Ralph Ford (b. 1963) is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Troy University. A native of Panama City, Florida, he has served on the university faculty in numerous areas of expertise since 1986, working mainly as the assistant director, arranger and theory instructor. Since 2001, Mr. Ford has been the conductor of the Troy Symphony Band and Chamber Winds, Jazz Ensemble I, as well as the director of the nationally renowned “Sound of the South” Marching Band. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Southeastern United States High School and Middle School Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands, a member of the Board of Directors for the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors, director of the “Sound of the South” Summer Music Camp and Directors Clinic, chapter sponsor for the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, and is active on several university-wide committees. His compositions and arrangements for band have been commissioned and performed by middle school, high school and collegiate bands worldwide. His music has been premiered at such prestigious events as the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Convention, the American Bandmasters Convention, the Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Ford’s music is published exclusively by Belwin, a division of Alfred Publications (formerly Warner Brothers Publications) where he serves as staff composer/arranger with over 130 publications for concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and marching band currently available worldwide. In addition, he creates special arrangements and compositions for the Troy band program. He works consistently in the United States and Canada as a composer, arranger, conductor, clinician, technology consultant and adjudicator. In April, 2004, Mr. Ford received the Outstanding Artist Award from the Troy University Chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Outside of the field of education, Ralph has composed, recorded, and produced music, jingles and 3D graphic designs for radio, television, and video productions. He has won numerous “Addies” as well as recognition and awards from various agencies and international associations for his creative work in the media field.

Ralph is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Music Educators National Conference, the National Band Association, the Troy Rotary Club, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota and Delta Chi, among others. He is married to Amanda Ford, the band director at Charles Henderson High School and they reside in Troy with their daughters, Melanie and Abby.