610-683-4551
Old Main 114
rapp@kutztown.edu

Willis M. Rapp is a Professor of Music at Kutztown University, where he serves as Chairperson of the Department of Music and Director of Bands. He holds the Bachelor of Science and Master of Music Degrees in Music Education from West Chester University, the Diploma of Fine Arts in Wind Conducting and Literature from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Conducting at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Prior to his appointment at Kutztown University, Dr. Rapp served as director of marching band and percussion studies at Millersville University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Iowa State University.

Dr. Rapp's career as a published author includes over 300 publications in the area of percussion ensemble compositions and marching band arrangements through Jenson Publications and the Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. His articles and reviews have appeared in Percussive Notes, The Percussionist, Selmer Bandwagon and Yamaha New Ways. Dr. Rapp has served twice as President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and as President of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Bandmasters Association. He is the co-conductor of the Reading Pennsylvania Pops Orchestra and a percussion Clinician and Consultant for Yamaha and Sabian. Dr. Rapp has performed as a recitalist, guest conducted, and appeared as a clinician in twenty-four states and two provinces in Canada.