Benjamin James Druffel is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at ...

Benjamin James Druffel is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching courses in Instrumental Music Education. Prior to his appointment at MSUM, Dr. Druffel held teaching positions at McMurry University, Abilene TX and Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL. Dr. Druffel earned a DMA in Wind Band Conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As a Wind Conducting Associate, he studied conducting with Dr. Kraig Alan Williams and regularly guest conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Concert Band. His duties also included serving as an instrumental instructor with the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights and leading performances of the Pep Band. In January of 2014, he was part of the instructional staff that prepared the marching band for a pre-game performance at Superbowl XLVIII. Dr. Druffel began his career abroad in Dubai, United Arab Emirates teaching music at an American/International school. Over his six-year tenure, his duties were varied from elementary general music to high school band to the International Baccalaureate Diploma music curriculum. A special benefit of this experience was the opportunity to work with a truly international student body including a high school concert band with representatives from six continents. He has also conducted and performed with ensembles in Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Dr. Druffel is a member of the College Band Directors National Conference (CBDNA), The Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the music educators associations of Minnesota (MMEA), Texas (TMEA), and New Jersey (NJMEA). He is also an honorary member of the national band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.