by a commitment to expanding the wind band repertoire, leading to more than 15 world and regional premieres.
As a composer, Santos crafts works that explore identity, history, resilience, and the human experience. His compositions have been performed across the globe and showcased at premier venues, including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood. His music has been programmed by leading university, professional, and scholastic ensembles nationwide, including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Illinois, University of Texas, Florida State University, Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Miami, University of North Texas, Arizona State University, and the University of Southern California, among many others.
A dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI-B), Santos is committed to authentic cultural representation within music education and the performing arts. His creative and pedagogical work frequently highlights traditions, histories, and voices historically underrepresented in the wind repertoire. Notably, his symphony Dolores, AmeriCan: Symphony for Band, commissioned by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music.
Santos is the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Minority Band Directors National Association, awarded for exceptional contributions to the wind band repertoire with outstanding artistry. He maintains an active national and international schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter.
Santos holds a Ph.D. in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University and a Master of Music from the University of Southern California. He is a Conn/Selmer Educational Clinician.
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