Dr. Todd Nichols, Music Director

Dr. Todd Nichols’ credits include work as a music educator, conductor, and performer. Dr. Nichols currently serves as Director of University Bands and Area Head of Conducting at Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey. His duties include oversight and administration of all instrumental large ensembles including two orchestras and six bands, directing the Marching Scarlet Knights and Symphonic Winds, and teaching graduate conducting. As Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Dr. Nichols led highly acclaimed performances at the 2025 London Band Week, 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2021 Music for All Grand Nationals finals performance, 2025, 2024 and 2018 NFL Football halftime shows for the NY Jets and NY Giants, and for United States President Joseph Biden. Dr. Nichols served as a Guest Lecturer at New York University and Columbia University and is Past President of the Big Ten Band Director’s National Association.

Dr. Nichols annually serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and recording producer and is especially honored to have guest conducted the United States Army Field Band. Dr. Nichols currently serves as the Music Director for the Princeton Brass Band and is the Artistic Director for the Eastern Wind Symphony, a position he has held since 2010. Dr. Nichols conducted highly acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and records regularly with the EWS, including two recent albums, Resurgence and Elements. Under his direction, the EWS received multiple Grammy Award nominations of eligibility and has been invited to perform at major music conventions including the 2021 and 2015 Midwest

Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2019 ACB National Convention, 2017 NAfME All Eastern Convention, and 2017 ITG Conference. Dr. Nichols has commissioned fifty new works for wind band, supporting numerous composers.

Dr. Nichols received his DMA in conducting at Rutgers University, MM in conducting from Messiah College and BM in music from The College of New Jersey. For nineteen years, Dr. Nichols served as Director of Bands at Roxbury and Edison High Schools in New Jersey, where his ensembles were recognized for outstanding performance at numerous local, state, and many prestigious national festivals and concerts. During his time as a public school teacher, Dr. Nichols also performed professionally as a freelance percussionist and drummer across the east coast, in hundreds of performances with prominent professional ensembles and acts including orchestral, musical theater, club dates, and various chamber music performances.

Dr. Nichols has co-authored two articles published in The Journal of Band Research and WASBE Journal and was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and American School Band Directors Association in 2016. Dr. Nichols received the 2022 Rutgers University Transfer Student Champion Award, two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and the NJ Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award.

Dr. Nichols resides in Branchburg, NJ with his wife, Beth, and daughters, Sarah, and Emily.