Conductor Douglas Droste is recognized as possessing "obvious joy" for making music and a "sure sense of timing" when on the podium. Those under his baton routinely applaud him for his in-depth musical interpretations, keen sense of communication, and his personable ability to empower musicians. Droste is currently Director of Orchestral Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Oklahoma State University and serves as Principal Guest Conductor with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

As Director of Orchestral Studies, Droste conducts the OSU Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, opera and musical theatre productions. During his tenure, Droste has been lauded for his performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky's Symphonies No. 4 and 5, Sibelius' Symphony No. 2, and the world premiere of Igor Karaca's Symphony No. 3. Droste and the voice faculty established the opera studies program where he continues to provide integral support and musical expertise in the training of young musicians. He has directed performances of Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Mozart's Bastien and Bastienna and Le nozze di Figaro, Puccini's Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, Menotti's The Medium, and the full premier of Jeremy Beck's Review.

His responsibilities as Principal Guest Conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic include conducting a variety of Philharmonic concerts as well productions with the Oklahoma City Ballet. Recent ballet performances include the full premier of Lanny Meyers' Legends of Sleepy Hollow, Adolphe Adam's classic ballet, Giselle, and Leo Delibes' Coppelia. Droste has also served as guest conductor for the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Festival Ballet productions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Demonstrating his versatility, Droste has conducted pops concerts with artists such as Ben Folds, The Flaming Lips, Pink Martini, Michael Cavanaugh, John Pizzarelli, Christian Howes, and Cherish the Ladies.

Droste is frequently sought for special projects as a result of his unique musical background and skills. He recently guest conducted the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra for their "Great Music, Great Spaces, Great Images" performance series at the historic Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa. He has also guest conducted the Amarillo Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra on an all-Bach concert, performing as violin/leader on Brandenburg Concerto No. 1.

A dedicated advocate of youth orchestras and music education, Droste is the founder and principal conductor of the OSU String Academy Chamber Orchestra. This pre-college string preparatory program features some of the most talented students from Oklahoma. He regularly conducts all-state and regional orchestras as well as other youth orchestras throughout the country. Droste is also active as a clinician and adjudicator for school orchestras and festivals. Believing that outreach is an important tool for the promotion of music education, Droste recently established a Young People's Concert series with the OSU Orchestra. The group performs in area schools and tours throughout the state.

A talented violinist, Droste has performed with the orchestras of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Nashville, Memphis, Lubbock, and the Lancaster Festival (OH). He is a former student of John Gilbert and the late Michael Davis. Droste is also skilled on viola, trumpet, and has sung with a variety of choral ensembles.

Droste was previously music director/conductor of the Oklahoma Youth Symphony and Paducah Symphony Youth Orchestra (KY). Prior to his appointment at Oklahoma State University, he held faculty positions at Austin Peay State University (TN) and Liberty Union-Thurston School District (OH). Droste studied conducting at the Pierre Monteux School, Oregon Bach Festival with Helmuth Rilling, as well as conducting seminars sponsored by the League of American Orchestras and Conductors Guild. His primary conducting mentors include Gary Lewis, Larry Rachleff, Michael Jinbo, David Lockington, Jose-Luis Novo, and Joel Levine. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Texas Tech University.