Welcome to the Band Program Website
Dr. John R. Lamkin, II, is the Director of Bands and the Coordinator of Music Education in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Dr. Lamkin is primarily responsible for the instrumental music program. He also supervises student teachers and is responsible for teaching several music education courses.
Dr. Lamkin received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from South Carolina State College; received his Masters in Music Education from Morgan State University; and his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Music Education from the University of Maryland at College Park. He taught in the public school systems in South Carolina and Baltimore, Maryland, before joining the faculty at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1984.
As a professional trumpet player, Dr. Lamkin has performed with Eubie Blake, the Manhattans, the Dells, Stephanie Mills, Maurice Hines, Bob Hope, Stanley Turrentine, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Earland, Vaughn Freeman, Frank Foster, the Washington Jazz Battalion, the Peabody Jazz Ensemble, the Baltimore City Big Band, the Lynn Gray Orchestra, the Baltimore Cultural Arts Big Band, the Hank Levy Alumni Band, and the Blue Moon Big Band. Dr. Lamkin has also performed with his own jazz ensembles in various night clubs and for many parties and weddings in and around the Baltimore-Washington area. He has also performed in several churches as a guest conductor and a trumpet soloist and with his Sacred Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Lamkin also leads a brass quintet that regularly performs for the Sojorner Douglas graduating ceremonies. In the mid 1980s, Dr. Lamkin recorded his only album titled, “Hot,” in 1984.
A native of Atlantic City, NJ, Dr. Lamkin grew up during a time when live jazz music filled its streets, especially during the summer months. It was during his formative years in Atlantic City that he fell in love with music, particularly the sound of jazz music, and realized that he was called to dedicate his life to the perpetuation of music.