Department of Music

Adjunct Jazz Band Director: Joel Neves

Joel Neves recently graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from Arizona State University, with secondary areas in opera and choral conducting.  His main conducting teachers were Drs. Timothy Russell and William Reber.  While at ASU, he conducted Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 2 with the Chamber Orchestra, Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche with the Symphony Orchestra, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Lyric Opera, and Berlioz’s L’enfance du Christ with the Choral Union.  Dr. Neves began his formal musical studies at Brigham Young University studying trumpet performance, where he was principal trumpet of the Philharmonic Orchestra, Brass Choir, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and brass quintets.  After receiving his Bachelors degree in music, he completed a Masters degree in Orchestral Conducting at BYU, studying with conductors David Blackinton and Kory Katseanes.  During his studies, Neves was principal conductor of the University BYU String Orchestras, assistant conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor of multiple recitals for new music, including three world premieres.  As conductor for the acclaimed BYU School of Music production of My Fair Lady, Neves was honored to be the only conductor in the West to receive the “Meritorious Achievement Award” from the American College Theater Festival. 

Outside of the university, Dr. Neves has conducted the Sanpete Community Orchestra, Pleasant Grove Symphony and Orchestra, Orchestra of Southern Utah, multiple community religious choirs, and the world premiere of “Essay for Freedom” for 24 trumpets at America’s Freedom Festival.  He also enjoyed working side-by-side noted conducting teachers Harold Farberman, Daniel Lewis, and Larry Rachleff at the Bakersfield Conducting Workshop in California and the Bard Conductor’s Institute in New York.  His commitment to education is evident in his work as guest clinician and adjudicator at the Southern Utah Orchestra Festival, instructor of intermediate orchestral conducting at Brigham Young University, band conductor of fifth and sixth graders at two elementary schools, and private instructor of trumpet and trombone.  Dr. Neves is currently the orchestra director at Cedar High School and Cedar Middle School, assistant conductor of the Orchestra of Southern Utah, and adjunct jazz band director at Southern Utah University.  He resides in Cedar City with his wonderful wife, Lara, and three cute daughters, Bria, Chloe, and Sophia.

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