John Boyd is Director of Bands, Professor of music, and Coordinator of the Wind/Percussion Division at Indiana State University (emeritus), where he conducted the ISU Wind Orchestra and he also conducts the professional wind orchestra Philharmonia à Vent.

He received the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Advanced study in conducting was done with John Paynter, Bernard Rubenstein and Crawford Gates. Prior to joining the Indiana State University faculty in 1989, he taught at Northern Illinois University, Wichita State University, Kent State University, and the University of Arizona.

John Boyd is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, MENC/IMEA, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, WASBE, Phi Kappa Lambda and Phi Beta Mu. He also serves on the board of directors for the Conductors Guild and was Vice President (President Elect) of the Indiana Bandmasters Association. He enjoys an international reputation as a conductor of wind bands and has undertaken extensive guest engagements abroad as well as in the United States.