W. David Richardson teaches orchestra and heads the music department at GSMST. In GSMST's inaugural year (2007-08) he taught band, orchestra, and piano and helped establish the vision for the music department. Dr. Richardson has received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN and the Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting degree from the University of Georgia. Following his graduation from Lipscomb, Dr. Richardson held the position of Director of Bands and Orchestra at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia, taught in the "inner-city"  schools of Augusta, GA, served as Director of Bands at Aiken High School in Aiken, SC, and served as adjunct music education faculty at Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. His students and ensembles have consistently received superior ratings, including a superior rating with the Aiken High School Wind Ensemble at the National Adjudicators Invitational in Washington, D.C.     

While attending the University of Georgia, Dr. Richardson served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for both the University Band and Theory areas. He has studied conducting with Yoel Levi, Allen Crowell, John Culvahouse, Dwight Satterwhite, and Mark Cedel. Dr. Richardson's duties with the University Bands included directing the University Concert Bands and Basketball Band (including NCAA tournament appearances); guest conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and Symphonic Band; and assisting with conducting classes and the award winning Redcoat Marching Band (including Bowl Game preparation and administration). He has also been responsible for the graphic design and production of band publications (CD covers, brochures, etc.); national conference promotion of the university music program; and compact disc recording, production, and editing of the UGA Wind Symphony's Grammy Award nominated and internationally distributed CDs. During his time at UGA, Dr. Richardson was awarded the School of Music Director's Excellence Award and was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.     

Trying to remain active in the academic and performance communities, Dr. Richardson has performed with ensembles like the Savannah River Winds at the 2004 Georgia Music Educator's Association Conference, and his article titled "Original Secular Works for Band and Chorus" was published in "The Instrumentalist" magazine May 2006. His professional associations have included the College Band Directors National Association, Conductor's Guild, College Music Society, MENC, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association,  If you'd like to hear or see samples of his work, visit wdavidrichardson.org