Andy Collinsworth

Office

Advising Area

• Lead Faculty Advisor

About

R. Anderson “Andy” Collinsworth is the Director of Bands at Sonoma State University, where he leads the university Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. Dr. Collinsworth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience gained through nearly 35 years of experience to the ensembles he leads and the courses he teaches in conducting pedagogy and music education.

In addition to teaching duties, Dr. Collinsworth serves as Chair of the Department of Music at SSU. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, adjudicator and rehearsal clinician for school ensembles and music organizations and honor bands throughout the country, including the 2024 Virginia All State Symphonic Band, the 2024 Utah State University Honor Band, and the 2025 Alaska All State Honor Band.

Dr. Collinsworth is the driving force behind the annual Sonoma Summer Wind Band Conducting Symposium, where he trains music educators in the art of conducting, and the Sonoma Invitational Wind Band and Orchestra Festival—a signature three-day event that brings over 2,000 high school students to campus each year.

Dr. Collinsworth was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association in 2024, and he has a long history of leadership in several other professional organizations, including the College Band Directors National Association (national board member and Western Division President, 2014-2020); the California Band Directors Association (Vice President, 2004-2008); the California Music Educators Association (Bay Section President, 2012-2014); the Northern California Band and Choral Directors Association (President, 1998-2000).

Andy Collinsworth earned his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA, 2008) degree in Conducting at Arizona State University, where he was a student of Gary W. Hill. He holds a Master of Music degree (MM, 1989) in Saxophone Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education degree (BME, 1987) from the University of Nevada at Reno.