Link to Director
Link to Former Assistant Director – Dan Bowles
Link to Director Emeritus
David Wing- New Assistant Director
Mr. David Wing has been a music educator for 16 years. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education from Southeastern University and his Master of Arts Degree in Wind Band Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. Mr. Wing served as the Director of Bands at Woodland Middle School for 12 years where the MS Band program was one of the most comprehensive in the state of Florida. The bands at WMS consistently earned Superior ratings at all Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessments. Mr. Wing was awarded the Linda Mann 5 Year Superior Award which recognizes Band Directors who earn the rating of superior with their concert ensembles for 5 consecutive years. The Jazz Band at WMS also earned the 5 Year Superior Jazz Award for 5 consecutive years of Superior ratings. The band had been invited to perform across the State including Magic Music Days Festivals at Walt Disney World. In 2015, Mr. Wing was recognized as the Teacher of the Year at Woodland Middle School. He was the department chair for the elective teachers and served on the Principal’s Cabinet. He was also a SCIP Mentor for the new elective teachers, as well as mentored several student interns from FSU and FGCU who were assigned to teach under his supervision.
Currently Mr. Wing is in his fifth year as the Director of Bands at Venice High School. Mr. Wing conducts the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band 1, Jazz Band 2 and International Baccalaureate Music 1 and 2. He initiated a Beginning Band class last year for students to learn how to play an instrument for the first time at the high school level. He is also the Chapter advisor for the TRI-M Music Honor Society, where he facilitates monthly chapter meetings and masterclasses designed to prepare students for music at the collegiate level and beyond. Mr. Wing is the director of the VHS Marching Band who, for the first time since 2006, earned a Straight Superior rating at the Florida Bandmasters Marching Band Music Performance Assessment. The Bands at Venice High School, under Mr. Wing’s direction, have earned Superior ratings at the District level and qualified for State for the first time in several years. Additionally in 2023, All 3 concert bands, 2 jazz bands and marching band earned a Superior at District MPA for the first time in the schools history. The Jazz Band earned a Superior at state as well for the first time in school history. Currently, the Band Program serves about 200 students daily with continued plans to grow in both size and reputation for musical excellence. Mr. Wing was honored again to be voted by his peers as Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023 school year.
Mr. Wing is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He has served as the Florida Bandmasters Association District 11 Chairperson, responsible for all the Band Programs in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Hardee and Desoto Counties for the past 8 years. He is a certified adjudicator, traveling across the state of Florida to adjudicate and support students and bands. He is an active clinician including several All-County Band guest conductor appointments including Polk, Pinellas, Pasco, Lee and Heartland Honor Bands. In the Venice community, Mr. Wing performs with the Venice Community Concert Band and serves on their Board of Directors and Assistant Director. He also serves on the Board of Horizon Pageantry Arts Association and has previously served on the Board for Modern Marimba Inc, an organization devoted to percussion education. He is an active trumpet player in the area playing for several community events and church services. In his spare time, Mr. Wing enjoys Disney, traveling around the world and spending time with his family and friends.