Dr. Clarence E Knight, Jr.

Dr. Clarence E. Knight, Jr., former Chair and Professor of Music, Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Bowie State University. His tenure at Bowie State included such contributions as: The father of the now “Symphony of Soul” Band Program; Starting the Music Technology program through a Title III Grant; Providing the vision and direction for the “NEW” Fine and Performing Arts Building that was completed in January 2012 and the redesigning of the Fine and Performing Arts Department into its present configuration. Dr. Knight is also a professional musician that has a wealth of experience in musical theater, recordings, and performances with a number of luminaries such as Gladys Knight, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jackson Five, and many others. He is also the leader of his own band and orchestra that has performed at the Congressional Black Caucus Awards Dinner (over 10 years), Presidential Inaugurations’ (5), Weddings, Dances, and many other engagements.

His experience spans over five decades. His initial experience started while attending The School of Music at Howard University where he performed as the lead alto saxophone player under the direction of “Rick” Henderson at the famed Howard Theater in Washington DC.

Dr. Knight is also the owner of CLARENCE E KNIGHT PRODUCTIONS, a musical contracting business that has contracted musicians throughout the United States backing up some of the leading Acts in the Country. His contracting also included Musical Theater at The Warner Theater in Washington DC and other theaters in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Boston; He was the first African American leader of a Jazz Band in the National Football League (Leader of the Jazz Band for the Washington Redskins for 15 years) and other major venues both locally and nationally.

He holds the Bachelor of Music Education and Masters of Music Education degrees from Howard University and the Ed. D. in Educational Administration Degree from The George Washington University.