Tulane University names Dylan Parrilla-Koester as director of bands

Tulane University has appointed Dylan Parrilla-Koester as its new director of bands, formalizing his leadership of one of the university's most visible and culturally vital programs.

Parrilla-Koester, an alumnus and former member of the Tulane University Marching Band , has served as interim director of bands since November, overseeing all aspects of the comprehensive band program, including directing the Tulane University Marching Band and serving as artistic leader of the Tulane Concert Band. His appointment marks the continuation of a deep relationship with the place where his identity as a musician, educator, and leader first took shape.

A 2018 graduate of Tulane's School of Liberal Arts, Parrilla-Koester earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in trumpet performance after initially studying political science and history. As a student, he immersed himself in every corner of the band program - from orchestra and brass band to pep band and marching band - ultimately serving in multiple leadership roles, including drum major and student conductor.

"Dylan Parrilla-Koester represents a wonderful combination of attributes and talents - academically accomplished, artistically ambitious and deeply in touch with New Orleans," said Brian T. Edwards, dean of the School of Liberal Arts. "His experience both as a former student musician and having served the band as assistant director uniquely positions him to lead the program into its next chapter. I look forward to working with him as TUMB continues to expand and enrich its relationship to our home city, a place where music, brass bands and parade culture are at the highest caliber. Whether on the field for a halftime show during a Green Wave football game or in a Mardi Gras parade, the Tulane Marching Band brings joy to fans on campus and across the city."

Following his undergraduate studies, Parrilla-Koester pursued advanced training in music education and conducting. He earned a master's degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Doctor of Education in music and music education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Parrilla-Koester's research examines music education, institutional leadership and higher education policy. He has also built an impressive career as an educator, directing award-winning instrumental programs in California and working with ensembles across the United States and Canada.

At Tulane, Parrilla-Koester was instrumental in shaping the band program, serving as assistant director of bands from 2022 to 2025. Under the leadership of longtime band director Barry Spanier, Parrilla-Koester was involved in a wide range of roles, from leading rehearsals and arranging music to designing marching productions, conducting on field and strengthening relationships with students, alumni and supporters. His leadership reflects a philosophy that sees the band not only as a musical ensemble but as a vital ambassador for the university.

"The band is both a classroom and a public voice," Parrilla-Koester said. "We are teaching students at the highest level while also representing Tulane everywhere - from Yulman Stadium to the streets of New Orleans during Carnival season."

Few institutions of higher education are as intertwined with their city as Tulane. This connection is also reflected in the university's band program, which performs at football games, university events and Mardi Gras parades, as it carries forward a tradition that is distinctly New Orleanian and uniquely Tulane.

For Parrilla-Koester, that tradition is personal. As a student, he experienced firsthand the band's role as the "soundtrack" of campus life. From convocation and admissions events to game days and community celebrations, the band was always present. He also witnessed the program's modern rebirth in the post-Katrina era, when Tulane Bands re-emerged as a symbol of resilience and renewal under Spanier's 21-year-long directorship.

Now, as director of bands, Parrilla-Koester sees his role as both steward and storyteller - preserving the traditions built by generations of students while continuing to evolve the program in ways that reflect the spirit of New Orleans.

"Our students don't just learn music - they learn how to be part of this city," he said. "From the moment they arrive, they're immersed in the city's traditions, in performance and in community. They become New Orleanians through the band."