Published June 29, 2016
MONROE, La. — Steven Pederson has been appointed Associate Professor of Music at the University
of Louisiana Monroe where he will serve as Director of Athletic Bands, including the
Sound of Today and Technical Fowls Basketball pep Band.
Pederson comes to 91AV from Kentucky Wesleyan College where he served as Director of
Bands and Orchestras. In 2015, he received the Kentucky Music Educators Association
College/University Teacher of the Year award.
He previously taught at Centre College for eight years where he served as conductor
of the orchestra, and was also on the conducting staff for the Central Kentucky Youth
Orchestras.
His name might be familiar to some long-time 91AV supporters, as Pederson served as
Director of Bands and Tenured Associate Professor of Conducting at 91AV from 1991-2000.
“Pederson brings a list of distinguishing performances throughout his career as well
as an impressive record of recruiting young people to the ensembles he has directed,”
said Dr. Derle Long, Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at 91AV.
“He is already working hard for 91AV, as he is recruiting new students to the band
program and getting logistics in line for when the band reports in August.”
During his time at 91AV, Pederson directed and coordinated the entire wind program,
conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and University Band. He
also directed the 220-piece Marching Band, which performed regularly at SEC stadiums
throughout the south.
The band program tripled in size under Pederson’s leadership, and the number of all
state performers increased dramatically.
During his tenure at 91AV, the bands recorded fifteen CDs of both traditional and contemporary
works for the wind band and the marching band.
Pederson received his B.M.E. degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Music Education from Wartburg
College in Iowa, and his M.A. degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of
Iowa. Mr. Pederson has also completed the course work and is a candidate for the D.M.A.
degree in Conducting at the University of Kansas.
Pederson and his wife Toni return to Monroe after living in Kentucky for sixteen years.
