Ray Ostwald received his Batchelor of Music Degree in instrumental music education and violin performance, as well as his Batchelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. He earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he taught undergraduate music education and studied conducting with David Becker. Ray currently directs the Cadet, Concert and Symphony Orchestras at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. Previously, he directed the Elgin High School Orchestras in School District U-46, where he also taught elementary strings in the Bartlett area of that district, while conducting the West Suburban Youth Sinfonia and the Elgin Area Youth String Orchestra.

Ray has served on the faculties of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan and the University of Wisconsin Summer Music Clinic. He has made numerous conducting and clinician appearances throughout the Midwest, including the Elgin Civic Orchestra, the Madison Civic Orchestra, the Judson College Wind Ensemble, the Lawrence University Low Brass Ensemble and numerous regional and festival orchestras. Other appearances including conducting the Educador National Symphony Orchestra of Quito in 1996 and conducting at the Western Jamaica International Band Festival. A member of the American String Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda, Ray is active as a violinist and violist in chamber music and orchestral performance, has presented lectures at several conferences, as has published a number of arrangements, editions and original compositions.

Orchestra Program:
Syphony No. 5, MVT II........................................................................................Ludwig Van Beethoven
                                                                                                                                              arr. Michael Hopkin
Simple Symphony...............................................................................................................Benjamen Britten
                                II. Playful Pizzacato
                                III. Sentimental Saraband
Blues for Oaktown...................................................................................................................Darol Anger

Choral Program: