Robert Parker, interim conductor
Robert Parker is the interim conductor and a founding member of the Wilmington Symphonic Winds. Since the ensemble’s beginning, he has been part of its story—first as a percussionist, then as its inaugural president, and now from the podium as interim conductor. For him, the connection is personal as well as professional: many of his former students now play in the group. Others have gone on to perform in U.S. military bands, or in regional and community ensembles across the Southeast. Seeing them continue to make music as adults is one of the things he values most about teaching.
Now in his 20th year as Director of Bands at Ashley High School, Mr. Parker leads a program that includes concert bands, percussion ensembles, and the Screaming Eagle Regiment marching band. His work extends beyond the classroom—he has taught at clinics and camps throughout North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina as a wind ensemble conductor, consultant, percussion instructor, and adjudicator. He has also judged marching band contests across the state in all captions: music, visual, and general effect.
Guest conducting and clinician appearances have included the NCBA Eastern All-District Band, numerous All-County Bands, the UNCW Symphonic Band, the UNCW Summer Band, and the OLLI New Horizons Band. These experiences give him the chance to work with musicians of every age, from students just beginning their journey to lifelong players returning to the stage.
Mr. Parker has also been deeply involved in the North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA). He served as Eastern District President from 2020–2022, previously held the position of State Honors Band Treasurer, and has contributed as a member of the NCBA Percussion Committee. He is a long-standing member of the state Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) committee and currently chairs and hosts the South Site MPA.
As a performer, he continues to stay active as a percussionist with the Wilmington Symphony, Cape Fear Chorale, Wilmington Choral Society, City Ballet, and Tallis Chamber Orchestra, while also collaborating regularly with church and school ensembles.
Mr. Parker lives in Wilmington with his wife, Sarah, their daughter, Charlotte, and their dog, Toby.
Dachuan Cao, interim conductor
Dachuan Cao is the Interim Director of Bands at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, OLLI New Horizons Band, leads the Pep Band, and teaches courses in conducting. Originally from China, he is deeply committed to advancing wind band music education in his home country and promoting cross-cultural exchange through music. He serves as Conductor-in-Residence of the Beijing Wind Orchestra and has presented numerous lectures, workshops, and concerts across China.
Prior to his appointment at UNCW, Cao was a Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas, where he is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting under the mentorship of Professor Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Andrew Trachsel and Amy Woody. His previous roles include Director of the Qingdao Chamber Wind Ensemble, Guest Conductor of the Qingdao Performing Arts Dance Theater Orchestra, and the Qingdao Concert Hall Symphony Orchestra.