.jpg)
Music Director Dr. Charles P. Conrad
Charles P. Conrad is the founder and music director of the IWS since its inception in 1997.
An Indianapolis native and current Carmel resident, Dr. Conrad has committed his educational and performance career to the study and performance of music in Indiana. He graduated from Arlington High School and attended the Indiana University School of Music, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance, studying with legendary trumpet professor William Adam. He earned the first Master’s degree in Conducting ever granted by Butler University and a Doctorate in Conducting from Ball State University, where his dissertation about Hoosier composer and conductor Fred Jewell was named Distinguished Dissertation by the BSU Alumni Association.
In addition to bringing music to the Hoosier state, Dr. Conrad has conducted ensembles in many other states and countries including Scotland, England, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, Poland, Holland, France, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. A respected musicologist and author, he has presented lectures at music history and performance conferences in the United States, Germany, Slovakia, Italy, Austria and Luxemburg.
Dr. Conrad served for twenty years as choir director for John Knox Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN. He currently maintains a large private trumpet studio, and is a faculty artist, adjudicator and conductor for the National Trumpet Competition. He contributed a number of articles for the new edition of Groves Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians – American Edition, and served as the historical musical consultant for the 20th Century Fox film Water for Elephants, released in 2011. Additionally he is working on a major book on the history of American circus music.
Dr. Conrad enjoys collecting antique brass instruments and historic band photos. He is married to Carmel, Indiana High School Choir Director and soprano Ann Conrad. They are the proud parents of Gracie, a two-year old terrier mix whose favorite hobby is attending outdoor IWS concerts.