William LaRue Jones
Professor
Director of Orchestral Studies
Phone: (319) 335-1628
Office: 1036VMB
william-jones@uiowa.edu

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William LaRue Jones

One of the most active and versatile symphonic conductors in America today, Dr. William LaRue Jones possesses a unique ability to work effectively with musicians at all levels of performing capability and experience. His conducting schedule averages over 100 concerts annually and includes a wide array of professional, festival, collegiate and student ensembles throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, ranging from the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minneapolis Pops, to the Penang (Malaysia) Symphony, the Antofagasta (Chile) Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra of Lucerne (Switzerland). Jones has conducted over 70 All-State orchestras with additional festival/clinics in most of the 50 states and Canadian provinces. Conducting engagements this season includes Texas, Washington D.C., Arizona, Minnesota, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa and Alaska as well as concerts in Australia, Norway and Malaysia.

The acknowledgement of his musical and academic expertise has led to invitations to serve extended conducting residence at such institutions as the North Carolina School for the Arts, the University of Miami, Interlochen Academy for the Arts and Kansas City Conservatory. Recognition of Jones' outstanding gestural skills and score analysis has made him a sought-after teacher of conducting. He is a member of the conducting faculty of the International Workshops where he also serves as conductor of the International String Orchestra, and is founding Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Conductors Workshop of America. In addition, Jones is a guest clinician for numerous conducting seminars for professional/educational associations internationally. A Texas native, Dr. Jones holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, University of Iowa and Kansas State University, with additional studies at The Juilliard School of Music and the University of North Texas.

In 1972, Dr. Jones founded the Greater Twin Cities' Youth Symphonies (MN) which he guided to international acclaim during a 25 year tenure. The program became a model for youth symphony structures world-wide, comprised of eight full orchestras involving over 1000 students annually.

For his untiring work on behalf of music and arts education, he has been honored with the David W. Preuss Leadership award, the American String Teachers Associations Exceptional Leadership and Merit Award, the Sigma Alpha Iota Musician of the Year Award, WCCO Radio "Good Neighbor Award" and the State of Minnesota Governors' Proclamation of "Dr. William LaRue Jones Day". He is listed in International Who's Who in Music.

In 1997, Jones became Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies at The University of Iowa (Iowa City). He is the former Music Director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and holds the titles of Founder and Conductor Laureate of Greater Twin Cities' Youth Symphonies, and Conductor Emeritus of the 3M Symphony.

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Last updated 21-aug-06