Brandon Waddles

As a composer, conductor, educator and music director, Brandon Waddles enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the musical gamut. Dr. Waddles, a Detroit native, is no stranger to the city’s rich musical legacy. Currently serving as Director of Choral Activities at Wayne State University and Artistic Director of the Rackham Choir,  his commitment to music in schools and community envelops the wealth of his creative experience and outlook.

Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements have been published and performed by choral ensembles around the world. In 2019, he was awarded as the inaugural recipient of the ACDA Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant. In addition, he has worked as a transcriber of Black gospel music for numerous choral octavos, hymnals and hymnal supplements published by GIA, including his work as a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism hymnal. Brandon’s 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, including her Nina & Me concert series, 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.

Dr. Waddles persists in his commitment to community as National Music Director for NAACP ACT-SO, Artist in Residence at Midland Centre for the Arts, as well as Assistant Director of Music at Christ Church Cranbrook.