Our Conductor, Mr. Gerald Guilbeaux

A member of the Lafayette Concert Band since its inception in 1982, Gerald Guilbeaux has been the Conductor/Music Director of the band since 1993. He is also the founder and conductor of the Acadian Wind Symphony, a select 50 piece wind ensemble which performs during the summer months and at special events. Under his direction, the Lafayette Concert Band became the 1999 recipient of the Sudler Silver Scroll, an international award recognizing excellence in adult community bands, administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

He holds the Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Louisiana and studied conducting with Professor John Gilfry. He served in the United States Army as a bandsman and Drum Major with the Seventh Division Band in Korea and the 76th Army Band in Germany. Mr. Guilbeaux is former Director of Bands at Fatima High School, Franklin Senior High School and Carencro High School. Upon leaving the field of music education he entered the business community and is currently owner and President of Gerald Guilbeaux Insurance Agency, Inc. affiliated with State Farm Insurance Companies.

Mr. Guilbeaux is Past-President of the Association of Concert Bands and is former Editor of the ACB Journal. He has twice been awarded the Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association and received the Diploma of the Order of Merit by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Mr. Guilbeaux is an active guest conductor, and adjudicator and serves on the Selection Committee for the Sudler Silver Scroll and is a member of the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He is an elected Associate Member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club and was named 2001 Kiwanian of the Year. He was a member the Board of Governors of the UL Alumni Association, past president of Delta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Honorary Music Fraternity and former president of the University of Louisiana Alumni Band.

He and his wife Beth make their home in Lafayette and are the proud parents of three daughters, Amy, Lynn and Chrissy. Granddaughters, Carly and Cameryn O’Quain, Addison Thompson, and grandson Lucien Bone IV add tremendous joy to their family lives.