Chester Phillips

Chester B. Phillips was appointed by Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard as Dean of the College of the Arts effective August 1, 2024, following his service in an interim capacity during the 2023-24 academic year.

A metro-Atlanta native, Dr. Phillips has served as the Director of the School of Music at Georgia State University where he has been on faculty since 2009. His passion is “making the world better by making music together”.

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Phillips served as the founding director of the Panther Band and Associate Director of Bands at Georgia State University. Under his leadership, the Georgia State Panther Band has received several honors and accolades including participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2014), performing in the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime show (2019), marching in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade (2013), a national top-ten honor by the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), selection by the Southern Division of CBDNA for outstanding performance (2012, 2016, and 2020), and participation in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

As a pedagogue, Dr. Phillips is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and has presented for organizations including: GMEA (GA), AMEA (AL and AK), Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (IL), Music For All Summer Symposium (IN), Bands of America Regional Championships (TX and PA), Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities (HI), College Band Directors National Association (NC and MO), and Drum Corps Japan (Yokohama, Japan). Dr. Phillips continues a close affiliation with the Rauman Poikasoittokunta (Youth Band) in Rauma, Finland where he regularly conducts, gives master classes, and designs marching drill.

Prior to his appointment at Georgia State, Dr. Phillips taught for seven years as the associate director of bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia and for two years in the Gwinnett County public schools at the middle and high school level.

Chester Phillips received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of Georgia, a Master of Music degree in music education from the University of Illinois and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at the University of Georgia. His principal conducting teachers have been John P. Lynch and James Keene. He is affiliated with professional organizations that include the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, Drum Corps International and Music for All. Chester lives in Roswell, GA with his wife, Megan, their three children and their dog, Bella.