William Lawing is the J. Estes Millner Professor of Music. He directs the jazz ensemble and other wind and brass activities, supervises the electronic music studio and teaches a variety of courses.

He has performed with orchestras throughout the region. He has appeared as soloist with the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Pops Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Macau. He has performed on several occasions with the Cleveland Orchestra, including concerts in Carnegie Hall. He performs primarily as a solo and chamber performer. He is a member of Carolina Brass, a brass quintet, and has released a recording with that group. He has made five performing and teaching trips to Hong Kong, giving recitals, performing concertos, and serving as conductor and brass instructor of the Hong Kong Youth Music Camp. He has given additional performances in Chile, and is preparing for a series of recitals to be given in the summer of 2008 in Taiwan with Cynthia Lawing, Artist Associate in Piano. His non-classical performances include many years as lead trumpet in the pit orchestras of the Charlotte "Broadway Lights" series, and performing in concerts that have featured many jazz legends, including Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan. His professional activities away from Davidson have included conducting the CPCC Community Concert Band, and directing instrumental activities for the Music and Worship Conferences of the Presbyterian Church, USA, on ten occasions.