Barbara Favorito is the Associate Provost for General Studies and Academic Support and a Professor of Music at La Sierra University. She was conductor of the University Wind Ensemble and Director of Wind and Percussion Studies from 1990 to 2005. Favorito has previously held a number of conducting posts, including those of Artistic Director/Conductor of the Riverside Master Chorale (1991-2001), the Southern California Young Artists Symphony (1991-1997), and the Colorado Concert Chorale, and Director of Bands at Andrews University. She has served as a guest conductor of wind ensembles, bands, orchestras, and choirs in over thirty states.

Raised in Wyoming, Favorito began her music study in the Wyoming public school system. Although she wanted to study trumpet, her mother objected, feeling it was not an appropriate instrument for a girl. Fortunately, at that time one of the finalists in the Miss America Contest played the Carnival of Venice on the trumpet as part of her presentation. Barbara had found her argument: "If Miss America can play . . . ."

By the end of her high school freshman year she had become a valuable player in band and was beginning to have problems with Sabbath observance. Her parents became concerned and sent her to Campion Academy that fall. At that time, CA had a strong music program with Archie Devitt in band and Merrit Schumann in choir. Both men became an inspiration to her and, by the time of her graduation, she had decided to become a music teacher.

Favorito completed a degree in music education at Union College in 1967, with Melvin Hill as her major professor. Upon graduation she accepted a position as music teacher at Minneapolis Junior Academy. Late that fall, however, she was seriously injured in a car accident that prevented her from continuing to teach. She returned to teaching in the fall of 1968, accepting the band position at Mile High Academy in Denver, Colorado. The following summer she married and stopped teaching music. She resumed teaching in 1973, teaching history and English in the junior high program at MHA for the next five years. During her stay in Denver she founded the Colorado Concert Chorale and conducted it for eight years.

In 1978, Favorito accepted a position at Fresno Adventist Academy in California. Although her assignment was to teach history, English, and "music as needed," by Christmas the choir and band program had grown so quickly that she was teaching music full-time. In 1981, she accepted the band position at Orangewood Academy.

The following year Andrews University invited her to join the faculty, where she was responsible for the band program and music education classes. While at AU, she began graduate music study at Indiana University, completing all requirements for a M.Mus. Ed. and an M.Mus. in conducting, the latter being awarded with highest distinction in 1986. A year later she took a leave to continue study at the University of Miami and completed a DMA in conducting at UM in 1990.

Favorito has studied and worked with noted conductors Robert Shaw, Sir David Willcocks, Hilmuth Rilling, and Erich Leinsdorf. While at UM she received full scholarships in music performance and graduated with highest distinction. She is a recipient of numerous academic and professional awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism from the Educational Press Association of America (1994), Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA (1991, 1998), and Outstanding Women of La Sierra University (1998).

Her ensembles have traveled widely in the United States and Europe. Most recently, her LSU Wind Ensemble was one of seven ensembles, bands, and orchestras nationwide invited to perform at the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association 2004 national convention.

Favorito has written a number of articles for professional journals, including six for The Instrumentalist, three of which were lead articles. A charter member of International Adventist Musicians Association, she served as chair of the Adventist Instrumental and Band subdivision from 1985 until 1992, when the subdivision structure in IAMA ended. She is a member of numerous professional associations and was elected a member of Pi Kappa Lambda at IU (1986) and UM (1990). Favorito is listed in several Who's Who publications.

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