Norman A. Wika joins the Northeastern State University music department having recently completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting at the University of Connecticut. At NSU he will conduct the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band as well as director the Riverhawk Marching Band and teach the low brass studio. Prior to his arrival in Oklahoma, Dr. Wika served as a Special Lecturer and Director of Bands at Providence College where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. Dr. Wika has also held the posts of Assistant Conductor of the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble, Graduate Assistant Director of the UConn Marching Band and Director of the Basketball Pep Bands, where he led the band at two NCAA National Championship Games in 2003 and 2004.

As a guest conductor, Dr. Wika has made appearances with the Windham Concert Band, Windham, CT and the Classic Brass Band, Manchester, CT. He has also served as Musical Director for several theater companies including the Keys Players and the Tolland Youth Services Community Theater. Recent productions include You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Copacabana, and Beauty and the Beast.

Originally from Kansas, Dr. Wika received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami. He began his teaching career in the Florida Keys at Coral Shores High School and then moved to Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He has studied conducting with Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw, Gary Green, Dr. Richard Fiese, and Dr. Nicholas DeCarbo.

In addition to appearances as a conductor, Dr. Wika also maintains an active career as a performer and teacher of trombone. He has served as principal trombone of the Manchester Symphony, Manchester, CT, as well as an active substitute player in the Classic Brass Band, Mansfield, CT. Dr. Wika maintains active membership in the International Trombone Association, College Music Society, Music Educators National Conference, and the College Band Directors National Association. In addition, he is a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.