Faculty and Staff
Gary P. Gilroy
Director of Bands
Gary P. Gilroy is a Professor of Music and Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno where he has been teaching since 1993. Prior to this appointment Dr. Gilroy served as a high school band director. He also served as a graduate assistant at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon where he completed his doctorate in 1995.
In March of 2014 Dr. Gilroy was voted into the membership of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He has served on the board of California Band Directors Association for fourteen years and he is a Past President of that organization. Gilroy is also a Past President of the Fresno Madera Counties Music Educators Association.
Dr. Gilroy is in demand as a guest conductor of many honor bands throughout the United States. As an adjudicator and guest conductor he has served in 40 states, Canada, China and England.
An ASCAP award-winning composer, Dr. Gilroy has more than 150 publications for a variety of ensembles available from 11 different publishers. His compositions have been featured at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, the Eastern Trombone Workshop, the International Trombone Festival, and on many occasions at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Dr. Gilroy and his wife Dena have lived in Clovis, California since 1993. His daughter, Alexandra, is a middle school band director and his son, Nicholas, is a freelance percussionist in the Los Angeles area.
Steve McKeithen
Associate Director of Bands
Steve McKeithen is the Associate Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno, where he directs the Bulldog Marching Band, Bulldog Basketball Band, Bulldog Beat, and Symphonic Band.
McKeithen recently completed a successful appointment as the Assistant Director of Bands at Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. While at Northwestern State, he directed the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Magale Symphonic Band, as well as teaching conducting classes and select music education courses. The Spirit of Northwestern was also selected as an “Ensemble of Excellence” by the College Band Directors Association, Southern Division during the 2013 season as the result of a juried video submission.
Mr. McKeithen is the former Director of Bands for Seguin High School in Arlington, Texas and served as the Instrumental Music Coordinator for the Seguin Independent School District in Seguin, Texas. Under his direction, the Seguin Band program was recognized for significant performances at Winter Guard International, Bands of America, Texas State Wind Ensemble Festival, Percussive Arts Society International Conference, UIL State Marching Contest, and at the Bands of America National Concert Band and Percussion Festival.
McKeithen completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Music Education and Conducting from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. He was awarded the coveted Performer’s Certificate by the faculty for his study and performance on clarinet, was the principal clarinet for the Wind Ensemble, performed with the Faculty Woodwind Quintet, and premiered a solo for clarinet at the Society of Composer’s National Conference.