Dr. Stephen L. Rhodes, professor of music at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, directs the University Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and String Ensemble. He teaches courses in conducting, secondary music education, instrumental methods, instrumentation, and History of Jazz. He received the D.A. degree in instrumental conducting and the M.M. degree in brass performance from the University of Northern Colorado. He received the B.M.Ed. degree from Abilene Christian University. Prior to coming to Lipscomb Dr. Rhodes taught in the Friona and Abilene public schools in Texas.

Dr. Rhodes's publications include the articles "William Schuman: Chester Overture for Band", "Programming for bands with limited instrumentation", and "Shades of silence". Dr. Rhodes' book, "A History of the Wind Band", is available online. He is founder and director of the Nashville Wind Ensemble, a group of select musicians who perform band literature of high quality.  He also serves as co-conductor of the Nashville Double Reed Ensemble.  Dr. Rhodes has served as guest adjudicator/conductor for numerous ensembles from the elementary to the university level, as well as serving as judge and clinician for a variety of music festivals. He is a regular conductor for the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts.