David Simmons Wood

Advanced Instructor
History, Theory, Director of Early Music
School Marketing Director
Email: davidwood@ksu.edu
Office: 326 McCain Auditorium

David Simmons Wood (he/him) is the director of K-State’s Early Music Activities, Marketing Director, and is engaged as teaching faculty in the Theory, History, and Composition Division. David also serves as the faculty advisor for the Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the Early Music Society. He joined the K-State music faculty in 2014.

David holds degrees from Kansas State University (B.M. Voice) and the University of North Texas (M.M. Choral Conducting and Voice), and he studied early-music ensemble direction at the Historical Performance Institute at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

David is the Founder and Artistic Director of Blue Earth Camerata in Manhattan, KS, and he was a founding member of Ishallyn, Ensemble for Early Celtic Music. Most recently, David was the featured vocalist for Heartland Baroque's touring concert program "Turlough O'Carolan: Bard of the Emerald Isle," a program that combines David's experience in historical performance practice and the traditional music of Ireland.

David's performing career has also included appearances with Dallas Bach Society, The Orchestra of New Spain (Dallas), The New York Baroque Dance Company, The New York State Baroque, Texas Choral Artists, and Fenix de los Ingenios, and others, as well as performances at the Boston, Indianapolis, and Bloomington Early Music Festivals.

David serves as the Programs Director for the Early Music America, the North American service organization for early music and historical performance, where he oversees scholarships, grants, the Young Performers Festival & Emering Artists Showcase, the annual EMA Summit, webinars and other video resources, and social media and email marketing activities.

David worked in public radio at WFIU, Bloomington, IN first as Announcer/Producer (2005-2007), then as Music Director and Program Content Coordinator (2007-2014), and served on the board of the Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio.

Ensembles:

Collegium Musicum
Madrigal & Motet Ensemble
Recorder Ensemble

Current Courses :

Introduction to Music of the World (Fall/Spring Semesters)
Music Theory I (Fall Semesters)
Introduction to Historical Performance Practice (Spring Semesters)
Rhythm of th Emerald Isle: Traditional Music & Culture In Ireland (Summer 2027 Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program - Apply by February 1, 2027!)

Independent Study Course Options:

Coaching in Historical Performance Practice
Music History Pedagogy
Traditional Music of the British Isles
Vocal & Choral Music in the Church

Previously Taught Courses:

Experiencing Live Music
History of Rock & Roll
Introduction to Music
Introduction to Music Theory
Music Listening Lab

Recent Publications and Publicity

Toward a Rebirth of Renaissance Choral Repertoire (EMAg, the magazine of Early Music America, May 2023)
Interview on Early Music Monday podcast
Interview on Musically Inclined podcast