Randy Ward

About Randy Ward

Mr. Ward is a recipient of the George Mason University College for Visual and Performing Arts Presidential Scholarship, a full scholarship and research assistantship in the Ph.D. Music Education program. He has recently presented research focused on perceived cultural competencies of music teachers at the International Society for Music Education World Conference 2022 and NAFME Biennial Music Educators National Conference.Mr. Ward currently serves as Music Director of Washington Metropolitan Concert Orchestra, a full symphony orchestra for secondary students. He is past orchestra director at Springfield Estates, Garfield, and Bucknell Elementary Schools in Fairfax County Public Schools. Ward has served on the faculty of Levine School of Music, GMU Potomac Arts Academy, and Opus Community Music School. He has also taught at summer programs including East Carolina Summer Chamber Music Institute, North Carolina Suzuki Institute, Levine Summer Music Camp, and Vienna Summer Strings. Mr. Ward has been a guest clinician with Arlington Philharmonic Crescendo Chamber Music Program, Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Pitt County Schools (NC), Alexandria City Schools (VA), and Loudon County Schools (VA). Mr. Ward has served as an adjudicator for Maryland Senior All-State Orchestra, Northern Virginia Music Teachers’ Association Concerto Competition, and the Progressive Musicians Solo Competition. He was recently honored as a recipient of the ECU 40 Under Forty Leadership Award.In December 2017, Mr. Ward gave the U.S. premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Sussex Folk Tunes for Cello and Orchestra with Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. He has appeared as solo cellist with Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, East Carolina Symphony, Hartsville Civic Chorale, Greenville Choral Society, and at Kennedy Center Millenium Stage. He has also performed with ECU Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival Next Gen Series, Cellospeak 16 Cellos Ensemble, Alexandria Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Fayetteville Symphony, American Festival Pops Orchestra, and Levine String Quartet.Mr. Ward has held fellowships at Mannes Beethoven Institute (NYC), School for Strings (NYC), Portland String Quartet Workshop (ME), Garth Newel Music Center (VA), and Summertrios Festival (NY). He has participated in master classes with Timothy Eddy, Colin Carr, Paul Katz, Amit Peled, James Ehnes, Jeremy Denk, and members of the Cleveland, Brentano, Borromeo, Daedalus, Cassatt, and Cooperstown String Quartets.

Experience

1. Music Director

   Prince William County Public Schools

   Aug 2023 — Present · Manassas, VA, US

   Director of orchestras at Saunders Middle School. Increased enrollment each year in Title I school. Increased enrollment by 40% in one year. Planned concerts, delivered lessons in accordance with PWCS Orchestra POS, maintained instrument inventory. Increased student participation in state and district orchestra events including All-County Orchestra and Junior Regional Orchestra.

Education

• East Carolina University

  Bachelor of Music, Cello Performance

• George Mason University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Music Education

  2020 — 2024

• George Mason University

  Master of Music, Music Pedagogy

Skills

• Pedagogy
• Conducting
• Suzuki Lessons
• Orchestral Music
• Bass
• Music Pedagogy
• Contemporary Music
• String Quartet
• Recording
• Guitar
• Ensemble Coaching
• Classical
• Cello Lessons
• Music Education
• String
• Sight Reading
• Teaching
• Cello
• Symphony
• Violin
• Choral
• Chamber Music
• Music
• Composition
• Music Preparation
• Music History
• Ensemble
• Music Theory
• Music Performance
• Piano
• Lessons