Joss Bowling: Perspectives from a Non-Binary Band Director

Diversity in College Marching Bands

By NAfME Member Joss Bowling

My name is Joss Bowling. I am a music educator, a bassoonist, and a lover of video games. I like to camp, hike, and ride rollercoasters. I competed in artistic roller skating as a child. I have been described as vibrant, upbeat, and “cartoon-ish, but in a good way.” I am also non-binary (and use they/them pronouns).

In the past decade, public opinion has fluctuated dramatically in regards to openly transgender teachers. When I entered the workforce in 2021, my identity was publicly regarded as a progressive “win” for some employers. Just five years later, many public schools fear public outcry and financial backlash in hiring queer and transgender teachers. Last year, for the first time in my career, I considered removing all mention of my non-binary identity from the internet to protect my career prospects.

A career in music education is not impossible for young LGBTQIA+ students. I look forward to seeing more transgender and non-binary directors (and educators) enter the workforce, engage in leadership roles, and move into collegiate level positions.

Then, I landed a role as Associate Marching Band Director at Otterbein University. At a private, liberal arts university, I reconsidered hiding my identity. After a whirlwind of a semester interim directing the Cardinal Marching Band and starting graduate school, I stopped to think a moment about representation within the field of college marching band directors. As I searched for professionals in my field who looked like me, I realized the list was short. Transgender and non-binary folks are abundantly represented in Drum Corp International (DCI) staff, adjunct roles, and graduate assistantships. But in terms of folks working under the “director” title at the university level, I found very little representation of trans and non-binary people.

Diversity in the field of band directors, particularly in marching arts programs deeply rooted in tradition, remains an ongoing battle. The public platform of marching bands of all levels places extra pressure on students, directors, and administrators to avoid potentially divisive ideas and decisions. We can understand and recognize those pressures while simultaneously remaining dedicated to the expansion of perspectives and diversity in the field.

My skills as a musician, educator, and director are not diminished in light of my non-binary identity. Attempts to silence transgender and non-binary educators do not eradicate our existence. A career in music education is not impossible for young LGBTQIA+ students. I look forward to seeing more transgender and non-binary directors (and educators) enter the workforce, engage in leadership roles, and move into collegiate level positions. In the meantime, it is my honor to represent our community, advocate for change, and live openly.

About the Author

NAfME member Joss Bowling is in their first year as Associate Marching Band Director at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Prior to this role, they have four years of public-school teaching experience directing grades 6–12 band and orchestra. Additionally, they taught oboe and bassoon studio lessons as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mount Union.

Beyond their teaching experience, Joss has extensive performance experience as an orchestral and contemporary bassoonist. They were the principal bassoonist of the Alliance Symphony Orchestra in Alliance, Ohio, for six years. Joss is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Music Education from Youngstown State University.