Gordon Ring

A native of Missouri, Gordon Ring attended public schools in that state and received his Bachelor's degrees in Music and Music Education from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, where he studied composition with Donald Bohlen and Walter Halen.

After four years of high school teaching in Missouri, he moved to the University of North Texas in Denton, where he received his master's and doctoral degrees, both in composition. While at North Texas, he studied composition with Martin Mailman, electronic and computer music with Larry Austin, conducting with Robert Winslow and jazz arranging with Paris Rutherford.

Dr. Ring is currently Professor of Music at Longwood University, where he teaches composition, music theory, and music technology and conducts the Wind Symphony. He has been responsible for the design and implementation of the MIDI / Computer Music Lab there. He also previously taught at Culver-Stockton College and the University of North Texas.

Several of his works for various media have been prize winners in national and international composition contests, such as the National Band Association, National Opera Association, International Horn Society, National Orchestral Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, Christ Church (New York), Pro Arte Chorale and others. He has received the ASCAP MusicPlu$ Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers each year since 1991.

In 1997 he received the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for “signifcant and lasting contributions to the cause of music in America.” His chamber opera, Highway 77 was a finalist in the National Opera Association Chamber Opera Composition Competition, and it was premiered in November, 2003, at the University of Central Missouri, at which time he was named the Distinguished Music Alumnus from that university. It was also performed at Longwood University in June, 2004.

As a conductor he is active as a clinician and adjudicator of honor bands and festivals in the Midwest, East Coast and Canada. He has also served as organist at Farmville United Methodist Church since 1989.