Headshot of Steven Barton

Steven Barton

Conductor, University Wind Ensemble
  • Profile

    Steven Barton is a native of Western Pennsylvania, graduating from Butler Senior High School in 1972.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and a Master of Music degree in percussion performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. 

    Steven Barton began his public school teaching career in Iroquois, South Dakota, where he taught band and chorus for three years and Webster, South Dakota where he taught band for two years. After earning his Master’s degree, he was Director of Bands for two years at Garner Senior High School in North Carolina. He then returned to Virginia in 1986, spending fifteen years as Director of Bands at Manchester High School, four years at Lloyd C. Bird High School and Salem Church Middle School, and eleven years at Thomas Dale High School. He has taught Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Percussion, Music Theory, String Orchestra, Guitar, and Piano.  He also taught Jazz Band and Jazz Improvisation. His ensembles at Manchester High School and Thomas Dale High School were highly regarded and earned may awards and accolades. In 2017 he was inducted into the Manchester Lancer Band Hall of Fame. 

    Steven Barton has composed several pieces for concert band, jazz band, and orchestra, several of which are published. Cradlesong (1994) and For The New Day Arisen (1997) published by Barnhouse; Twilight Shadows (1999), featuring the euphonium, was commissioned and premiered by the Michigan State University Bands in honor of the 100th birthday of director emeritus Leonard Falcone; Hill Country Flourishes (2001) written for the Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas; Welcome to Holland and Kingsfold, both published by C. Alan Publications as well as others. For The New Day Arisen, Cradlesong, and Hill Country Flourishes are included in the acclaimed series Teaching Music Through Performance In Band. Most recently, he has published A Festive Fanfare, Sagittarian Dances, and Ebenezer Variants through Knightwind Publishing. 

    Steven Barton retired at the end of the 2015-2016 school year after 37 years. He currently lives in Midlothian, Virginia with his wife, Pamela, and his two children, Paul and Michael. His golf handicap has improved dramatically ever since.