Duane Warfield serves as Associate Professor of Music, Director of Bands in the Edith Lester Harbin Department of Music at Shorter University, where he conducts the Shorter Marching Hawks, Shorter Pep Band, Shorter Symphonic Winds, and the Shorter Jazz Band. He teaches instrumental conducting, instrumental music methods, marching band pedagogy, and low brass applied lessons.
Prior to his appointment at Shorter, Dr. Warfield taught at Starkville Academy in Starkville, MS and led the orchestra at First Baptist Church in Starkville as the Director of Instrumental Ministries. Under his leadership, the band department at Starkville Academy and the orchestra at FBC Starkville expanded and became respected programs. Dr. Warfield has taught bands in Illinois, Iowa, and Mississippi.
A native of Illinois, Dr. Warfield received his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education and his Master of Arts in Music Education degree at The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. While at The University of Iowa, he studied wind band conducting with Dr. Myron Welch and Dr. Richard Mark Heidel. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he designed drill for the Hawkeye Marching Band, served as co-director of the Iowa Pep Band, guest conducted the Iowa Concert Band and University Band, taught conducting courses, and supervised student teachers. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.
Dr. Warfield is a member of several professional organizations including Pi Kappa Lambda and the National Band Association. During his residence in Mississippi, he was a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Band Division where he held the position of President for the 2015-2016 school year.
Dr. Warfield lives in Rome with his wife, Tara, their son, Eli and dog, Ruby.