Dr. John Clinton, Conductor - Oklahoma Youth Orchestra
Dr. John E. Clinton, conductor of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra since January 1992, is Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. For 27 years, he held the position of Director of Fine Arts for Norman Public Schools
A native of Ada, Oklahoma, Clinton conducted the award winning Norman High School Orchestra for 20 years. Thanks to his leadership, the Norman Public Schools now have one of the premier fine arts programs in the state. A graduate of East Central Oklahoma University, Clinton earned a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma. In 1991 he completed a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of North Texas, studying string pedagogy and conducting with Anshel Brusilow.
Dr. Clinton has conducted the All-State and Regional orchestras in Arkansas and Nebraska, high school orchestras at the Music Educators National Conference, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan. He has also directed All-State and All-District orchestras in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. From 1985-89, he served as Associate Conductor of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra.
Dr. Clinton has received numerous professional honors, including the 1994 University of Oklahoma School of Music Distinguished Alumni Fellow, Oklahoma String Teacher of the Year for 1995, 1996 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Music Education, the Interscholastic Music Association’s Outstanding Music Educator, and induction into the 2012 Educators' Hall of Fame East Central University.
