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Steve McNeal
Assistant Conductor, University Orchestras
(970) 491-3178 | stephen.mcneal@colostate.edu
Since 1962 until his retirement in 1997, Steve McNeal taught orchestra with Poudre School District in Ft.Collins, Colorado. He was fortunate to have many of his students as beginners in the seventh grade and to help guide their musical growth through their high school graduation.
Under Steve's direction, the Fort Collins High School Symphony Orchestra was selected for numerous performances at the CMEA Clinic Conference, and consistently received superior ratings at state contests. These achievements earned an invitation to perform for the National Convention of High School Activities Association held in Denver the summer of 1986. In the 1987-88 School Year, he was selected as National Music Educator of the Year by MENC. 1997-98 ASTA chose him National School Orchestra Director of the year. The music drama wing of the new Ft. Collins High School building is named the "McNeal Performing Arts Center". Mr. McNeal is currently the Assistant Conductor in Residence for the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras at Colorado State University, and is interim conductor of the Fort Collins Wind Symphony, a 45 member select ensemble of area professional musicians.
His most important achievement may be the many students who have chosen to make music their vocation or avocation, and the many more whose lives have been enriched by the quality and vast variety of music they have been enabled to perform. Music schools across the country are surprised by the depth and breadth of the literature Fort Collins High School graduates have experienced during their high school years. Former McNeal students are playing professionally from coast to coast while many more are involved in community groups, teaching, conducting, and composing. Mr. McNeal serves as guest lecturer, clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United States. He has been a member of several community orchestras and continues to perform locally.