Vance Larsen

 

Professor of Music

During his 40 years at Snow College, Vance Larsen has served as Director of the Horne School of Music, and Founding Dean of the Division of Fine Arts, Communications, and New Media. During his tenure in these leadership positions, the music program at the college has experienced significant growth in both enrollment and quality. Dr. Larsen also served as Director of Bands at Snow for 25 years. His ensembles have been recognized by multiple performances at College Band Director’s National Association, and other state and regional events. Larsen has served as Executive Director of the Juilliard Jazz Workshop at Snow College, and was co-founder and Executive Producer of the Benny Golson Jazz Festival. He was a driving force in conceiving, and writing the curriculum for Snow’s Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial degree. He currently directs the Snow College Commercial Music Ensemble program. Dr. Larsen also has considerable experience in the public schools, where he taught for several years, and was named UMEA “Rookie of the Year.” Larsen also had a distinguished career as a field artillery officer in the Army National Guard, culminating in an assignment as a field artillery battalion commander, where he presided over two successful active duty deployments. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 26 years of service. He is a recipient of the US military’s Legion of Merit award, the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award for Innovation in Higher Education, The UMEA Superior Accomplishment in Music Education, and Music Educator of the Year Awards, The Caleb Chapman Soundhouse Ray Smith Music Educator Award, and the Jesse Madsen Brady Teaching Award. Mr. Larsen holds degrees from Snow College, Utah State University, Brigham Young University and a PhD from the University of Utah. He and his wife Lorna are the parents of four children and grandparents of seven. They enjoy travel and Scuba diving.