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Lee David Legette

Position: Professor of Music Department: Music

Contact Info

Office: 204 Fine Arts Building Phone: 336-750-2530 Fax: 336-750-2522

Biography

Lee David Legette is professor of music in the Department of Music at Winston-Salem State University where he teaches saxophone, music education methods courses and conducts a university jazz ensemble. Additionally he coaches or has coached several small ensembles that he founded including the Ramsax Quartet and the Raminiscence Jazz Combo. He also chairs the WSSU Lyceum Cultural Events Series.

Dr. Legette holds BS, MA, and PhD degrees in instrumental music education (woodwinds) from Fayetteville State University, the University of Iowa and the Florida State University respectively. Further study has been done at the Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining the faculty at WSSU, he taught and directed bands at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC and Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He has over 29 years of teaching experience and five years experience in administrative affairs. He is the recipient of both the 2008-2009 Wachovia Excellence in Teaching Award and the Cedric S. Rodney Distinguished Service Award. He received the 2012-2013 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Legette is active locally and regionally as a performer and clinician. Currently, he is principal alto saxophonist with the Piedmont Wind Symphony, and has been one of its featured soloists – a position he has held for 21 years. Additionally he has performed with many well known recording and stage personalities such as Joe Henderson, Red Skelton, Jackeé Harry, Javon Jackson, Cab Calloway, Rufus Thomas, Red Rodney, the Temptations, Freddie Hubbard, Ira Sullivan, John Faddis, Louie Bellison, Robert Trowers, Pharoah Sanders, Clarence Carter, Freda Payne, Stanley Turrentine, Ernie Watts, McCoy Tyner, Arturo Sandoval, Nicholas Payton, Paul Anka, Antonio Hart, Dianne Schuur, Ronnie Milsap, Three Dog Night, Dionne Warwick, Al Jarreau, Common, Henry Butler and Kenny G. He was a finalist in the ASCAP Competition for Young Composers and has had arrangements performed and recorded by the Eastman Studio Jazz Orchestra. He is a member of the North Carolina Music Educator Association, the National Association for Music Educators, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the Intercollegiate Music Association, Inc., and the American Educational Research.

Educational Background

  • PhD, The Florida State University
  • MA, The University of Iowa
  • BS, Fayetteville State University

Research and Project Interests

  • Varying impacts of contemporary music on society

2014 Causal Attributions of Pre-service Teachers for Success or Failure in Music Teaching Symposium on Music Teacher Education, Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference,
Savannah, Georgia.

2013 Causal Attributions of Pre-service Teachers for Success or Failure in Music Teaching Symposium on Music Teacher Education, Greensboro, NC.

1989 Marching Band Techniques Courses: Their Usefulness to First – and Second Year High School Band Directors; Dissertation Abstracts.

1986 Transcription of Dexter Gordon’s tenor saxophone solo on “The Days of Wine and Roses,” Jazz Educators Journal, February/March 1986, XVIII, No. 3.