David Lang retired in 2021 after a successful 32 year career as a band director. The majority of his career was at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa. David is active as a mentor to first and second year band directors through the Iowa Bandmasters Association and IMEA mentorship program. He is also active as an adjudicator and clinician for area marching band, jazz band, and concert band festivals.

He has been guest conductor for many conference and IBA District Honor Bands, and at the All-State Music Camp at the University of Iowa. Mr. Lang is a graduate of The University of Iowa, where he earned his Bachelors in Music Education. David’s ensembles have appeared at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference nine times. The Independence Jazz Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2005 IAJE Regional Conference in Chicago. David has had nine State Champion Jazz Bands. The Mustang Marching Band was a BOA Regional Class A Champion and Finalist in 2019 and received 8th Place at the 2018 and 2019 Grand National Championships.

David is a member of the following performing groups: Iowa Brass Band, Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, DTKK German Band and the Bluetone Jazz Collective. He is a frequent guest soloist with area community bands, colleges and high schools. While studying at the University of Iowa, he performed as a guest soloist with all three School of Music Concert Bands. He was the first place winner in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition. He has toured Europe with The Iowa’s Ambassadors of Music as a low brass instructor and euphonium soloist ten times.

Recently he was named outstanding euphonium at the 2023 US Open Brass Band Championship. At the 2024 North American Brass Band Championship, David won 1st place in technical euphonium competition. David has been presented with many education awards including: NEA and ISEA Awards for Excellence in Teaching; KCRG A+ for Education Award; KGAN Golden Apple Award; IBA NEIBA Karl King Distinguished Service Award - Active; NEIBA Philip Sehman Excellence in Teaching Award; Colts Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame, and Independence Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year.

David’s wife, Lisa, retired in 2019 after teaching elementary band for 33 years. They share their home with two beautiful cats: Louis and Meowsers.