Former director of bands Ralph Ford remembered

Ford, who retired in 2011, served a decade as Director of Bands and professor of music in what is now the John M. Long School of Music, beginning his affiliation with the university in 1980 as a freshman student.

The next year he became director of Jazz Ensemble I, a position he would hold for the next 15 years, and became staff arranger for the Sound of the South Band during his senior year. After his graduation, he was appointed to the music faculty as staff arranger and assistant director by his mentor Dr. Johnny Long. He earned a master’s degree from TROY in 1988.

“Unfortunately, we have lost another great musician and accomplished “leader of the band”! Ralph Ford walked in the footprints of Troy University legends Dr Johnny Long and Robert W. Smith as he directed the famous “Sound of the South” marching band,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

“He and Professor Smith also collaborated to produce Troy: A Beacon To The World, the alma mater for Troy University. Ralph shall forever hold a special place in our hearts,” he said.

Current Director of Bands Dr. Mark Walker called Ford mentor and friend.

“We are heartbroken over Ralph’s death. He was a friend and mentor; he loved Troy University and he gave his entire professional and personal life to our university,” Walker said.

In addition to his 29 years of teaching at TROY, Ford was an accomplished composer, arranger, conductor and clinician and enjoyed a wide variety of professional experiences in music, media and broadcast. Exclusive composer and arranger for the Belwin Division of Alfred Music in Los Angeles, he has more than 250 titles available worldwide for orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble and marching band.

“He was an incredibly talented composer-arranger and was often an exceptional teacher with a great sense of humor and a lot of humility,” said Doc Kirby, a journalism instructor, trumpet player and SOTS alumnus. “He certainly was the bridge between Dr. Long and Dr. Smith.”

A frequently commissioned composer, Ford’s music has been premiered and performed by university, military, professional, community and school ensembles worldwide and he received international and regional advertising awards for his jingles and 3-D animation. His work in media includes live radio broadcasts, host, voice-over for television, commercials and video productions, conducting live musical productions, recording sessions and producing recordings. He also composed and recorded news music packages for national networks affiliates and programs for television, radio and internet. In 1999, he began his career as an exclusive composer/arranger from Warner Brothers Publications, a relationship that he proudly continues today with Alfred Publications.

His professional affiliations included the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and he holds honorary memberships in Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu, Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota. He was selected by Rotary International to serve as a Rotary Fellow to Namibia and South Africa. In March 2009, he was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.