Kevin Welborn

Kevin Welborn (b. 1980) currently serves as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at The University of Alabama. His responsibilities include assisting with all aspects of the university band program, contributing to the instruction and logistics of the Million Dollar Band, conducting the Symphonic Band, teaching undergraduate conducting, and leading graduate seminars. He also supports program operations and the mentorship of graduate teaching assistants.

Mr. Welborn previously served as Associate Director of Athletic Bands at The University of Alabama from 2019–2022. Following that tenure, he was appointed Director of Bands at Avon High School in Avon, Indiana (2022–2023), one of the most successful high school band programs in the country. Under his leadership, the Avon Wind Ensemble earned top placements at the ISSMA State Concert Band Finals and the Bands of America Grand National Championships, continuing the program’s long-standing tradition of excellence.

From 2009–2019, Mr. Welborn was a key part of the Clinton Public School District in Clinton, Mississippi, first serving as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion (2009–2015) before being named Director of Bands (2015–2019). The Clinton band program achieved consistent Bands of America regional finalist placements and class championships, along with multiple state sweepstakes and concert band accolades. Under his direction, the Clinton Indoor Percussion Ensemble earned the WGI Scholastic Open Class gold medal in 2014 and became a Scholastic World Class finalist in 2015. Earlier in his career, Mr. Welborn served as an assistant band director at Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas.

In the drum corps activity, Mr. Welborn is currently an Associate Music Ensemble Coordinator for The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. He is an alumnus of both Carolina Crown and Santa Clara Vanguard, having marched as a member of their snare lines. His instructional career includes work on the percussion staff of The Cavaliers (2016–2018), as percussion caption head for The Troopers (2009–2012), and consulting for Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps.

Mr. Welborn holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education and conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at The University of Alabama. His research focuses on the impact of extracurricular participation on student retention in higher education.

In addition to his academic and performance responsibilities, Mr. Welborn is a sought-after conductor, adjudicator, clinician, and leadership speaker. He and his wife, Karen — a respected visual designer and color guard educator on staff at The University of Alabama — co-own a national design and consulting firm, providing programming, visual design, and leadership development for marching and concert ensembles throughout the country.