Jahlas Officially Named Director Of Athletic Bands
May 07, 2026 | General
SEATTLE β After a successful term of nearly two years as Interim Director, Dr. Corey Jahlas has officially been named the full-time UW Director of Athletic Bands, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Pat Chun.
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"It is truly an honor to be named the fifth Director of the Husky Marching Band in its nearly 100-year history," said Jahlas. "I am so excited to continue the momentum and progress we've been building in the HMB over the last few years. This position is truly a dream for meβbeing able to make music and memories with the very best people I know is such a profound joy, and to be able to do so at my alma mater makes it all the more special. I cannot thank those who supported me on this journey nearly enough. What an exciting time to be a Husky β GO DAWGS!"
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Dr. Jahlas assumed the interim role in June of 2024 after the retirement of Dr. Brad McDavid, who spent 30 years in the role. Dr. Jahlas was the interim Associate Director of Athletic Bands under McDavid in the 2023-24 school year and has been involved with the UW Athletic Bands in several capacities since first coming to Washington as a graduate teaching assistant in 2019.
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During the past year, led by Dr. Jahlas, the Husky Athletics Band featured 270 members, the largest in Husky history. The band represented UW around the country on trips with the football team to the Sun Bowl, at Iowa and Rutgers among others, as well as supporting the women's basketball team in the NCAA tournament in North Carolina.
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Halftime shows inside Husky Stadium continued to celebrate a longstanding tradition of excellence, while innovating and finding new ways to connect to the community. The band hosted over 2,300 high school musicians for 2024 Husky Band Day, partnered with Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, and incorporated over 70 alumni into Homecoming pregame and halftime shows.
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"This position is an absolute dream of mine," Jahlas said. "I love the Husky Marching Band and I am so excited to return to the program in this capacity. Dr. McDavid leaves very big shoes to fill, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue his legacy as the University of Washington transitions into the Big Ten conference. The Husky Marching Band and UW Athletics has an amazing community around it, and I feel blessed to be able to surround myself with such wonderful people moving forward into this next year. Go Dawgs!"
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Dr. Jahlas earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington, focusing on his research interests of student leadership development and the creation of musician-centered wind band pedagogies. Previously, he earned bachelor's degrees in music education and music theory and composition (both summa cum laude) from Central Michigan University, in 2013, before earning a master's in music from CMU in 2019.
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His extensive and wide-ranging experience includes serving as director of the wind ensemble at Seattle Pacific, alongside his role with the UW athletic band program. As a grad assistant at UW starting in 2019, Dr. Jahlas worked with the Husky Marching Band, the UW's concert and campus bands, and the UW wind ensemble. He also taught courses for music education majors in marching band techniques and low brass techniques.
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Prior to moving to Seattle, Jahlas held a number of roles at his alma mater, Central Michigan, where he was a graduate assistant with the Chippewa Marching Band while earning his master's degree. He also worked with the Symphony Band, University Band and Wind Ensemble at CMU, while teaching courses in beginning and advanced conducting, and in instrumental classroom and rehearsal methods. Jahlas is also an in-demand arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and drill designer for high school and collegiate marching bands across the country. In addition to his work at CMU, Jahlas previously worked with a number of high school and middle school band programs in Michigan.
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Dr. Jahlas holds membership with CBDNA, the National Association for Music Education, the Washington State Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha National Music Fraternity.
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"It is truly an honor to be named the fifth Director of the Husky Marching Band in its nearly 100-year history," said Jahlas. "I am so excited to continue the momentum and progress we've been building in the HMB over the last few years. This position is truly a dream for meβbeing able to make music and memories with the very best people I know is such a profound joy, and to be able to do so at my alma mater makes it all the more special. I cannot thank those who supported me on this journey nearly enough. What an exciting time to be a Husky β GO DAWGS!"
Β
Dr. Jahlas assumed the interim role in June of 2024 after the retirement of Dr. Brad McDavid, who spent 30 years in the role. Dr. Jahlas was the interim Associate Director of Athletic Bands under McDavid in the 2023-24 school year and has been involved with the UW Athletic Bands in several capacities since first coming to Washington as a graduate teaching assistant in 2019.
Β
During the past year, led by Dr. Jahlas, the Husky Athletics Band featured 270 members, the largest in Husky history. The band represented UW around the country on trips with the football team to the Sun Bowl, at Iowa and Rutgers among others, as well as supporting the women's basketball team in the NCAA tournament in North Carolina.
Β
Halftime shows inside Husky Stadium continued to celebrate a longstanding tradition of excellence, while innovating and finding new ways to connect to the community. The band hosted over 2,300 high school musicians for 2024 Husky Band Day, partnered with Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, and incorporated over 70 alumni into Homecoming pregame and halftime shows.
Β
"This position is an absolute dream of mine," Jahlas said. "I love the Husky Marching Band and I am so excited to return to the program in this capacity. Dr. McDavid leaves very big shoes to fill, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue his legacy as the University of Washington transitions into the Big Ten conference. The Husky Marching Band and UW Athletics has an amazing community around it, and I feel blessed to be able to surround myself with such wonderful people moving forward into this next year. Go Dawgs!"
Β
Dr. Jahlas earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington, focusing on his research interests of student leadership development and the creation of musician-centered wind band pedagogies. Previously, he earned bachelor's degrees in music education and music theory and composition (both summa cum laude) from Central Michigan University, in 2013, before earning a master's in music from CMU in 2019.
Β
His extensive and wide-ranging experience includes serving as director of the wind ensemble at Seattle Pacific, alongside his role with the UW athletic band program. As a grad assistant at UW starting in 2019, Dr. Jahlas worked with the Husky Marching Band, the UW's concert and campus bands, and the UW wind ensemble. He also taught courses for music education majors in marching band techniques and low brass techniques.
Β
Prior to moving to Seattle, Jahlas held a number of roles at his alma mater, Central Michigan, where he was a graduate assistant with the Chippewa Marching Band while earning his master's degree. He also worked with the Symphony Band, University Band and Wind Ensemble at CMU, while teaching courses in beginning and advanced conducting, and in instrumental classroom and rehearsal methods. Jahlas is also an in-demand arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and drill designer for high school and collegiate marching bands across the country. In addition to his work at CMU, Jahlas previously worked with a number of high school and middle school band programs in Michigan.
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Dr. Jahlas holds membership with CBDNA, the National Association for Music Education, the Washington State Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha National Music Fraternity.
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