About Onsby...

Dr. Onsby C. Rose is currently the Director of Instrumental Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Dordt University. In this position, he conducts the premiere instrumental ensemble, the Dordt University Wind Symphony, in addition to conducting the Dordt Campus-Community Band, Chamber Orchestra and guiding all aspects of the Dordt Instrumental Ensembles and Instrumental Music Education programs. Dr. Rose also served as the is General Manager & Executive Director of the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and now serves the organization as NISO’s Principal Conductor.

Prior to Dr. Rose’s arrival in northwest Iowa, he attended the University of South Carolina as a music education major and in 1997 he was accepted as a trombonist for the U.S. Marine Corps fleet bands. During his 11-year Marine Corps career he served as a trombonist and conductor with bands in Albany, GA and New Orleans, LA as well as on staff at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA. He also served for two years as a baritone bugler with “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps in Washington, D.C.