Kirk D. Moss, Ph.D.

Kirk D. Moss, Ph.D., serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Friends University, a Christian university of Quaker heritage in Wichita, Kansas, founded in 1898. As the university’s chief academic officer, he leads the academic enterprise, supporting Friends University’s mission to educate students for God-honoring service through undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs that emphasize academic excellence, faith, and leadership development.

A dedicated leader, Dr. Moss has built a career focused on academic excellence, mission-centered leadership, and responsible stewardship, most recently serving as Vice Provost for Faculty & Academic Programs at University of Northwestern – St. Paul.

Throughout his career, he has served as a vice provost, dean, department chair, and faculty member, with previous appointments at Lawrence University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Valdosta State University, and as a public-school orchestra director.

Dr. Moss earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Florida as a doctoral fellow, a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a graduate teaching assistant, and a Bachelor of Music degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan. He has held national leadership positions, including serving as president of the American String Teachers Association, and has maintained an active record of scholarship, music publication, and professional service, including work with community boards.

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Clinic Offerings

Band & Orchestra Planning and Programming: Begin with the End in Mind

Design the instrumental music program for success with a cornerstone of master teaching, blueprint for organization and repertoire, and facilities and instruments as raw materials. Thrive in the role of architect and project manager to develop a model music program for students.

Creative Warm-Ups for Strings

Gain fresh warm-up ideas to improve intonation, rhythm, bowing, and improvisation in string orchestra or private studio settings. Use teaching tools to build community. Bring an instrument and play along!

Creativity is Contagious for Strings

Gain fresh ideas on developing creative musicianship within your string students through non-theory and theory-based creativity and improvisation exercises and routines aligned to the ASTA Curriculum. From Western to non-Western traditions to distinct styles like classical, jazz, Latin, and rock, practice sequential, creative, steps toward improvising and composing music. Experience ASTA's Creative Musicianship curriculum in action!

Expressive Conducting

Gesture rehab for busy students and teachers. Give thought to your conducting gestures, improve your baton technique, and hear the results on Monday morning.

Fun in Fundamentals for Strings

Keep students motivated through teaching exercises and rote activities that put "fun" in the fundamentals of string playing. Bring an instrument and have fun!

Involving School Band & Orchestra Parents: How to Have Help and Money

Involving band and orchestra parents yields positive results, both in the lives of our students, and in the quality of the program. Often, we simply need to ask!

Recruiting Instrumental Music Students

Why do instrumental music students join and stay in band and orchestra programs? Compare research findings, examine the three phases of recruiting and retention, analyze your situation and propose solutions. Get ready for more students!

Sound Innovations: A Comprehensive Curriculum

The most comprehensive method available; now with five levels each for concert band and string orchestra, three for guitar, one for percussion, and one for leadership.

String Pedagogy from Galamian, Dounis, Suzuki, and Rolland to You

Explore the pedagogical roots of your string teaching tree. Apply influences of the masters in your orchestra classroom.

Teaching Intonation Creatively for String Orchestra

Discover specific strategies to refine intonation in string orchestra or private studio settings. Participants will form a lab orchestra to experience innovative techniques and exercises within an expressive and musical context.