David Woodley

David Charles Clark Woodley, age 61, passed away on May 21, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana, after battling health issues for the past several months. Dave leaves behind his son, Darin (age 21) of Bloomington, Indiana; his mother, Phyllis Kilpatrick Woodley of Winterset, Iowa; and his brother, Douglas Woodley (wife Carrie) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his father, Merritt D. Woodley. Dave was a Winterset native who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from the University of Iowa. While there, he led the Hawkeye Marching Band for 2 years as Drum Major and then served as Assistant Marching Band Director. He went on to serve as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Louisville where he rebuilt the size and caliber of the marching band. In recognition of his success and contributions at U of L, he was named a Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. When his mentor, Dr. Morgan Jones, retired from the University of Iowa, Dave served as the interim Director of Athletic Bands for two years. In 1993, he joined the Indiana University School of Music faculty as Associate Professor and Director of the Marching Hundred and Big Red Basketball Band. He led the Marching Hundred in performing at numerous bowl games, special events, NFL games and appeared at Super Bowl XLVI. In 2007, the Marching Hundred was honored as the recipient of The Sudler Trophy, often called the “Heisman Trophy for college marching bands,” which is awarded to a college or university marching band demonstrating the highest musical standards of special merit and historical significance. Dave’s passion for music, sports and teaching connected him with thousands of students over the 27 years of his leadership. Dave wrote and arranged the majority of IU halftime shows and was commissioned to arrange more than 500 charts and arrangements used by high school college and university bands across the nation. He also has numerous wind ensemble arrangements and concert band scores to his credit, and was a highly regarded judge, clinician and guest conductor. He founded and co-chaired the College Band Directors National Association Athletic Band Advisory Council; served for many years as co-chair of the Big Ten/Pac 12 Athletic Band Directors Association; was a member of the National Band Association and was an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. His university teaching included arranging, marching band techniques and wind score study. Professor Woodley’s teaching style demanded excellence, along with a mix of entertainment, practicality and was always accomplished with a sense of humor. He inspired many students to become band directors and pursue a career in music. His graduate students fondly nicknamed him ‘Colonel’, which stayed with him throughout his career at Indiana. He retired from teaching as a full professor in December of 2021. A lifelong Mets and Raiders fan, he and Darin enjoyed many games together. He was especially proud to have Darin play trombone in Marching Hundred for his freshman year. He also passed along his love of golf to Darin. Visitations will be held at The Funeral Chapel in Bloomington, Indiana on Wednesday, May 25th from 4-7 pm and then at the Winterset Chapel of the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Winterset, Iowa on Friday, May 27th from 5-7 pm. He will be laid to rest in Winterset at a later date. Details about an Indiana University scholarship in Professor Woodley’s name, and a tribute event at the fall 2022 IU Homecoming - will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that personal memorials in David’s name be directed to the Winterset High School Alumni Association, POB 30, Winterset, Iowa 50273.