Bill Stiehl, Director Emeritus 

Founder of the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, William Stiehl conducted and acted as the band's Music Director for its first fifteen years.  At its inception, the band was one of the only two registered symphonic bands in the nation. The band was well known in the TriState area and played to large audiences through the 1970's and early 80's.

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Over the years, Mr. Stiehl taught composition, applied music, and ensemble at the Miami University Summer Music Institute, and also conducted the symphonic band there.  He conducted numerous concert bands and evaluated many music departments throughout the state. In addition, he frequently judged the Junior Miss and Miss America Scholarship Programs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama.  A few highlights of his career were twice conducting the 2,000-piece mass band performance at Miami University, being listed in Marquis Who’s Who in Education in the United States, and playing in numerous area musical groups.  Most memorable was nurturing enthusiastic, music –loving students and many superior musicians during his musical and administrative career.

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Mr. Stiehl received his Bachelor of Science and Masters in Education from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio.  He served as Coordinator of Music, Art and Physical Education for the Middletown City School District until his retirement.

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In 1983, Mr Stiehl stepped down as director of the SOSB, but remained a fixture in the audience at the band's performances.  In 2008, the band debuted "Slidin' Stiehl," a furiously fast circus march composed by former band member and