Jazz Studies Coordinator, Jazz Ensemble I, Trombone/Euphonium
William Ford is the Jazz Studies Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Trombone/Euphonium at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Dr. Ford has previously taught at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana and maintained a private studio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His students have been accepted into undergraduate and graduate music programs, as well as winning middle and high school band director positions. He currently directs the Tarleton Jazz I and teaches a full studio of major and non-major trombone and euphonium players at Tarleton State.
Dr. Ford holds degrees from Louisiana State University (DMA), Western Michigan University (MM), and James Madison University (BM). His primary teachers include Hana Beloglavec, Doug Stone, Steve Wolfinbarger, Andrew Lankford, and Chuck Dotas.
As a performer he holds the position of second trombone with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, LA. He has performed with orchestras including the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. He has also had the opportunity to perform with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist and principal trombone during their 60th and final season. During his time at Louisiana State, he was named a finalist in the 2020 American Trombone Workshop Division III National Solo Competition. While at Western Michigan, Dr. Ford was a member of the Jazz Ensemble and Advanced Jazz Combo, which won Downbeat Magazine Awards in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Dr. Ford is committed to the advancement of trombone and jazz pedagogy and is currently working with Mountain Peak Music to publish a method book for jazz trombone.
He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.