Mallory Thompson is director of bands emeritus at Northwestern University. 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 made five recordings with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble on the Summit Records label, which are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.
Thompson led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in performances at the College Band Directors National Association national conventions in 2001 and 2017, and has earned praise from many composers, including John Adams, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Morten Lauridsen, David Maslanka, Jonathan Newman, Carter Pann, Joel Puckett, Kevin Puts and Adam Schoenberg. She continues to serve as artistic director of the Northshore Concert Band.
Thompson received a 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 the 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 a conductor and clinician at the College Band Directors National Association regional and national conventions, the Midwest Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, many state music conventions, the Aspen Music Festival and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
In addition to conducting all-state ensembles throughout the United States, she has had professional engagements as guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band, the United States Ar Band “Pershing’s Own,” the United States Army Field Band, the United States Coast Guard Band, the United States Navy Band, the West Point Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Monarch Brass Ensemble, Banda Sinfonica in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Banda Municipal de Barcelona. In 2019, she 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.
Thompson is especially proud of her 58 graduate conducting students and the hundreds of outstanding Symphonic Wind Ensemble members with whom she has had the joy of making music at Northwestern.
Fall 2025
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
