Maestro Gary Caldwell has been conductor of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. He is in his thirtieth year as Director of Bands at Dixie State College, where he conducts the wind ensemble and theater orchestra. During his career he has worked with many professional artists and guest soloists, performing some of the world’s greatest music literature.

For a number of years, Caldwell has conducted the orchestra at the Tuacahn Center’s “Broadway in the Desert.” He is known for his versatility in conducting in a variety of genre, and his orchestras always receive high accolades. Maestro Caldwell’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Music Education from Brigham Young University (1979) and a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Northern Arizona University (1986). He has studied with private conducting coaches including Kory Katseanes (Utah Symphony), Dr. Ralston Pitts (NAU), Dr. Ralph Laycock (BYU) and Dr. Newell Dayley (BYU).

As a trumpet player, Caldwell is indebted to these excellent teachers and musicians: Dr. Newell Dayley (BYU), Ed Gornik (Utah Symphony), Alan Ware (free-lance recording artist), Tom Gause (UNLV) and Charles Way (NAU). Other highly-influential musicians with whom Mr. Caldwell has worked include Tom Leslie, Director of Bands at UNLV, and Allen Vizzutti, free-lance trumpet virtuoso.

As an educator, Mr. Caldwell is involved in the development of music in the St. George public schools by lending his expertise as clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor. He has adjudicated in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada at region and state levels. His guest conducting appearances include junior and senior high honor bands, community college bands, and a special appointment to conduct a hand-picked orchestra and chorus for a tour of Japan. Gary Caldwell maintains a studio of private students.