Dr. Thomas E. Caneva was appointed Director of Bands/Associate Professor of Music at Ball State University in 2006. At Ball State, Dr. Caneva’s responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, coordinating the graduate wind conducting program, teaching undergraduate conducting and administering the entire band program. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Previous to his appointment at Ball State, Dr. Caneva served on the faculties of the University of Illinois, University of Colorado, Auburn University, and the University of Texas. His teaching career began at Lincoln-Way Community High School in New Lenox, Illinois. In addition to university and public school teaching experience, Dr. Caneva has served as a conductor of community bands and has held the positions of Artistic Director and Conductor of the Boulder (CO) Concert Band and Principal Guest Conductor of the Denver Concert Band. Under his direction, the Boulder Concert Band performed at the 1998 Colorado Music Educator’s Association Convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada, Dr. Caneva has presented lectures/clinics at College Band Director National Association Regional and National Conventions, Music Educator’s National Association State Conventions and at the CBDNA Conducting Symposium. Dr. Caneva guest conducted at the CBDNA National Conference in Boulder, Colorado and at the 7th World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensembles International Convention in Hamamatsu, Japan in 1995. Additional conducting appearances have included university, public school and community bands and wind ensembles at district, regional and all-state events.

In 2001, Dr. Caneva was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association. Additionally, he has held offices in the College Band Director’s National Association, the National Band Association, the Big 12 Band Director’s Association, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Music Educator’s Association. Other honorary and professional affiliations include Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lamba, Phi Mu Alpha (honorary) and Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary).