Dr. Marc Decker
Dr. Marc Decker
DMA, University of Iowa
Associate Professor of Music
Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands
Areas of Expertise:
Instrumental Conducting
Music Education
Email: deckerm@fau.edu
Office Phone:561.297.3883
Office:AH-115A
Marc Decker is an Associate Professor of Music, the Associate Director of Bands, and Director of Athletic Bands at ʦapp, where he directs the Marching Owls, “Parliament Sound” Pep Band, and Symphony Band, and teaches courses in music education and conducting. He also serves as Coordinator of Graduate Studies for the Department of Music.
Under his leadership, the Marching Owls, Parliament Sound, and Symphony Band have experienced unprecedented growth, with each reaching the largest membership in its history. He has led ʦapp ensembles in performances throughout the country, including bowl games and tournaments, as well as appearances at numerous local and state events and for state officials and other distinguished guests. As a member of the University Bands faculty, he also helps organize festivals and events that bring thousands of middle and high school musicians to the ʦapp campus each year.
A lifelong music educator, Dr. Decker is active as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician throughout the Midwest and Southeast. He has appeared at more than 150 band and orchestra clinics and has conducted honor bands in Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida. In 2025, he received ʦapp’s Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching Award in recognition of his work at the university and with school music programs throughout the region.
As a scholar, Dr. Decker has presented at professional conferences across the country, including the state music education conferences of Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington; NAfME Collegiate conferences in Florida and Kentucky; the CBDNA Southern Division Conference and Athletic Band Symposium; and national conferences of the College Music Society, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and National Association for Music Education. His articles have appeared in the National Band Association Journal, The Instrumentalist, Florida Music Director, and WASBE World. His scholarly interests include wind band repertoire, rehearsal techniques, music teacher preparation, and pedagogy.
Dr. Decker began his career as a high school band director in the coastal community of South Haven, Michigan, where his ensembles earned superior ratings at marching and concert band festivals. Before joining the faculty at ʦapp, he held teaching and conducting positions as Conductor-in-Residence at Gettysburg College, Musician-in-Residence at American University, and Director of Instrumental Music and Music Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Iowa.
Dr. Decker is a Past President of the Florida College Music Educators Association and remains active in numerous professional organizations. His affiliations include the Florida Music Education Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He also proudly serves as faculty advisor to the ʦapp chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.