Kokomo Park Band Conductor

Stephen R. Rhodes
                                                                      Stephen Rhodes is a professional trombonist, conductor and music arranger.  After attending Indiana University and Ball State University, he performed for five seasons as trombonist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra and for over twenty years was the principal trombone in the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Rhodes has performed with the touring orchestras of noted entertainers Henry Cuesta, Frankie Lain and Kaye Starr and has played in numerous dance bands including frequent tours with the legendary Guy Lombardo Orchestra. 

A native of Peru, Indiana, Mr. Rhodes began his conducting career while still a high school student, leading a local community presentation of "Carousel".  He has since served as music director for numerous musical theater production, most recently conducting "Hello Dolly" and "South Pacific" for the Kokomo Civic Theater.  In 1989, he was named Music Director of the Kokomo Park Band.

Mr. Rhodes is widely respected as a musical arranger.  His orchestral arrangements have been played by the Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Richmond, Muncie and Kokomo symphony orchestral.  His arrangements for marching and concert band have been programmed by numerous high school, college and community bands throughout the Midwest, as well as by the U.S. Army Band and by the Princess of Wales' Royal Regimental Band in England. 

With an avid interest in music history and musicology, Mr. Rhodes is also an articuate musical spokesperson. He has frequently given presentations at "Words on Music", the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's series of pre-concert commentary sessions, and he is a regular panelist on WFYI's "The Listening Room", the weekly classical music review and discussion program of Indianapolis' National Public Radio affiliate.
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