Interim Dean Chester Phillips
Dr. Chester Phillips joined the Georgia State faculty in 2009. In his most recent university-level role, he served on the committee responsible for crafting the new strategic plan which includes innovation in research, scholarship, and creativity as one of the university’s foundational pillars.
Prior to his current appointment as the Director of the School of Music, Phillips served as the founding director of the Panther Band and Associate Director of Bands at Georgia State. The Georgia State Panther Band received several honors and accolades including participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2014, performing in the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime show in 2019, marching in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade in 2013, a national top-ten honor by the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), selection by the Southern Division of CBDNA for outstanding performance in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and participation in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.
Dean Wade Weast*
Bringing a wide range of experience in various areas of the music industry, Dr. Wade Weast became Dean of the College of the Arts at Georgia State University on July 1, 2016. He holds a doctorate from Stony Brook University with additional study at the Manhattan School of Music, SUNY Fredonia, and Tanglewood Institute. Dr. Weast has performed with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, American Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, on Broadway, and with the rock group YES. Dr. Weast can be heard on ten recordings for labels such as Delos and Newport Classics, and has produced eight recordings for the International Trumpet Guild. Prior to his arrival at Georgia State University, he was Dean of the School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Director of the School of Music at the University of South Florida.
*Dean West will be on leave and away from campus for most of the 2023-24 academic year while fulfilling an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellowship.