Steve Peterson named Concord’s next Director of Music
Steve Peterson, a longtime music educator at Concord Community Schools, has been chosen to serve as the next Director of Music.
Peterson was announced as the next Director of Music for Concord Community Schools following a unanimous vote of the Concord School Board on Tuesday, February 20. He will assume his new role on July 1, 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Peterson to this new role as he continues to contribute to the rich legacy of our Music Department,” said Superintendent Dan Funston. “With an impressive 25 years of dedicated service, Mr. Peterson has been an invaluable member of our team. His transition from associate director to director is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our school district and this community.”
Peterson will replace Scott Spradling who recently announced plans to retire in June after serving in the role of Director of Music for 13 years, with a combined 36 years of service to Concord Community Schools. Under Spradling's leadership, the music department has flourished, witnessing remarkable growth in student engagement, community collaboration, and overall excellence.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the next Director of Music,” Peterson said. “Having been involved with Concord Music since the 1980s as a student, I know the rich music tradition and high standards Concord has. I am eager to work with students, staff and community members to help our students thrive in the fine arts.”
Peterson has served in the music department at Concord for 25 years, most recently as the Assistant Band Director, a position he has held since 1999. Prior to joining Concord, he taught at Harlan County Schools (KY) for four years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from DePaul University.
In his role as Director of Music, Peterson will oversee a staff of 21 music educators and support staff from Kindergarten through Grade 12, who serve Concord’s student musicians.
“Concord is extremely fortunate to have excellent music educators throughout the district. We thank Mr. Peterson for his leadership, knowing that he will excel in his new role and bring forward his wealth of experience and passion to further elevate the excellence of our music department,” Funston said.
Peterson and his wife, Kathy, live in Elkhart. They have two children, Adam and Jacob, who both graduated from Concord High School. His hobbies include playing gospel piano, co-hosting a weekly educational podcast entitled “Chops,” rooting for Kentucky basketball, and taking walks with Kathy and their dog Oliver.