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Lindsey Wilson University Director of Bands Robert Palmer Has Big Plans for the Blue Raiders

'A successful band program is one where students are having a great experience, making great music and creating lasting memories.'

by Shelby Burton

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/06/2025) — The Lindsey Wilson University Blue Raider Band is entering an exciting new chapter under the leadership of its new director, Robert Palmer.

"Sometimes when a program needs to reinvent itself, it's OK to completely start over," Palmer, the Lindsey Wilson director of bands, told a group of students, faculty and community members at an Aug. 1 reception in the updated Blue Raider Band Building. "What's most important to me as your band director is giving you the opportunity for a great experience -- one that includes campus involvement, community involvement, traveling, exciting shows and, most importantly, making sure your voice as a student is heard."

The Aug. 1 event highlighted several upgrades Palmer has already made to the program since taking over less than a month ago -- a reorganized uniform closet, a renovated music library and copy room, and the addition of a recording studio. Palmer said those changes are just the beginning.

"I've been a band kid my whole life," said Palmer. "Band is not an 'I' program. It's a 'we' event. A successful band program is one where students are having a great experience, making great music and creating lasting memories."

Palmer said he wants students to help shape the band's direction, from choosing show themes to suggesting ways the ensemble can engage with the Columbia-Adair County community. He also emphasized the importance of service and outreach.

Student excitement

Palmer's enthusiasm has energized the band's students.

"I'm excited," said Chloe Taylor '26, an English education major from Adair County and the band's captain. "He seems really excited and like he really wants to make this band good. I hope we get a chance to have a full show on the field and just have some fun with it this year."

Palmer has a long history of directing bands, most recently at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he served as director of athletic bands. He said he is particularly excited to bring his experience to Southcentral Kentucky, a region synonymous with strong marching bands.

"For as long as I've been a band kid, I've known about bands from Kentucky, and that bodes very well for what this program could turn into," he said. "Our job now is not to be perfect or the best band in the world. Our job is to represent this university the best we can."

Band camp for the Blue Raider Band begins Aug. 18.

"For anyone who hasn't been in marching band before, you won't be thrown into the deep end," said Palmer. "Band camp is designed to get everyone, no pun intended, off on the right foot."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

Lindsey Wilson University Director of Bands Robert Palmer is joined by Lindsey Wilson Dean of Arts & Humanities Allison Smith, center, and Blue Raider Band captain Chloe Taylor ’26 of Columbia at the Aug. 1 reception at the Blue Raider Band Building.

LWU Blue Raider Band Reception 02 -- Lindsey Wilson University Director of Bands Robert Palmer chats with Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots ’75 at the Aug. 1 reception at the Blue Raider Band Building.

Lindsey Wilson University Director of Bands Robert Palmer addresses students, faculty and community members at an Aug. 1 reception at the Blue Raider Band Building. In his first month at the university, Palmer has made several upgrades to the building, including a reorganized uniform closet, a renovated music library and copy room, and the addition of a recording studio.

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