Travis J. Cross: instrumental ensembles, conducting

Travis J. Cross was recently appointed assistant professor of music at Virginia Tech, where he conducts the University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting. He completed doctoral coursework at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he studied with Mallory Thompson. He previously earned the bachelor of music degree cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and the master of music degree in conducting from Northwestern.

Cross taught for four years at Edina (Minn.) High School, where he conducted two concert bands and oversaw the marching band program. In 2004, he was selected to participate in the inaugural Young Conductor/Mentor Project sponsored by the National Band Association. The same year he received the Distinguished Young Band Director Award from the American School Band Directors Association of Minnesota. From 2001–2003, Cross served a two-year term as the recent graduate on the St. Olaf College Board of Regents. In 2006, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the United States Department of Education.

A graduate of Ankeny (Iowa) High School, Cross has served as staff arranger for the Ankeny Marching Hawks from 1995-2002, during which time the band earned top honors at contests in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In 1996, he was named Collegiate Composer of the Year by the Minnesota Music Educators Association. Cross will contribute a chapter to volume four of Composers on Composing for Band, available this fall from GIA Publications. His original works and arrangements for band, choir, and orchestra are published by Boosey & Hawkes, Daehn Publications, and Theodore Music. He has guest conducted ensembles in several states and will lead honor bands in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Virginia during the 2008–2009 season.