Dr. Todd Nichols’ currently serves as Director of University Bands and Area Head of Conducting at Rutgers University. His duties include oversight and administration of all instrumental large ensembles, directing the Marching Scarlet Knights and Symphonic Winds, and teaching graduate conducting. Nichols led highly acclaimed performances at the 2025 London Band Week, 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2021 Music for All Grand Nationals Finals, 2025, 2024, and 2018 NFL Football halftime shows for the NY Jets and NY Giants, and for United States President Joseph Biden. Nichols served on the faculties of New York University and Columbia University and is the Past President of the Big Ten Band Directors’ National Association.

Nichols annually serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and recording producer, and is especially honored to have guest-conducted the United States Army Field Band. Nichols currently serves as the Music Director for the Princeton Brass Band and is Artistic Director for the Eastern Wind Symphony. Under his direction, the EWS has been invited to perform at numerous major music conventions, including the 2021 and 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

For nineteen years, Nichols served as Director of Bands at Roxbury and Edison High Schools in NJ, where his ensembles were recognized for outstanding performance at numerous local, state, and many prestigious national festivals and concerts. Nichols also performed professionally as a freelance percussionist and drummer in hundreds of performances with prominent professional ensembles and musical acts.

Nichols has co-authored articles published in The Journal of Band Research and WASBE Journal and was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2016. Nichols received the 2022 Rutgers University Transfer Student Champion Award, two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and the NJ Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award.