Douglas Droste is Director of Orchestral Studies at Oklahoma State University and Music Director/Conductor of the Oklahoma Youth Symphony. Before coming to OSU, he served on the faculties of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee; Liberty Union-Thurston School District in Baltimore, Ohio; and conducted the Paducah (KY) Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Mr. Droste has guest conducted the Tulsa Signature Symphony and Amarillo Virtuosi, in addition to numerous youth orchestras. He studied conducting with Gary Lewis and violin with Michael Davis and John Gilbert. Additional studies include the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestral Conductors with Michael Jinbo, Oregon Bach Festival Conducting Master Class with Helmuth Rilling, as well as conducting seminars sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League and Conductors Guild. Mr. Droste has received degrees from The Ohio State University and Texas Tech University.

On violin, Mr. Droste has performed with the orchestras of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Nashville, Memphis, Lubbock, and with the Lancaster (OH) Festival Orchestra and Disney's All-American College Orchestra. He is also proficient on viola, trumpet, and has sung in a variety of choral ensembles.