Wayne Gorder joined the faculty of Kent State University in the fall of 1987. He previously held faculty positions at Millikin University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Western Washington University and for five years taught in the public schools of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. On three occasions in Washington his Wind Ensemble or Orchestra performed featured concerts for the All-Northwest Convention of the Music Educators National Conference. At Kent State, his duties include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and teaching undergraduate and graduate level conducting. His Kent groups have appeared at major conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the Ohio Music Educators Association, as well as throughout Ohio and the eastern United States on tours of high schools and colleges. His conducting graduates currently hold positions as Directors of Bands or professors of instrumental music education at colleges, universities, and high schools throughout the United States and Canada.
Gorder holds the bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and master's and doctorate in music education from the University of Illinois. He has conducted, performed, adjudicated, and offered clinics and workshops in twenty-eight states and five provinces of Canada. His awards from music organizations include the "Citation of Excellence" from the National Band Association and he is listed in numerous "Who's Who" references. Recent personal appearances have included clinics and adjudications for the Illinois "Super-State Band Contest", and in Chicago, Minneapolis, Vancouver B.C., Toronto and Saskatoon. He has appeared as guest conductor at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and at international conventions of the International Trumpet Guild and the International Trombone Association. He has conducted the New Mexico All-State Concert Band in Albuquerque, the Nebraska All-State Collegiate Wind Ensemble, and the Washington Music Educators’ Association All-State Wind Ensemble.
Gorder is a published composer and author whose work has appeared in publications such as BandWorld, BDGuide, and the Journal of Research in Music Education. His book length Sound Training: Chorales of J.S. Bach with Supplementary Instructional Materials is published by Ludwig Music Inc.. His edition of Carl Nielsen's previously unpublished Paraphrase on "Nearer My God, To Thee" is also published by Ludwig Music and was recorded on the Chandos label. Gorder served on the civilian panel which chose Lowell Graham as the conductor of the United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C. and has served as Ohio Chair of the College Band Directors’ National Association and as President of the Mid-America Conference Band Directors’ Association.