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Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| Ralph Ford named Director of Bands at Troy State University |
| In
a span of 15 years, Ralph Ford has gone from performing for Troy
State University’s "Sound of the South" Band to directing
it. University officials announced Friday, Feb. 16, that Ford, who has served on the music faculty since earning his bachelor’s degree from TSU in 1986, is the new band director. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, made the announcement to more than 200 cheering band members assembled for practice Friday afternoon. Hawkins was accompanied by TSU’s newest trustee, Milton McGregor; Dr. David Dye, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts; and Johnny Williams, director of Athletics, in making the announcement. "Great people come together in a common cause to form great organizations," Dr. Hawkins said. "This is true for the Sound of the South. Ralph Ford knows that to be great you must stand on the shoulders of giants and then reach for new heights." Ford is the third director of the Sound of the South, succeeding Robert Smith, who will step down as director Sept. 1 to take a position as a consulting editor with Warner Bros. Publishing. Ford is a protégé of the founder of the band, Dr. John M. Long. "I am flattered to be asked to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Long and Robert Smith, who have established a great music tradition at Troy State University," Ford said. "I am also humbled by the show of support from students, alumni, faculty and administration." Ford, a native of Panama City, Fla. was a member of the Sound of the South for four years. He received his master’s degree from TSU in 1987. In addition to his academic work, Ford is also an accomplished composer/arranger, having recently signed a five-year contract with Warner Bros. Publishing. Two years ago, he and Smith collaborated with famed composer John Williams to arrange his "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace" movie score into sheet music for symphony, orchestra and marching bands. Ford lives in Troy with his wife, Amanda, the director of bands at Charles Henderson Middle School, and their daughter Melanie. |