Conversations with Brandon Waddles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Waddles.

Hi Brandon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a composer, conductor, educator and music director, Brandon Waddles enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the musical gamut. He currently serves as the Associate Music Director for the National Broadway Tour of The Wiz. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Waddles earned his doctoral degree in Choral Music Education at the Florida State University. He most recently served as the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Teaching at Wayne State University as well as the Artistic Director of the Rackham Choir. During his tenures at Wayne and Rackham, he led the choirs in performances of Brahms’ and Faure’s Requiems, Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He several times prepared the Wayne State choirs for performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements have been performed by vocal ensembles the world over. In addition to professionally recorded interpretations by the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers and Sacra/Profana, most recent performers include the Harvard Glee Club, London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the King’s Singers and Voces8. Aside from his original work and arranging, Dr. Waddles is a sought-after transcriber of Black gospel music. He served as a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism hymnal published by GIA Publications, Inc. His release of Just In Case You’ve Forgotten is the first selected compendium of works by the late Thomas Whitfield, the subject of his dissertation. Dr. Waddles’ scholarship on Black sacred music has been experienced in the halls of Harvard, Yale, Morehouse and Hampton, and most recently on American Black Journal as seen on PBS.

Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy award-winning recording artist Ledisi, Brandon has collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple occasions, venturing from Carnegie Hall to the White House. The Ledisi Sings Nina concert series has witnessed performances with major national orchestras such as the LA Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Cincinnati Pops, among others. Other performances include the LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE show-run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and Ledisi Live: A Tribute to Nina Simone as seen on PBS.

In addition to his current posts with Ledisi and The Wiz, Dr. Waddles serves as National Music Director for NAACP ACT-SO. He is also co-editor of the Rock My Soul Choral Series with Gentry Publications.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Perhaps the greatest challenge of engaging in what I like to refer to as a curvaceous creative career is that when others are unable to box you in, they will often box you out. Too many “no’s” and “no-calls” to count simply because of the narrowed mindset of categorization. One of my eternal goals, specifically in academia, is to rid both educators and students alike of the notion that there is only one path to success in the music world. There is room for all of us…everywhere.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I enjoyed running around with my dad everywhere he went when I was a kid. He’s a celebrated musician in the city of Detroit, and has been on the scenes of classical, gospel, jazz, music theatre, etc. since before I was born. I soaked up every creative experience I could while I sat with him in rehearsals, church services, concerts and otherwise. Very formative, and incredibly inspiring.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brandonwaddles.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bchristiankeyz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.waddles.10