Two Conductors to Join Mānoa’s Music Faculty

In Bands, Department News, Faculty News by General Entries

The University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, Music Department proudly announces the selection of two professors to join the music faculty this coming fall. Gabriel Arnold and Joseph Stepec were announced this week as the newest members of this world-class faculty of musicians, composers, and scholars.


joseph-stepec-2016Joseph Stepec will become the director of orchestras and lead UH’s beloved symphony orchestra starting in August. “I am delighted to be joining the University of Hawai‘i’s musical family and am looking forward to working with its talented students and faculty,” wrote Stepec after accepting the position. “During my visit, I was impressed by the university’s commitment to musical diversity and excellence. I hope to continue these aims in the orchestral program, a valuable musical asset of the state’s musical community.” Dr. Miguel Felipe, director of choral activities and a frequent collaborator with the orchestra, added, “I’m so happy to welcome Joe into our ‘ohana. He brings so much to our programs and I can’t wait for our students to meet him!”

Stepec has worked with the Rochester Philharmonic and has served as assistant to the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia and the Indiana University Philharmonic. In 2011, he was chosen as music director of the Euclid Symphony Orchestra and oversaw successful collaborations with the Lakeshore Ballet and various soloists throughout his tenure. As a violinist, Mr. Stepec has participated in festivals in Maine, Texas, Vermont and North Carolina. He has performed recitals in Cleveland, Nashville, Cincinnati, and abroad in Slovenia. In addition, he studied with Michael Jinbo at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and has been pursuing doctoral studies at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. For more information, see his full biography.


gabriel-arnoldGabriel Arnold will become the associate director of bands and marching band director next season. When selected for the position, Arnold shared, “it is an honor to be a part of the Rainbow Warrior family.” Aware of the band’s prominent position in Hawai‘i’s musical—and athletic—culture, Arnold brings to Mānoa years of experience working with marching bands. Director of bands Dr. Jeffrey Boeckman gladly welcomes Gabriel into the conducting faculty: “Mr. Arnold will be a strong asset in sharing Mānoa’s vast musical talents with the state.” After accepting the prestigious position, Arnold told the selection committee, “I am excited about joining the UH Music family, and greatly looking forward to working with the Rainbow Warrior Marching Band.”

Arnold received his Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from Florida State University. Before his undergraduate studies, Mr. Arnold served four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he played tuba with the Quantico (Virginia) and Okinawa Marine bands. In Georgia he served as director of bands at Pebblebrook High School, Osborne High School, and assistant director of bands at Southwest Dekalb High School. Arnold is in his final year of the Ph.D. at Florida State University, studying music education with an emphasis in instrumental conducting. For more information, see his full biography.


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