Our Director

For nearly two decades Dr. R. Mark Bailey has been the conductor of the Lee University Symphonic Band. A veteran church musician and music scholar, Dr. Bailey’s leadership has been a catalyst for growth of both the Symphonic Band and the instrumental music program at Lee University. A professor of music, he regularly teaches graduate and undergraduate level classes in music education, applied conducting, church music, and music theory.

An alumnus of Lee College, Bailey received the Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1978. He went on to pursue the Masters of Music degree from Wright State University while serving as minister of music at the Philadelphia Church of God in Dayton, Ohio. Following the completion of his master’s degree in 1980, Bailey joined the faculty of the West Coast Christian College in Fresno, California where he taught courses on music theory and conducting in addition to directing the West Coast Singers. In 1983 Bailey took a position at the Central Parkway Church of God in Cincinnati, Ohio as minister of music. During his tenure there, he directed numerous productions and coached many young musicians for Teen Talent with great success.

In 1989 Bailey returned to Lee College as a faculty member and was appointed director of the Symphonic Band. Because of his experience as a music pastor and with the blessing of President Charles Paul Conn, Bailey shifted the primary focus of the group from a traditional concert band to a touring ministry ensemble. Because of that, the Symphonic Band has since developed a strong, multifaceted ministry that has impacted the lives of thousands of people worldwide.

In 2000 Bailey earned the Doctorate in Music Education degree from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati while remaining on faculty at Lee University. In addition to his responsibilities as a professor, Dr. Bailey has served a number of congregations in the region as their minister of music including the North Chattanooga Ministry Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the South Cleveland Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee and Mt. Olive Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Dr. Bailey is married to Elizabeth (Logan) Bailey. The Baileys have two children, Layne and Jordan. Layne Bailey, a graduate of Lee University, is working toward the Masters of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary. Jordan Bailey, a high student, plays trumpet in the Chattanooga Youth Symphony.

Recognized beyond the Lee University campus, Mark Bailey served as President of the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association from 2000-2004. His writings on music and the church have been published in the Evangel, a periodical published by the Church of God denomination with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Dr. R. Mark Bailey’s leadership and influence has equipped and inspired countless individuals to share the love of Jesus Christ through music. Through his ministry, thousands have come to know Jesus Christ around the world.