Band Faculty
Dr. Bruce Moss
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Professor, Director of Band Activities (band activities)
Dr. Bruce Moss, professor of music education and director of band activities at BGSU since 1994, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois. Prior to completing his doctorate in music education at Ohio State University, he served as chairman of the music department and director of bands at the York Community High School in Elmhurst, Ill., for 11 years. His many years of public school teaching were honored in 1986 when he served as co-conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Leonard Slatkin, in a special work featuring his high school students. University and high school ensembles under his direction have performed at both state and national conventions, as well as major high schools and universities throughout Canada and the United States.
Moss is also a new music reviewer for The Instrumentalist magazine. Since 1980, he has been music director of the Wheaton Municipal Band in Illinois, a professional summer community ensemble that is regarded as one of the finest of its kind in the nation. This organization was recently featured in the WGBH-TV Public Broadcasting Service’s American Experience documentary, “If You Knew Sousa.” In addition, he organized and conducted a professional wind ensemble for the College of DuPage and has taught courses at Elmhurst College, the University of Illinois, Ohio State University, the University of Iowa and VanderCook College of Music. Recently elected to the American Bandmasters Association, he holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, the Ohio Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference and several professional music fraternities.
Dr. Carol Hayward
D.M.A., Ohio State University
Assistant Professor (band activities), Director of Falcon Marching Band and Concert Band
Dr. Carol Hayward, assistant professor, is director of the Falcon Marching Band, Athletic Band and Concert Band at BGSU. A graduate of Capital University, she holds a master’s degree in music education and a doctorate in conducting from Ohio State University. From 2001–03, she was the doctoral associate in conducting at OSU, where her responsibilities included conducting the University Band and teaching undergraduate courses in conducting, as well as assisting with the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band and the Horn Ensemble.
Before returning to OSU, Hayward was a successful high school band director for over 20 years. She was director of bands and orchestra and music department chair at Westland High School in the Southwestern City Schools from 1989-2001. During her tenure, WHS performing ensembles enjoyed a reputation as some of the premier high school groups in the state of Ohio. Bands under her direction have performed at the state conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association and the American School Band Directors Association, as well as at the national convention of the American School Band Directors Association.
Hayward was awarded the National Band Association Citation of Excellence in 2000 and received a 2002–03 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award at OSU. President of the MidAmerican Conference Band Directors Association, She is past state chair of the American School Band Directors Association, and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, the College Band Directors National Association and the Ohio Music Education Association. President of the MidAmerican Conference Band Directors Association, she has served as an adjudicator and clinician in the marching band area, as well as guest conductor for various honor bands and festivals.
Dr. Kenneth Thompson
D.M.A., University of Iowa
Assistant Professor (band activities), Director of University Band
Dr. Kenneth Thompson, assistant professor, conducts the Concert and University Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, instrumental methods, and works with students in field experience placements. A graduate of Limestone College with a double major in music education and trumpet, Thompson received a master’s degree in music education and doctorate in band conducting from the University of Iowa. Prior to his BGSU appointment, he served as associate conductor of the St. Louis Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, a professional wind ensemble. He has conducted performances for numerous regional conventions, live radio broadcasts and multiple CD recordings, including recordings of new works for KJOS music in both the Conservatory Editions and Bandworks series. While at UI, he appeared as conductor with the Symphony Band, Concert Band, University Band and the Chamber Wind Ensemble. He also was founder and conductor of the Iowa Brass Choir, and was responsible for commissions of new music, as well as presenting recitals for the Midwest Composers Symposium and the Iowa Center for New Music.
Thompson taught in the Missouri public schools, during which time his band program tripled in size, with ensembles at every grade level earning consistent superior ratings at district and state levels. His writings and research have appeared in the Journal of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, School Band and Orchestra Magazine and the BCM International Web Archive. He has appeared as a guest lecturer/clinician and maintains an active clinician and adjudication schedule.