Alexander Safford was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Montana State University and a Master of Music degree in music composition from the University of Arizona. He has served as a guest conductor in New York State for regional honor orchestras at the elementary and secondary levels. As a composer, Mr. Safford has been commissioned to write music for string orchestra, concert band, children’s chorus and chamber ensembles. He is the winner of the 2002 Texas Orchestra Director’s Association Composition Competition, and the winner of the 2012 American String Teacher’s Association Merle J. Isaac Composition Competition. Mr. Safford currently lives with his wife and children in Western New York, where he is the director of orchestras at Orchard Park High School.