Dr. David Stringham, Ph.D.

Ph.D., University of Rochester

Fredonia School of Music Dean David A. Stringham joined the State University of New York at Fredonia in May 2023 following thirteen years at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). At JMU, he held faculty and administrative positions, served as pianist/conductor for university musicals, led the JMU Jazz Band, and taught courses related to music learning and teaching, music technology, and research methods. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Office of Creative Propulsion and Professor of Music in JMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.



Dr. Stringham’s research interests include generative creativity and lifelong music engagement. His work has been supported with grants from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Association for Music Education, National Endowment for the Arts, and 4-VA Collaborative. He has presented work in state, national, and international venues, and is published in journals including Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Qualitative Research in Music Education, and Research Studies in Music Education. Dr. Stringham co-edited Musicianship: Composing in Band and Orchestra and Musicianship: Improvising in Band and Orchestra (GIA Publications), and has contributed chapters to books including Winding It Back: Teaching to Individual Differences in Music Classroom and Ensemble Settings (Oxford University Press), Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Instrumental Music (Rowman & Littlefield), and the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Music Composition Pedagogy (Oxford University Press).



A native of Corfu, NY, Dean Stringham began his professional career as an instrumental music teacher in Greece (NY), Pembroke (NY), and Williamsville (NY) Central Schools. He holds degrees (Bachelor of Music with Highest Distinction, Master of Music, Doctor of Philosophy) from University of Rochester.

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Programs

  • Web-Based Measurement of Individual Students’ Creativity-Based Music Achievement, N/A (2022).
  • A Song in a Strange Land: Human Noise and the Gray Catbird, N/A (2022).
  • Standards-Based Music Achievement in Instrumental Music Education: Effects of Creating, Responding, and Connecting on Performance, N/A (2021).
  • Community Attributes, Music Achievement, Educational Attainment, Socio-Economic Status, and Success at Virginia Concert Assessments, N/A (2021).
  • More Stories and Songs: Expanding a Music and Social Work Collaboration with Gemeinschaft Home, N/A (2021).
  • TeleBand v1.0, N/A (2021).
  • Enhancing Inclusive Music Education: Developing Web Application Support for Assessing Individual Students’ Standards-Based Music Achievement, N/A (2020).
  • Fifth House Ensemble Residency, N/A (2020).
  • Stories and Songs of Incarceration, Equity, Justice, and Community: Impact of an Interdisciplinary, Arts-Based Project on Formerly Incarcerated Persons, Pre-Service Professionals, & Community Members, N/A (2017).
  • JMUke, N/A (2016).
  • Mapping Community Music in Virginia, N/A (2015).
  • Music Technology Engagement for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, N/A (2014).
  • A Descriptive Study of Public High School Music Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia, N/A (2012).