Role

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Conductor  

 

William LaRue Jones is a renowned conductor and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri, Jones grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a jazz musician, which exposed him to a wide range of musical genres from an early age. Jones began his musical education at the age of six when he started playing the piano. He later learned to play the trumpet and the French horn, which he played in his high school band. After graduating from high school, Jones attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Jones went on to earn a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then pursued further studies at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting. Jones began his professional career as a music educator, teaching at various institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Michigan, and the University of Iowa. He also served as the music director of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra in Michigan and the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra in Michigan. In 1992, Jones was appointed the music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas, a position he held for 19 years. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including a critically acclaimed recording of the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Jones has also served as a guest conductor for many orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has also conducted orchestras in Europe, Asia, and South America. In addition to his work as a conductor, Jones is also a respected music educator. He has taught at the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has also served as a guest lecturer and conductor at many universities and music festivals around the world. Jones has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2001, he was awarded the Kansas Governor's Arts Award for his work with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He has also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Symphony Orchestra League, and the Conductors Guild. Jones is known for his passionate and dynamic conducting style, which has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. He is also known for his commitment to music education and his efforts to promote classical music to a wider audience. Today, Jones continues to be an active conductor and music educator. He currently serves as the music director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in Illinois. He also serves as a guest conductor for orchestras around the world and is a sought-after lecturer and educator.

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