William Scott Ball

1950 -

W. Scott Ball was Dean of the School of Music and professor of music at Southern Adventist University between 2000 and 2017, where he continues to teach on a part-time basis. He previously served as chair of the music department and director of the Honors Program at Atlantic Union College, where he taught for ten years, from 1990 to 2000.

A native of Washington, D.C., Ball received a B.Mus. in Performance (double bass) from Arizona State University, and then continued his studies with Roger Scott, then Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He received his M.A. in music history and an M.Div. from Andrews University in 1980 and 1983, respectively.  In 1993 he recieved his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, where he taught prior to joining the faculty at AUC.

A musicologist with research interests in late 19^th and 20^th century English and American music, Ball has taught courses in Western music history and theory, world music, American music, and interdisciplinary humanities classes. He was recipient of the Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1996 and elected "Professor of the Year" by the AUC Student Association in May 2000.

In addition to his work as a scholar, administrator, and teacher, Ball has enjoyed  an eclectic performing career as  a double bassist and electric bassist. He was a member of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and later toured extensively in the United States and Europe as electric bassist with Nils Lofgren, and is featured on a number of recordings.

He still stays active as a bassist, playing with the Southern Adventist University Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and in various groups in the Chattanooga area.

ds/sb/2013, 2020

Sources: Atlantic Union College and Southern Adventist University website biographies; profile from "They're the Best," Atlantic Union Gleaner, March 1998, 7; emails from Scott Ball, May 24, 2018 and May 26, 2020; personal knowledge