Rate My Professor Giovanni Santos

Giovanni Santos serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Wind and Percussion Studies at La Sierra University within the Arts and Culture faculty. He earned a PhD in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University in 2021, an MM in Trumpet and Music Education from the University of Southern California in 2007, and a BMus from La Sierra University in 2004. Before joining La Sierra in 2015, Santos directed bands at Loma Linda Academy for seven years, leading performances across the United States and Europe including Walt Disney Concert Hall, and taught at Maywood Academy High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. At La Sierra, he directs the University Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and Big Band/Jazz Ensemble, and teaches music education, conducting, composition, and popular music. An accomplished trumpeter, he performed on television and film scores and with ensembles like the Tim Davies Big Band.

Santos is a prolific composer with over 30 works published exclusively by Murphy Music Press, drawing inspiration from his Puerto Rican upbringing, Cuban-Dominican heritage, and family life. Key compositions include "Chávez, 1927" (2022), premiered at the University of the Pacific; "Dolores, AmeriCan: Symphony for Band" (2023), nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Music; "Timba" (2022) and "Mayagüez" (2021), premiered at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic; "I Dream Awake" saxophone concerto (2022), world premiered by the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble; and "Voyages" (2018), performed at the Kennedy Center. His music has been performed by ensembles at the University of Michigan, UCLA, University of Illinois, Florida State University, and Tanglewood Music Center. Under his leadership, the La Sierra University Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in 2018 and toured Europe. Santos is a sought-after guest conductor and clinician, presenting at the Midwest Clinic, College Band Directors National Association, and World Association of Symphonic Bands conference. He received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Minority Band Directors National Association for contributions to the wind band repertoire.