Dr. Kenton W. Bales

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b. February 21, 1952; Nevada, Missouri
Now living in Omaha, Nebraska

The music of Kenton Bales has been commissioned and premiered by a wide variety of professional artists and ensembles. His music is influenced by themes from the Western Classical tradition and from Native American music and the music and spirit of the Great Plains and the Ozarks, where he grew up.

Bales has twice been named the Nebraska Composer of the year, and has won composition awards from the Music Teachers National Association, the Society of Composers, Incorporated, the American Composers Forum, and the Nebraska Arts Council. He is active in teaching composition, and has been named recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is co-chair of Region VI of the Society for Composers, Inc., and Composition Chair for the Music Teachers National Association Student Composition Competition. Bales is a Fellow of the Center for Great Plains Studies and a member of the Native American Studies Faculty of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he is Professor of Music.

Bales's music is diverse and his catalog encompasses works for orchestra, wind ensemble, chorus, chamber groups, and solo instruments. Many of the works were commissioned by various artists including members of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, the Clarion Chorale, and others. His music has been performed by a wide variety of soloists and groups throughout the United States and Europe, and is published by Southern Music Company and by Alliance Music Publishers, Incorporated.