Hired in 2009 as the Director of Instrumental Music at the University of Wisconsin – Stout, Dr. Aaron M. Durst has been a contributing member of the music faculty, developing the courses of Music in Our World, Jazz History, and Rock Music History. The Stout Symphonic Band, Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Embers, Blue Devil Jazz Project, and Tower Saxophone Quartet have prospered under his leadership. He collaborated with music and theatre colleagues to launch the performing arts minor and has been chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr. Durst is presently serving as Associate Dean, College of Arts & Human Sciences and Director of the School of Art & Design.
A native of Spencer, Iowa, Dr. Durstearned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Saxophone Performance at the University of Georgia, the Master of Arts Degree in Music (Wind Conducting) at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and the Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of South Dakota. He has studied saxophone with Kenneth Fischer and Kenneth Carroll, and been a saxophonist in the United States Army, stationed with the 9th Army Band at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Dr. Durst is an experienced performer on soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones as a soloist and as a chamber musician. He was band director for grades 5-12 in Newell, South Dakota.
His research has been on the saxophone music of Robert Lemay, the saxophone concerti of Pierre Max Dubois, and saxophone solos with wind band. He collaborated with percussionist David Kile as Duo Eigentone, releasing an album of saxophone and percussion literature in 2019. His current performance exploration has focused on works for voice and saxophone as he collaborates with countertenor Jerry Hui. He is lead alto performing regularly with the Troppo Big Band of Chippewa Falls and performs occasionally with the Ludington Guard Band in Menomonie.