Percussion Industry Veteran Educator - Performer - Innovator Fort Collins
As a Performer
....A graduate of Millikin University and the Armed Forces School of Music, Ward currently performs with Denver’s Hot Tomatoes Jazz Orchestra, the Dean Bushnell Orchestra, Ft. Collin's Colorado Swing Big Band and is the leader of his own MountainSong Jazz Project. Among many others, Ward’s performance credits also include Denver pianists Gary Dempsey and Doug Roche, singer Carol Lawrence, LA's Satin Dollz, band leaders Bob Crosby, Ray Eberly, Les Elgart and Ray McKinley, entertainer Sheri Lewis, and Al Pierson (the Guy Lombardo Orchestra).
Ward is associated with Mapex Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Innovative Percussion mallets and drumsticks.
As an Educator
.....Credentials include past Instructor of Percussion at Colorado Christian University: Percussion Instructor and Arranger for the University of Northern Colorado's "Pride of the Rockies" marching band; Director of Admissions and Director of Percussion Studies at the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and Percussion Instructor and Arranger at Marian Catholic HS in Chicago Heights IL. His awards include 11 BOA/MBA National Championships with 3 different organizations. Ward is currently the Percussion Program Director at Mountain View High School in Loveland Colorado.
As an Innovator
.... In December of 2000, Ward was the first percussionist to be inducted into the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame in recognition of his pioneering efforts in the development of the WGI indoor competitive percussion activity. He served as both Percussion Coordinator and Chief Judge for WGI and still contributes to the activity as a consultant and member of the WGI Percussion administrative team.