Dr. William LaRue Jones
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Dr. William LaRue Jones

William LaRue Jones is one of the most active and versatile symphonic conductors in America today, possessing a unique ability to work effectively with musicians at all levels of performing capability and experience. His conducting schedule 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 (Chili) Symphony to the Symphony Orchestra of Lucerne (Switzerland). Engagements for 2008/9 include return performances in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lioning Symphony (China), Brisbane (Australia) plus concerts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Nevada. Jones has conducted over 80 All-State orchestras with additional festival/clinics in most of the 50 states and Canadian provinces. He has served extended conducting residencies at the North Carolina School for the Arts, the University of Miami, Interlochen Academy for the Arts and Kansas City Conservatory. In addition, he is presently serving a three term as guest conductor at Shenyang Normal University (China)

Recognition of Jones' outstanding gestural skills and score analysis has made him a sought-after teacher of conducting. He was a member of the conducting faculty with the International Workshops for 15 years where he also served as conductor of the International String Orchestra, and is the founding artistic director of the critically acclaimed Conductors Workshop of America. In addition, Jones serves as a guest clinician for numerous conducting seminars for professional and educational associations internationally.

In 1972, Dr. Jones founded the Greater Twin Cities' Youth Symphonies (MN) which he guided to international acclaim during a 25-year tenure. An independent organization comprised of eight full orchestras involving over 1000 students annually, GTCYS became a model for youth orchestra structures worldwide. For his untiring work on behalf of music and arts education, he was 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 the International Who's Who in Music and holds the titles of Founder and Conductor Laureate of Greater Twin Cities' Youth Symphonies and Conductor Emeritus of the 3M Symphony.

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.

Jones is currently Music Director/Conductor of the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Director of Orchestral Studies and Graduate Conducting at the University of Iowa, and the Artistic Director of the Conductors Workshop of America <http://www.conductorsworkshop.com/> .

For additional information about the UI orchestras call or email  Jeremy Starr

Last updated May, 2008
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