About

Connor Dunford (b. 2006) is a saxophonist and composer studying Music Education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 2025, Connor graduated from Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, Virginia, where he served as a drum major and performed in various ensembles. As one of the youngest published composers of band and orchestral music, Connor intends to offer a fresh musical voice that is engaging for musicians and audiences alike. Many of his compositions, which are published by Wingert-Jones Publications, have appeared on the BandWorld Top 100 List and are JW Pepper Editors’ Choice Selections. Additionally, his pieces have been performed in new music reading sessions at major state and university conferences across the country. 

As a saxophonist, Connor has received several honors in saxophone performance, including performances with the Virginia All-State Symphonic Band in 2024 and 2025, as well as performances in various other district and area honor bands. At James Madison University, he performs with the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, and the Marching Royal Dukes. His saxophone instructors have included Dr. Sheldon Johnson (Radford University), Wayne Tice (West Point Band), and David Pope (James Madison University). Professional affiliations as a composer and educator include the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). After college, Connor plans to continue to compose and arrange music, along with beginning his career as a public school music educator.