School of Music announces new director of orchestral activities

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Music has announced the appointment of Creston Herron as its new director of orchestral activities. Herron, a highly respected conductor and educator, will join the School of Music in fall 2023.

Herron is currently the director of fine arts for the Klein Independent School District and the conductor of Rice University’s Campanile Orchestra in Texas. He is also the former director of orchestras at Klein High School and the former director of strings for the Yes Prep Public Schools. With a career spanning over two decades, Herron has conducted regional and all-state ensembles in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas.

"We are thrilled to welcome Creston Herron to the University of Kansas School of Music," said Paul Popiel, interim dean of the School of Music. "His extensive experience as a conductor, educator and musician will be invaluable in leading our orchestral program and inspiring the next generation of musicians."

As a dedicated pedagogue, Herron said he is passionate about working with young performers and future educators. He has presented master classes and guest lectures at several institutions, including Rice University, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and The Midwest Clinic. He also provides professional development workshops to educators locally and nationally. In addition to his work as an educator, Herron is an accomplished violinist and has performed with various symphonies, including the Houston Latin Philharmonic and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

"I cannot express how thrilled I am to join the University of Kansas faculty and be a part of the institution that helped develop me into the musician that I am today,” Herron said. “This is more than just a job opportunity for me. It's a homecoming. I look forward to sharing the same passion instilled in me many years ago with the current and future students of this incredible university." 

Herron received his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from KU, his Master of Music from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music in Houston, where he received his scholarship as a Provost Fellow and a Brown Scholar, and recently received a Master of Education in school leadership from Sam Houston State University.