Professor William Rose

William G. Rose serves as Associate Professor of Music and Assistant Department Head in the Hanna Department of Performing Arts at McNeese State, where he teaches the low brass studio, directs the McNeese Alphorn Ensemble, conducts the brass choir and jazz ensemble, and teaches jazz improvisation. He has taught music theory & music technology, and served as Musical Director for music theater productions. He recently retired after 30 years as Music Director at St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

Professor Rose has served as a clinician, performed and premiered compositions at the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts Biennial Convocation, Created to Praise, the International Trombone Association Festival, the New York Brass Conference, the Big 12 Trombone Conference, and the International Horn Society Festival, as well as many regional and state festivals and conferences throughout the United States. He serves as instructor and composer for the Northwest Alphorn Workshop, assistant instructor and composer-in-residence for the Midwest Alphorn Retreat, conducted and performed at the North American Alphorn Retreat.

As an orchestral and theatrical conductor, he has served as Music Director and conductor for many theatrical productions and concerts in Southwest Louisiana. He was recently appointed as Conductor and Artistic Director for the Lake Charles Symphony after serving as Principal Trombone since 1986; and he continues to serve as Principal Trombone for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra (currently in his 39^th year with RSO). As a composer and arranger his list of works includes over 500 pieces for ballet, band, orchestra, theater, jazz ensemble, choir, handbells, brass ensembles/alphorn choir, and solo works for voice, organ/piano, brass and alphorn. Mr. Rose is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a Melodious Accord Composition Fellow, and received the McNeese State University President’s Award for Excellence in 2022.