Dr. Steven Ward is Associate Professor of Music at Abilene Christian University, serving as Director of Bands, conductor of the Camerata, and teaching courses in conducting, music education, and studio bassoon. Previous to his appointment at ACU, he was Director of Bands at Hope College in Holland, MI, and the Music Director/Conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra in Kalamazoo, MI. Dr. Ward holds a D.M.A. in Conducting from Michigan State University, East Lansing, a M.A. in Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, and a B.M. in Music Education from Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Prior to his appointment at Hope College, Dr. Ward was the Music Director/Conductor of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra in La Grande, Oregon, and was Instructor of Music at Eastern Oregon University.
He has conducted extensively in many different areas including orchestra, band, musical theater, and contemporary music, and is a recipient of the ASCAP award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music as Music Director of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra. He has spent 10 summers conducting at the Interlochen Arts Camp, conducting the Interlochen Philharmonic, as well as middle school, high school and faculty ensembles. He also has conducted many all region and similar ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival and the Orchestra for the Tennessee Governor's School.
As a bassoonist, Dr. Ward has performed with many professional orchestras including orchestras in Abilene and San Angelo, Texas; Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Midland, Michigan; Shreveport, Louisiana; and West Shore in Muskegon, Michigan. He is also active as a recitalist and chamber musician. Dr. Ward is a member of the Conductor’s Guild, the College Band Directors National Association, the International Double Reed Society, the Music Educators National Conference, Michigan State Band and Orchestra Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association.
