The Roanoke College athletic department announced the hiring of Chris Wilkes in May 2025 as the College’s Director of Bands after serving as the interim director.
In addition to directing the school’s marching and spirit bands he will be teach two instrumental classes for the fine arts department: Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble.
Wilkes hails from Rocky Mount, Virginia. After graduating from Franklin County High School, he studied music at James Madison University. There, he studied trumpet under James Kluesner and marched with the JMU Marching Royal Dukes. During his time with the MRD’s, the band was awarded the Sudler Cup, which honors the nation's top college marching band. Wilkes performed with the JMU Trumpet Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band before graduating with a degree in Music Education in 1995.
Wilkes was a high school and middle school band director for 18 years. He taught at Staunton River Middle and High Schools, Andrew Lewis Middle School, and Salem High School. In 2010, Wilkes was recognized as the Andrew Lewis and Salem City Teacher of the Year. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Salem Rotary Club for outstanding contributions to the Salem community. In 2010, Wilkes received his Master of Education degree from the Curry School at the University of Virginia.
From 2010-2012, Wilkes served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Roanoke City Public Schools where he served 68 fine arts teachers and over 12,000 students. In 2012 Mr. Wilkes returned to Salem to direct the band program at Salem High School. At SHS, he directed the Symphonic, Concert, and Jazz Bands as well as the “Pride of Salem” marching band. Wilkes has been a long-time member of the soul band Sunset Drive. He has backed up such artists as Percy Sledge, Archie Bell, Dee Dee Sharp, Eddie Floyd, Jerry Butler, and the Impressions. He has performed in 13 states and two countries with Percy Sledge, including a performance on ABC's Good Morning America. He has twice performed at the Lincoln Center in Manhattan and once shared the stage with legend Jerry Lee Lewis. He has performed on two albums and one DVD with Percy Sledge. Wilkes has spent the last several years as a school administrator in Salem. Wilkes is no stranger to Roanoke College as he was the head coach of the RC Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams for three seasons starting in 2020.
Wilkes resides in Salem with his wife, Kristen, two children, Andrew and Jenna, and Yellow Lab Duke.
