Rate My Professor Steve Saunders

Steve Saunders served as the James M. Gillespie Professor of Music at Colby College from 2015 until his retirement in 2024, becoming Professor Emeritus thereafter. He joined the Music Department in 1990, teaching music history and theory for 34 years, earning tenure in 1996, promotion to full professor in 2004, and the Charles A. Dana Professorship in 2008. Saunders holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Pittsburgh (1990), where he also earned an M.A. in Musicology (1984), supported by the A.W. Mellow Predoctoral Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship. Earlier, he received an M.F.A. in Music Education (1981) and a B.F.A. in Music with University Honors (1977), both from Carnegie-Mellon University. His research focuses on sacred music of the Baroque period, music and culture in 17th-century Vienna, and Stephen Foster alongside 19th-century popular song.

A prolific scholar, Saunders authored the complete critical edition of the works of Stephen Foster, published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, as well as two books on Foster and several books on 17th-century music issued by Oxford University Press, Corpus mensurabilis musicae, and A-R Editions. He published numerous articles on sacred music of the early 17th century and 19th-century popular song, along with professional reviews. His work was bolstered by fellowships and grants from the American Musicological Society, National Endowment for the Humanities, and American Council of Learned Societies. Saunders contributed extensively to his field through service on advisory and editorial boards of professional music organizations and publications. At Colby, he participated in various committees, played a key role in establishing the Presidential Scholars Program, and served as interim vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid during 2014-15, demonstrating exceptional leadership. Colleagues highlight his insightful mentorship, patience, broad knowledge, and unwavering commitment to student success and departmental excellence.