Ronald F. Vernon

Ronald Vernon conducts the University Orchestra and teaches conducting and music literature. He also serves as interim associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He received the DMA degree in conducting from the University of Texas in 1973, and has since studied with such eminent teachers as Elizabeth Green, Max Rudolf, Richard Lert, and Sergiu Celibidache. An accomplished percussionist, he has held positions as principal percussionist of the South Arkansas Symphony, percussionist with the Austin (Texas) Symphony, and principal percussionist of the Tupelo (Mississippi) Symphony. In addition to his work at the University, he has conducted professional and youth orchestras throughout the United States. He currently serves as music director of the Corinth (Mississippi) Symphony, and has recently conducted the Memphis Youth Symphony, Mississippi Youth Symphony, and Houston (Texas) Youth Symphony among others. In addition, he performs with the Mississippi Early Music Ensemble.

He serves as a member of the board of directors of the Memphis Youth Symphony, and has served as president of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, the Mississippi Association of College Music Administrators, the Mississippi State String Teachers Association, and the string division of the Mississippi Music Educators Association. He is a regular panelist and advisor to the Mississippi Arts Commission and Department of Education. He is a members of the American Symphony Orchestra League and the Conductors' Guild.

E-mail: (rvernon@olemiss.edu)