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BIOGRAPHY
Ronald Foster is one of the new breed of conductor/composers capable of working within a wide variety of musical genres. Whether it be on the concert stage, in the theater, or in the areas of jazz and popular music, Mr. Foster has earned a reputation as a creative, innovative, and sensitive musician.
Mr. Foster has been a frequent guest conductor with the Milwaukee Symphony since 1998, and has also served as guest conductor with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Traverse Symphony, Sheboygan Symphony, Waukesha Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, Pueblo Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Soundscapes Chamber Ensemble, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Orchestra.
Ronald Foster has been Conductor and Composer with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program since 1997, and served as Guest Composer with the MSO in January, 2000. He is currently Adjunct Professor at Carroll University (American Film Music) and was Adjunct Professor of Composition at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1999-2006. Mr. Foster served as Music Director, Conductor, and Co-Founder of the Broadmoor Pops Orchestra (Colorado) from 1992-98, Music Director and Conductor of the Pikes Peak Civic Orchestra from 1989-91 and 1994-95, Music Director and Conductor of the Colorado College Chamber Orchestra from 1990-95, Assistant Conductor of the Pueblo Symphony from 1989-91, and was Music Director, Conductor, and Composer/Arranger for the Broadmoor Ice Revue Orchestra from 1985-95.
The music of Ronald Foster has been performed and/or recorded by the Milwaukee Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Amarillo Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Colorado Springs Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, Garden State Philharmonic, Cape Cod Symphony, Lubbock Symphony, Traverse Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony, Kokomo Symphony, Ohlone Symphony, Plymouth Symphony, Pueblo Symphony, Wellesley Symphony, Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony, Lamont Symphony, Bloomington Pops, Broadmoor Pops, Aureole, Da Vinci String Quartet, Eclectix, Juilliard Brass Quintet, Present Music, Stephen Burns, Woody Herman, Bobby McFerrin, Heidi Grant Murphy, Doc Severinsen, David Shostac, The Four Freshmen, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, The Air Force Band (D.C.), Air Force Academy Band, Air Force Band of Liberty (Boston), Air Force Band of Flight (Dayton), Band of the Royal Air Force College, and leading chamber, collegiate, and military ensembles. His works include music for orchestra, wind ensemble/band, brass and percussion ensemble, string quartet, chamber ensembles, solo clarinet, solo guitar, chorus, children’s chorus, jazz band, and electronic orchestration. He is the former Chief Composer for the United States Air Force Academy Band.
Ronald Foster attended the University of North Texas and holds degrees from the University of Denver (MA: Orchestral Conducting/Composition) and the University of Southern Colorado (BS: Music Performance: Woodwinds). He studied conducting with Harold Farberman, Vincent La Guardia, and Daniel Lewis, and composition with John Corigliano and Donald Keats. Mr. Foster won the 1993 America the Beautiful Commissioning Project and received ASCAP Composer Awards from 1992-2007. Ronald Foster’s "...on the Wings of Angels,” a joint commission for the Dayton Philharmonic and the Air Force Band of Flight, commemorating the 2003 Centennial of Powered Flight, premiered in May, 2003. His chamber orchestra version of David Carlson’s "The Midnight Angel,” commissioned by Milwaukee’s renowned Skylight Opera Theatre, opened the Skylight’s 2007-2008 season.
“ Congratulations on your recent CD. You have wonderful
craft and the music is very beautiful.”
– John Corigliano
“ Finding your work placed between Bernstein and Copland on a program must
be a little daunting for a composer. But Foster’s “Contemplations
for Solo Clarinet” held up quite well in such august company. It proved
to be a colorful, creative piece, particularly in Haskell’s spirited
interpretation...”
– Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“ Music of this sort is hard to play. They played “Notturno” with
panache, sympathy and a confidence born of conductor Ron Foster’s rock-solid
command of the score.”
– Tom Strini, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
The [Milwaukee Symphony] Pops, under the baton of Ronald Foster, presented
the program, “Symphonic Night at the Movies.” Foster and
the orchestra did a remarkable job.”
– Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
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