Meet The

Directors

CONDUCTOR

Dr. Steven Ward

Dr. Steven Ward serves as the Music Director/Conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene. He is also a Professor of Music at Abilene Christian University, where he is the Director of Bands, conductor of the Wind Ensemble, coordinator of the chamber music program, and teaches courses in conducting. Previous to his appointment at ACU, he was Director of Bands at Hope College in Holland, MI, and the Music Director/Conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra in Kalamazoo, MI.

Dr. Ward holds a D.M.A. in Conducting from Michigan State University, a M.A. in Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a B.M. in Music Education from Abilene Christian University. Prior to his appointment at Hope College, Dr. Ward was the Music Director/Conductor of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra in La Grande, OR, and was Instructor of Music at Eastern Oregon University.

Molly Amlung

Molly Amlung is a 2009 graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she received her undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and Music History & Literature. An Ohio native, Mrs. Amlung has both taught and performed extensively throughout much of the U.S. and abroad on instruments ranging from trombone, euphonium, piano, and cello. Notable performance groups include The Milwaukee Philharmonic, The Ohio Light Opera, The Columbus Indiana Symphony, The Brass Band of Nashville, and Bone Therapy.
Molly is currently a member of Strings Unlimited in Abilene, TX, a quartet specializing in weddings and private events. She has enjoyed performing for area musicals, concerts, and church orchestras since moving to Abilene and has been a supplemental music instructor for AISD since 2015. Mrs. Amlung is also a 2018 ACU graduate where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a licensed occupational therapist contracted through the West Texas Rehabilitation Center for the Abilene Independent School System.