Ceon Rumphs

Ceon D. Rumphs currently serves as Instructor of Music at Lawrence University, where he is the conductor of the Wind Ensemble and teaches coursework in conducting and orchestration. A native of Texas, Dr. Rumphs began his career as a middle school and high school band director in Fort Worth, where bands under his instruction and leadership earned multiple Superior and Excellent ratings at contest. Dr. Rumphs is a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, TX and Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, where his principal conducting teachers were J. Eric Wilson and Kevin L. Sedatole, respectively.

Dr. Rumphs has amassed experience conducting ensembles at all levels. In addition to his middle school, high school, and university teaching experience, he curated concerts with the Musique 21 New Music Ensemble at Michigan State, and has written drill for the Spartan Marching Band. He has made guest conducting appearances with the Spartan Youth Wind Symphony in East Lansing, MI and the Central Texas Youth Wind Ensemble in Waco, TX. Additionally, he has appeared as a guest adjudicator and conductor at contests, concerts, and masterclasses for public schools in Michigan and Texas. Dr. Rumphs was also selected as only one of three conductors to participate in the 2022 Young Composer and Conductor Mentor Project, where he conducted the world premiere of Henry Dickson’s Witching Hour with The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Rumphs has conducted research into the music of John Herbert Foulds, and his transcription of Foulds’ work recently received a world premiere in the Spring of 2024. Additional research interests include the pedagogy and practice of conducting and the creation of new wind ensemble transcriptions. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association. Beyond his studies in music, Dr. Rumphs loves to spend quality time with family and friends, enjoys traveling, and is an avid “car geek.”