POTSDAM -- Dr. Brian K. Doyle, the director of bands at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, will be inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.

Dr. Doyle joins about 300 band conductors and composers in the United States and Canada.

Founded in 1929, with John Philip Sousa as the organization's Honorary Lifetime President, the American Bandmasters Association recognizes outstanding achievement on the part of concert band conductors and composers.

"On a personal and professional level, I am excited to have the opportunity to get to know this august group of leaders in our profession,” Doyle said. “Bands enjoy a tremendously robust heritage in our country, in large part due to the vision and tireless efforts of this body of individuals. It is a daunting yet exciting legacy that I hope I have the stamina and wherewithal to eventually live up to."

He will be formally inducted at a special ABA ceremony in Spring 2017.

"We are proud of Brian Doyle's dynamic leadership, both in the rich and ongoing history of The Crane School's band program and in the national community of distinguished band musicians. His induction into the American Bandmasters Association is a fitting recognition of this leadership, and in joining the ABA's membership roster, he adds to a long list of Crane alumni and emeriti who have made significant and lasting contributions to the development of wind band music in America," said Crane School of Music Dean Dr. Michael Sitton.

Doyle is the sixth faculty member from The Crane School of Music to have been named to the American Bandmasters Association. His Crane contemporaries include the following professors emeriti: founding member Charles O'Neill, Willard Musser, Elliot Del Borgo, Anthony Maeillo and Timothy Topolewski.

"It must be noted that the group I am wholly and most truly indebted to is the body of mindful, talented and hard-working Crane students performing in the ensembles I have the privilege to conduct," Doyle said. "Any accolade or recognition sent my way is really owed to the students. Their talents, their hard work and toil, their music makes whatever follows possible. This recognition is actually their recognition."

American Bandmasters Association Board of Trustees member and Crane School of Music alumnus Colonel Thomas Palmatier '75, the retired leader of the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," nominated Doyle for membership.

"Tom Palmatier has been a staunch supporter of The Crane School of Music, the band program and of me, personally. Without his initiative, my consideration may never have taken place," Doyle said.

Doyle's application was also supported by Professor John Locke, director of bands at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Kenneth Bloomquist, director of bands emeritus at Michigan State University, whom he studied with in his early college years.

"To each of these colleagues and friends I owe a debt of thanks," Doyle said.

Two other distinguished alumni are also ABA members. They include Colonel Michael J. Colburn, Hon. '12, the director of the U.S. Marine Band, and John O'Reilly '62, the prolific band composer and retired executive vice president and senior editor for Alfred Music.

Dr. Doyle joined The Crane School of Music faculty as director of bands in 2006. He conducts the Crane Wind Ensemble and the Crane Symphonic Band, and also teaches courses in conducting. A Michigan native, he received all of his degrees in his home state. Doyle graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Music Education and two Master of Music degrees (in saxophone and wind conducting). His principal teachers included John Whitwell, Joseph Lulloff and James Forger. Doyle later received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting under the mentorship of Michael Haithcock at the University of Michigan.

Prior to completing his undergraduate degree, Doyle served for two years in the U.S. Air Force, as a saxophonist in the 745th Air Force Band stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Returning to Michigan State University, Doyle was a member of the award-winning Borealis Saxophone Quartet, which took top honors at the Coleman, Carmel and Fischoff Chamber Music competitions in the early 1990s. At that time, he also performed in ensembles backing touring musicians, such as Bob Hope, Bernadette Peters, Mel Torme, Jeffrey Osborne, Roberta Flack and Tommy Tune. Additionally, as an active member of the mid-Michigan music scene, Doyle performed in several big bands, as well as the salsa band, Orquesta Tradicion Latina.

Dr. Doyle's former teaching posts include faculty positions at Indiana University, The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Duke University and as a public school music educator for grades 5 to 12 in Imlay City, Mich. While in North Carolina, Doyle served as the resident conductor of the Triangle British Brass Band, and performed regularly as saxophonist with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra directed by Gerhardt Zimmermann. For 10 summers, Doyle conducted ensembles at the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp, and for year at the New England Music Camp. Doyle now spends his summers as the conductor of the Crane Youth Music Wind Ensemble.

Active in his support of bands in the public schools, Doyle is a member of the New York State Band Directors Association, where he was initially elected to the Executive Board as a Member At-Large, then as 1st Vice President. He currently holds the position of NYSBDA President, a term ending in 2017.

Students in the Crane School of Music Bands consistently receive opportunities to engage with leaders in the profession, and with the music and composers of our time. Recent guests include John Whitwell, Michael Haithcock, Frank Battisti and Gunther Schuller. The Crane Wind Ensemble performs at least two consortium or world premieres annually, including past works by Steven Bryant, Roshanne Etezady, David Heinick, Kristin Kuster, Andre Previn, Joel Puckett, D.J Sparr and Gregory Wanamaker. Invited composers include Gunther Schuller, Dan Welcher, Joel Puckett, Roshanne Etezady and Kristen Kuster.

The latest Crane Wind Ensemble recording activities include a 2014 album release, "Adirondack Songs," with a new recording project, "cranesongs," scheduled for release in the fall of 2016. Last spring, the Crane Wind Ensemble toured Eastern New York, leading to a performance at the Eastern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in New London, Conn.

Doyle is active as a guest conductor and clinician, conducting All-State ensembles in New York, Maine and North Carolina. He is a member of the New York State Band Directors Association, the New York State School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.