Not many children grow up with dreams of being an orchestra conductor. In that respect, Leonard Atherton has not been an exception. For 21 years, he has been the rule when it comes to conducting at Ball State University.
Atherton did not aspire to be a great conductor, but one high school teacher changed his dreams.
Atherton got an early start with music. His father, a church musician, introduced him to church music early. By the time he was five, Atherton was in the church choir full time.
"We sang great music and I thought that's what everyone did," the 61-year-old said. "I thought originally that my direction would take me into church music."
Atherton, who was born in England, followed this direction until his last two years of high school, when a "remarkable music teacher" gave him his first baton. Atherton said he didn't know at the time where it would lead.
"I finally realized it was possible to reach more people with big music than with church music," Atherton said.
Atherton's baton has led him all across the globe, conducting in Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and England. He came to Ball State 21 years ago, and his run will end Sunday evening with a free performance with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra.
Atherton also directs the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting classes. Rachel Yoder, a senior who has worked with Atherton for three years, said he is a hands-on teacher.
"He does seem to be interested in each student and he notices things and he'll talk to you in the hallways," Yoder said. "He is a real friendly guy to have as a teacher."
Atherton says he will miss that interaction with the students, but will miss the students' development the most.
"I will miss seeing students take advantage of the program that we've built," he said. "To see not only the ensemble develop, but see the students get a good grip on the music."
Atherton says he has seen that development countless times, but he remembers one in particular. He says he recalls a student who started learning an instrument with the Youth Symphony Orchestra and advanced to the Muncie and Ball State Symphony orchestras.
That student currently has an assistantship at Julliard School of Music.
Atherton will still be teaching next year, but he will also travel. He will conduct in Japan this November and tour South Korea soon afterward. He said he will not forget his time at Ball State, though.
"I have many people with whom I have worked to thank," he said. "My name is up there as a director, but I have had a lot of support from people for the orchestras in the community and in the college."
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