Biography

Dr. Norman Wika grew up in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.  While in high school, he played in the Kansas City Youth Symphony.  After graduation, he attended the University of Miami where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education.  He began his teaching career in the Florida Keys where he taught middle and high school at Plantation Key School and Coral Shores High School.  He later spent two years as the band director at Palm Beach Gardens High School.

In 2002, Dr. Wika began a Master of Music in Music Education at the University of Connecticut.  During this time, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the UConn athletic bands, helping with the marching band directing the basketball pep band.  In 2003 Dr. Wika directed the UConn Women’s Pep Band at the NCAA Final Four and National Championship in Atlanta, GA, which they won.  In 2004, he directed the UConn Men’s Pep Band at the NCAA Final Four and National Championship in San Antonio, TX, which they won. 

After completing his master’s degree in 2004, Dr. Wika stayed at UConn and began a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting.  His primary teacher was Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw.  While a doctoral student, Dr. Wika conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra. 

Upon graduation in 2007, Dr. Wika assumed the position of Director of Bands at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and Communiversity Band.  He also directed the RiverHawk Marching Band and taught applied low brass as well as other courses within the music curriculum. 

In 2016, Dr. Wika moved to Saginaw, MI and began his tenure as Director of Bands at Saginaw Valley State University.  He conducts the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and serves as musical director of musical theatre performances.  In addition, he teaches conducting, brass methods, music theory, and music history.  In 2021, he was appointed Chair of the Music Department.  Outside of the university, Dr. Wika was the conductor of the Mid-Michigan Brass Band from 2017-2022.  In January 2022, Dr. Wika joined the conducting staff of the Saginaw Bay Youth Orchestra, and in June 2022 was appointed to a position on the Board of Directors of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to holding conducting and teaching positions, Dr. Wika is also an active trombone player.  He has performed with the Manchester Symphony (CT), the Tulsa Symphony (OK), the Saginaw Eddy Concert Band, and the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.  He is also active as a chamber musician performing with the SVSU Faculty Brass Quintet and giving solo recitals.