Lt. Cmdr. Joel Davidson

Fleet Bandmaster, U.S. Fleet Forces Band

14 October 2020 Lt. Cmdr. Joel Davidson is a native of Austin, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Texas State University and a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from University of North Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 and attended recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois. Following training, he reported to the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a trombone instrumentalist.

He began his enlisted career assigned to Navy Band New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. Other enlisted duty stations included U.S. Fleet Forces Band, Norfolk, Virginia, and Navy Band Northeast, Newport, Rhode Island. He has completed the Navy’s unit leader and senior musician courses.

He served twelve years in the enlisted ranks, reaching the rate of chief petty officer. He commissioned as a limited duty officer bandmaster on October 1, 2013, and served officer tours as Assistant Director for the U.S. Fleet Forces Band in Norfolk, Virginia, Training Support Officer at the Naval School of Music, Band and Aviation Outreach Support Officer at the Navy Office of Community Outreach, Deputy Director of Fleet Band Activities, and as director, Navy Band Southwest in San Diego, California.

His personal military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Good Conduct Medal (four awards), and various unit and campaign awards.