Our Conductors

Mallory Thompson is emeritus director of bands, professor of music, and coordinator of the conducting program at Northwestern University, where she held the John W. Beattie Chair of Music. In 2003, she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. During her tenure, as only the third person in the university’s history to hold the director of bands position, Thompson conducted the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, taught undergraduate and graduate conducting, and administered all aspects of the band program. She recorded five albums with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble for Summit Records, including landmark recordings of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 4 and Carter Pann’s symphony for winds, “My Brother’s Brain.” Thompson led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in performances at the College Band Directors National Association conventions in 2001 and 2017 and has earned praise from today’s leading composers including John Adams, Michael Colgrass, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Joel Puckett, Kevin Puts, and Adam Schoenberg.

Thompson received her Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger.

Maintaining an active schedule as a guest conductor, conducting teacher, and guest lecturer throughout the United States and Canada, Thompson has had the privilege of teaching conducting to thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and professional educators. She has served as conductor or clinician at numerous regional and national conventions, including College Band Directors National Association conventions, the Midwest Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, state music conferences, and the Aspen Music Festival. She has had professional engagements as guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band, United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” United States Army Field Band, United States Coast Guard Band, United States Navy Band, West Point Band, Dallas Winds, Monarch Brass Ensemble, and Banda Sinfônica in Sao Pãulo, Brazil.

In 2019, Dr. Thompson was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Midwest Clinic in recognition of her service to music education and continuing influence on the development and improvement of bands and orchestras worldwide. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association.

Dr. Thompson is especially proud of her 58 graduate conducting students and the hundreds of Symphonic Wind Ensemble members with whom she has had the joy of making music at Northwestern. She treasures her relationship with the Wildcat Marching Band and is honored to preserve and grow Northwestern’s legacy.

Daniel J. Farris is Director of Athletic Bands at Northwestern University, where he is responsible for conducting the Wildcat Marching Band and Concert Band and teaches courses in conducting and music education. He has been the Assistant Conductor of Northshore Concert Band since 2006. Mr. Farris holds degrees from James Madison University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Prior to coming to Northwestern, Mr. Farris served as Assistant Director of Bands at Illinois State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was also the Director of the Walt Disney World Collegiate All-Star Band in Orlando, Florida, and taught in the public schools of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Bands under his direction have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bands of America Regional and National Championships, the Dublin, Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and numerous bowl games.

Mr. Farris has been an active clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout the United States and Canada. He is a member of the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi, and serves as a faculty advisor of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Iota Chapter.