Daniel L. Peterson

B.F.A., University of South Dakota; M.M.E., Drake University

Dan L. Peterson is the director of university bands at Truman State University, and has been the conductor of the Wind Symphony since its inception in 1978. Peterson holds degrees from the University of South Dakota and Drake University. Prior to his appointment at Truman, Peterson taught in Iowa public schools for 13 years.


Under Peterson's leadership, the Wind Symphony had gained national recognition through performances at the National MENC Conference in 1981, and the National CBDNA Conference in 1985, and 1989, and regional conferences in 1994 and 2000. The Wind Symphony has also appeared on numerous occasions for the Missouri Music Educators Conference and for the Iowa Bandmasters Convention. The Midwest Conductors Symposium is held each March on the Truman campus with the Wind Symphony serving as the conducting ensemble for guest conductors from around the country, as well as area high school directors.


Peterson has served as a guest conductor and clinician for honor bands and festivals around the Midwest. He also is in great demand as a drill designer and show consultant for marching bands throughout the Midwest and West. He has presented clinics on college campuses nationwide and for numerous state bandmasters meetings. He has coauthored the book Championship Drill Design. Peterson is a former consultant/clinician for the Pyware Charting Aid Drill Writing System and a clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America.