Band and music education professional development on-the-go! Listen to interviews, tips and techniques from some of the top educators in the band field.
Bill Jastrow discusses comprehensive musicianship, organizing a school district's music program, and the caring and "feeding" of the young percussionist.Special thanks to my friend and colleague Scott Barnas for taking the lead on this episode! Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, or download this episode and more wherever you find your favorite podcasts.FULL BIOSpanning 41 years, William Jastrow's teaching experience ranges from a community high school with an enrollment of 450 students, to Neuqua Valley H.S. with an enrollment exceeding 4,000, to the position of Music Education Coordinator for Indian Prairie School District 204, a unit district comprising 33 schools and 29,500 students. Teaching and conducting responsibilities at Neuqua Valley included concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching band, and the Klangfarben Percussion Ensembles. Jastrow holds degrees in music education from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. A frequent Illinois All-State and NAfME clinician, as well as a district and all-state festival conductor, Jastrow served the Illinois Music Education Association Board of Directors as Band Division President and State President. As an executive officer, Jastrow assumed a leading role in the development of a Leadership Conference for exemplary music educators, a Future Music Educators Symposium for high school students, and an All-State Percussion Ensemble. As past president, Jastrow was active in promoting a statewide survey on the status of music education, contributed to the planning of “Dream Out Loud”, a joint advocacy initiative with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Yamaha, and authored numerous articles on the vital role that music should play as part of a comprehensive education for all students. Over his career, Jastrow's bands have performed for the University of Illinois Superstate Festival, the NBA National Convention, the West Sussex International Youth Music Festival, and the Liberty, Outback, and Fiesta Bowl festivals and parades, as well as for international audiences in Canada, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and the People's Republic of China. During his tenure, Neuqua Valley H.S. was recognized as the Kennedy Center National School of Distinction in Fine Arts Education and was a multiple recipient of the Grammy Signature Gold and National Signature School Award. A 2011 inductee into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Bandmasters Hall of Fame, Jastrow is a recipient of the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award, Illinois State Board of Education "Those Who Excel" Recognition, ILMEA Distinguished Service Award, and NAfME Excellence in Teaching Music Award.
I sit down with Damien Crutcher to discuss what life looks like right now, what motivates him, how to recognize passion, working through difficult times, and leaving a legacy.Check out Mark Connor's interview with Damien to hear more about his upbringing and musical life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ONc8hju-Qhttps://www.markjconnor.com/eb-podcast/everything-band-episode-152-damien-crutcher Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, or download this episode and more wherever you find your favorite podcasts.FULL BIO: Damien Crutcher is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Cass Technical High School. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, and a Master's in Conducting from The University of Michigan. Damien studied horn with Bryan Kennedy and Doug Campbell and Conducting with H. Robert Reynolds.After graduating from The University of Michigan, Damien served as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Southfield-Lathrup High School. Under his direction, the Southfield-Lathrup ensembles, including the Lathrup Symphony Band have performed in San Francisco, Chicago, the Bahamas, the White House, and Carnegie Hall. Many of his students from Southfield Lathrup are currently professional musicians, music teachers, and artists across the country.He is currently the co-founder and CEO of Crescendo Detroit. Crescendo Detroit is a nonprofit whose mission is to transform the lives of school-age children, ages 5-18, in Detroit, by engaging kids in intense instrumental music, vocal music, and dance programs that promote artistic excellence and character building. It is the goal of Crescendo Detroit to create a neighborhood to college pipeline using the arts.Damien is a frequent guest conductor and clinician throughout Michigan and Ohio and also serves as the conductor of the Farmington Community Band and the DSO's Detroit Community Concert Band.Visit Crescendo Detroit's website at https://www.crescendodetroit.org/
Bobby Lambert talks about the hows and whys of student leadership, recommends some classic band pieces, and talks musical mentors.Head to Bobby and Jeff's Young's Podcast "That Band Life" at Apple Podcasts to hear more.For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.FULL BIO from www.wandobands.org: Bobby is Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Originally from Cherokee, North Carolina, Mr. Lambert attended Western Carolina University to obtain his Bachelors Degree in music education and then the University of Massachusetts to receive a graduate assistantship and a Masters of Music Degree in saxophone performance.From 2001 until 2013, Mr. Lambert was the assistant band director at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois where he enjoyed great success in both the marching and concert arena. The marching band was a consistent finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships and a repeat winner of the 2A National Championship. At the state level, the band continued its winning streak as the Class Champion for the State of Illinois Marching Band Championship begun in 1980. Under his direction, the Concert Band at Marian found great success in performance assessment: consistently receiving superior ratings and being named overall champion at The State of the Art Catholic Concert Band Festival, and class champion at The Illinois State University Concert Competition and The University of Illinois Superstate Concert Festival.In 2005, he founded the school-wide leadership program at Marian, designing the curriculum and coordinating its implementation to over 1200 students with over 50 faculty members. Drawn from the world of business, finance, and psychology, the Leadership Program curriculum gives every student practical experience with communication skills, group dynamics, and ethical leadership.Since 1997, Mr. Lambert has directed student leadership camps around the country. In 2013, Mr. Lambert headed the inaugural Bands of America Drum Major Institute at Ball State University as part of the BOA Summer Symposium. This contemporary camp brings the most experienced staff and the latest information to student leaders from across the country. Over 1000 high school students participate in various leadership programs with Mr. Lambert each summer.In addition to serving as consultant with several programs across the country, Mr. Lambert has worked with the All-American Marching Band sponsored by the U.S. Army and the Bands of America Tournament of Roses Marching Band. He has also served as guest conductor for honor bands in Virginia and Illinois.Mr. Lambert's professional affiliations include MENC and Phi Mu Alpha. He has been honored with an induction to the Marian Catholic Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2013 and voted a Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator in 2009. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife Alysia, who is a choral director and their daughters, Maria Katherine and Olivia Claire.
Bob Mecozzi, band director at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, IL, talks about the Getting Things Done system and how we can reduce stress by managing our tasks. For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
Dr. Joe Manfredo talks about his time with Dr. Begian, provides literature suggestions, and discusses his research and publications in the area of band history and the undergraduate conducting curriculum.For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.FULL BIOJoseph Manfredo is a retired Associate Professor of Music for the School of Music at Illinois State University. At ISU, Manfredo was the Coordinator of Music Education and taught undergraduate courses in instrumental music education. In addition, he was the coordinator of the student teaching program.Originally from the Chicago area, Manfredo received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University, where he studied clarinet with Dr. Earl Boyd and piano with Dr. Catherine Smith. His graduate studies included a Master of Arts Degree in Instrumental Conducting from EIU and a Doctorate of Music Education from the University of Illinois. During his doctoral residency, Manfredo was awarded the band conducting internship to study with the legendary Dr. Harry Begian. In addition, he also studied with Gary Smith and James Curnow.Professor Manfredo is in constant demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He has conducted various All-State Bands and Honor Bands throughout the United States and Canada. His collegiate bands have been selected to perform at national, regional, and state conferences. Since August 2011, he has been conductor of the Festival Band for the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival.Manfredo has presented lectures and clinics at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, national conferences for the National Association for Music Educators, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Biennual Colloquium, and the Conn-Selmer Institute. He has made presentations at state music conferences in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, and internationally in China, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, and Brazil.Manfredo has published journal articles in the Groves Dictionary of Music, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Band Research, Music Educators Journal, Journal of Music Teacher Education, The Instrumentalist, Illinois Music Educators Journal, and the Alta Musica series. In addition, he was asked to write The Conductor's Manual for the Essentials of Musicianship series published by Hal Leonard. He also serves as the chief editor of the MitteilungsBlatt, one of the publications for IGEB, the International Society for the Promotion and Investigation of Wind Music; and he is on the editorial board for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).Dr. Manfredo is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Midwest Clinic. He was the recipient of the 2015 Mary Hoffman Award for Teaching Excellence by the Illinois Music Education Association. Also, he was the 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award by the XI Chapter of Phi Beta Mu (International Bandmasters Fraternity).
Tim DeBoer (Joliet West High School Choral Director and AP Music Theory teacher, Joliet, IL) and Peter Lipari (Joliet Township District 204 Orchestra Director and conductor of the West Suburban Symphony) talk opera. Tune in for recommendations of full productions, selected highlights, and find out that knowing the story before you go in might just be the best way to experience an opera. To watch selected shows, visit The Metropolitan Opera House's website at https://www.metopera.org/, where nightly streams are offered.
Chris Gleason talks to me about educational purpose and autonomy during the quarantine, and how students can effectively practice (even if they don't have an instrument at home). I also highly recommend watching Chris's TedX talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CzFQ7Esi4 for even more insight into education, motivation, purpose, and autonomy. For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
Sebastian Martinez is the senior drum major of the Joliet Central High School Band. In this episode, Sebastian recommends some of his favorite Latin music.Links are provided below.Moncayo - Huapango (Alondra de la Parra, Orchestre de Paris) https://youtu.be/NbgAHpD4W_8El Cumbanchero - Windstars Ensemble https://youtu.be/qeqlhl9xQ2IArturo Márquez - Danzón No. 2 (Alondra de la Parra, L'Orchestre de Paris) https://youtu.be/pjZPHW0qVvoVisit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
Kirk Hickman, band director at Hinsdale South High School in Hinsdale, IL, and Eric Wellman, band director at Joliet West High School in Joliet, IL, provide some tips and resources on how percussionists can practice at home (and how percussionists are already used to this type of practice!).Some suggested links from the video/audio:Vic Firth: https://vicfirth.zildjian.com/education.html?sort=most-popularSound Trap: https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/George Stone Percussion Books: http://www.stonepercussionbooks.com/Row-loff Percussion: https://www.rowloff.com/Note: audio recording is ripped directly from the video and may vary in quality due to internet connections.
Alex Kaminsky from VanderCook College of Music talks about the importance of air in wind playing and demonstrates two count breathing. Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
We are hearing a lot from policymakers and pundits about the current situation but not a lot from our students. Joliet Central High School band seniors Yanni Ovalle and Alexus Maldonado talk about how they are dealing with the current global pandemic, how they manage their days, reflect on e-learning, and offer advice to underclassmen. Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
Steven Pyter and Jermaine Stegall discuss composing, recommended listening, and provide some advice on what you can do NOW to begin composing, creating, or arranging.Steven Pyter is a published composer of school band works from Joliet, IL. Jermaine Stegall is a film composer originally from Joliet, IL, now residing in LA. Don Stinson couldn't compose if his life depended on it, which is why he has friends like Steve and Jermaine.Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.
Dr. Charlie Menghini of Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends speaks with me about how and why we should put our dreams and ambitions into action. Listen to the Bandmasters Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or direct download at www.thebandmasters.com. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bandmasters-podcast/id923873966 Listen to Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends on Apple Podcasts and libsyn. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/band-talk-with-charlie-menghini-and-friends/id1502621847
I got to sit down with one of my favorite people - Roosevelt Griffin. On this episode, Roosevelt talks about growing up in and teaching in low-income areas, strategies for reaching and advocating for students in your programs, tips and techniques for jazz programs, and his path to starting a community center, the Griffin Institute.FULL BIO from www.rooseveltgriffin.com and www.thegriffininstitute.org:Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III is the director of bands for Harvey School District 152 where he and his students have received international acclaim for excellence in music education. He manages music programs over seven locations with more than 250 students. He is also the elementary jazz band director for the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic; an instructor with Blues Kids of America, an interdisciplinary artist-in-residence program that helps students improve literacy through music; and the President/CEO of the Griffin Institute of Performing Arts.Some of his most notable performances as an educator include performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy's Legends, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics, Jazz Education Network's International Conference, Auditorium Theater, ASCD International Conference, and the Chicago Jazz Showcase.Before becoming a full-time teacher, Dr. Griffin worked with some of the world's greatest musicians, including Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross, and Jimmy Heath. He is often invited to present at conferences and workshops for music education, including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics, The Jazz Institute of Chicago, The Jazz Educators Network, The Missouri Music Educators Association, Illinois Music Educators Association, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Northern Illinois University, Columbia College, and Prairie State College. He and his students have also been featured in Downbeat and JazzEd magazines for obtaining an endorsement with Jody Jazz Mouthpieces. He recently co-authored the latest addition to GIA Publications TMTP series, “Teaching Music Through Performance: Beginning Jazz Ensembles”.Dr. Griffin's work has brought him several prestigious honors. The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation have most recently named him a Quarter-Finalist for the 2017 “Grammy Award for Music Educator”. In 2015, Dr. Griffin received the 2015 Most Outstanding Alumni Award from the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association as well as a Jefferson Award for excellence in teaching from the District 205 Ambassadors of the Jefferson Award Foundation. In 2014, He received the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching from the Golden Apple Foundation. Later that same year, his hometown of Harvey, Illinois, honored him by renaming his childhood street “Roosevelt Griffin III Avenue”.Dr. Griffin earned a bachelor of music degree from NIU in 2001, master's degree in school leadership from Concordia University in 2011, Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University and currently holds the status of Scholar at Northwestern University.
Mark Iwinski talks about his career up to this point, how to be on the cutting edge of musical literature and technology, and how he worked through some stressful moments in teaching in order to gain a work-life balance while still maintaining a quality program.Mark has been a great friend for a long time, and it was enjoyable to sit down and learn more about him; my public “thanks” to him for the after-podcast discussion encouraging me to shift some items with work and family - much appreciation.FULL BIOMark D. Iwinski has been director of bands at Victor J. Andrew High School since 2010. He is the third director since the opening of Andrew High School in 1977. In addition to conducting three concert bands and percussion ensemble, his instructional roles include overseeing the Marching Thunderbolts, Pep Band, Jazz Ensembles, and conductor of the Pit Orchestra. Prior to his appointment at Andrew high school, Mr. Iwinski served as director of bands at Lincoln Middle School in Schiller Park, Illinois. Mr. Iwinski graduated from Illinois State University in 2007 where he earned his Bachelor's of Music Education degree, graduating on the Dean's List. Additional education includes a Masters of Music in Education degree at VanderCook College of Music, conferred in July of 2017.Ensembles under his direction have included high placement in class and grand championships with the marching band. The marching band is also well represented in Illinois State Finals in the past decade. This year, the marching band was undefeated in class competition and was the 5th place award winner out of 45 bands in the Illinois State Championships. The Andrew High School Wind Symphony has been a multi-year selectee to the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, a two-time champion and honor band at the Midwest Music Festival, and receives consistent Division I ratings at festivals. In addition, the ensemble has performed at the 2018 Illinois Music Education Conference as well as the 2017 and is honored to perform once again at the 2020 Music for All National Concert Band Festival.Mr. Iwinski has received four Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association and was a 2019 recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award. He serves as an adjudicator for various band festivals and solo/ensemble contests across the state of Illinois and has been a clinician to schools in the Chicago area. Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education and the National Band Association.
Dan Valkema and I sat down at his house to discuss his career as a band director at the high school and middle school level, changes and consistencies across the year, and how he “failed” retirement. FULL BIO Daniel Valkema recently retired following a 36-year career in music education in the State of Illinois. His career included teaching at Plainfield Central, Elk Grove, Lincoln-Way East, and Lockport Township High Schools. He holds degrees from Illinois State University and the University of Iowa. Bands under his direction have performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, the Midwest Clinic, the Illinois Music Education Conference, the State of Illinois Concert Band Contest (5A Champions) and the prestigious Illinois Superstate Band Festival (1999 Class AAA Honor Band). In addition, his bands have earned the Grand Championship Award at the Midwest Music Festival 3 times. Mr. Valkema has appeared as guest conductor with the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camp, Iowa All-State Music Camp, Wheaton Municipal Band, Freeport Concert Band, IMEA Jazz Bands, and Rushmore Music Camp. He has also been a staff member of the Illinois Ambassadors of Music for 5 European Concert Tours. Mr. Valkema was honored as an Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator, received an Illinois Math & Science Academy Award of Excellence, Plainfield District 202 Award of Excellence, and several Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association.
Happy end of the school year/pre-Midwest Clinic! Matt Bufis and I discuss his journey to Illinois, adapting a program to the current needs of students, repertoire selection, and work-life balance. Musical selections featured in this episode include March for the Sultan Abdul Madjid by Rossini and After the Thunderer by Hearshen. Both selections are performed by the Evanston Township High School Wind Symphony.FULL BIOMatthew P. Bufis joined the music faculty at Evanston Township High School in June of 2012 and was later named Director of Bands in June of 2016. Mr. Bufis leads the Wildkit Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Symphony, teaches Guitar classes, and is the instrumental sponsor for the YAMO pit orchestra – the musical accompaniment to a student written and directed theatre production at ETHS. Under his direction, the ETHS Wind Symphony has risen to new levels of distinction, with multiple invite performances at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and a 2018 Illinois Music Educators Conference performance, both of which are first-time honors for the program. The Wildkit Marching Band also continues an upward trajectory, with a seventy percent enrollment growth rate and steady progress in scores and placements at competitions over the last five seasons. Mr. Bufis is actively involved in activities that enhance learning at ETHS, serving on the Disciplinary Literacy, Teacher Evaluation, School Day (scheduling), and ETHS Foundation committees as well as maintaining his role as Lead Teacher for Fine Arts through which he organizes events, maintains the facility and equipment, plans professional development opportunities, and facilitates the music honors program.Prior to his appointment at ETHS, Mr. Bufis completed two successful tenures at Westmont High School in Illinois and Great Mills High School in Maryland, where he is responsible for leading both programs to distinction. Ensembles under his direction performed at the Maryland State High School Band Festival and the Illinois Superstate Band Festival many times. Mr. Bufis is responsible for pioneering artist-in-residency programs at each of his former posts, collaborating with guest performers and conductors – most notably Ronald Romm (The Canadian Brass), Thomas Jöstlein (St. Louis Symphony), and composer Eric Ewazen (Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra – wind ensemble transcription premiere 2006). The Great Mills Wind Ensemble also performed annually at the Maryland Day ceremony in historic St. Mary's City, including a performance attended by Governor Robert Ehrlich.A native of New Jersey, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York and a Master in Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently completing coursework for a Master in Principal Preparation at Concordia University in Chicago. Mr. Bufis studied conducting with Stephen G. Peterson, James F. Keene, Joseph Manfredo, and Donald Schleicher and has pursued additional training through conducting symposiums lead by Mallory Thompson, John Whitwell, Jamie Nix, H. Robert Reynolds, and Allan McMurray. He studied euphonium, his primary instrument, with David Unland, Mark Moore, and Kenneth Steinsultz.Mr. Bufis is an active guest lecturer on the topics of leadership and management, curriculum design, music teacher evaluation, music technology, and music education advocacy, presenting his work in these areas at state and national conferences and universities. He is also an active clinician and adjudicator, working with bands of all ages and ability levels. He has served as a leadership consultant for bands and sports teams on the East Coast and throughout the Midwest working with students, coaches, and teachers. Mr. Bufis has received many National Band Association Citations of Excellence in recognition of the Westmont and Evanston Township High School Band performances at the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and has been nominated for inclusion in various “Who's Who” publications since 2004. He is an active member of ILMEA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Bufis is an Eagle Scout of Troop 76 in Ringwood, New Jersey and garnered a varsity letter in collegiate men's swimming for his three years as an Ithaca College Bomber.
I hope everyone is enjoying their first days back to school! Please enjoy this episode with Alex Kaminsky, Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music. We talk about Alex's musical upbringing, transitioning to a college band, and repeating success.Music credit: special thanks to Harrison Collins for permission to use his composition O rose of May, premiered by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Symphony in 2018 under the director of Alex Kaminsky.FULL BIOAlexander Kaminsky was appointed Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at VanderCook College of Music in 2019 after a highly successful tenure at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. He holds degrees from the University of Florida and Indiana University, is active as an adjudicator, and is in demand as a guest conductor/clinician across the country. Throughout his 30-year career as a high school band director, Kaminsky's ensembles consistently earned Superior ratings at all levels of evaluation. In addition to earning Superior ratings at the FBA State Concert Band Assessment for an unprecedented 23 consecutive years (the last 13 of those years being with both his first and second bands), he is the only director in the history of the Florida Bandmasters Association to have had three concert bands from one school earn straight Superior ratings at State, and he achieved this three times (2009, 2018 and 2019).Kaminsky's bands have performed at the Midwest Clinic (2005, 2009, 2014, and 2018), ABA Convention (2014), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2004 and 2014), FMEA State Convention (2014), National Concert Band Festival (2002 and 2012), and the National Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall (2009 and 2018). In 2018, the Stoneman Douglas Wind Symphony was named a National Wind Band Honors winner as one of only ten 6A bands in the nation. His marching bands consistently placed in the Florida Marching Band State Championship Finals, winning consecutive FMBC State Championships (2013 and 2014, 2017 and 2018) as well as being named a finalist band at BOA regional competitions.Kaminsky has presented his clinic “How Can I Get My Band to Sound Like That” at various conferences and workshops, and his annual “How To Fix It” series at the FMEA Convention has been received to high acclaim, with over 900 attendees in 2019. He is a ten-time recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence and has been recognized with numerous achievement awards for education including Florida's 2019 FMEA Secondary Music Educator of the Year Award, FBA Oliver Hobbs Award, FBA Andrew J. Crew Award, National Honor Roll's Outstanding American Teacher, Nobel Educator of Distinction, Teacher of the Year, and is listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Kaminsky is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Directors' Association. He has served on numerous state and national committees, and currently serves on the ABA Sousa/Ostwald Award Committee and the ABA School Bands Task Force. He has been featured in several periodicals including The Instrumentalist, Teaching Music, School Band & Orchestra Magazine's “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” and Home Magazine's “12 Exceptional Educators.”
Matt Temple discusses the music program at New Trier High School, philosophies on competition in music, and comprehensive musicianship.FULL BIOMatt Temple was appointed Director of Bands at New Trier High School in 2007. He conducts the curricular Freshman Concert Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble, Varsity Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. His extracurricular groups include Pep Band, Solo/Ensemble, Pit Orchestra for the Fresh/Soph Musical, and Lagniappe, New Trier's student-written musical. In 2008, he wrote a comprehensive wind ensembles curriculum that guides student instruction throughout the program. Mr. Temple earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in conducting from Eastern Illinois University. He also completed an additional master's degree in educational leadership through Aurora University.Under Mr. Temple's direction, the New Trier Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed at the 2015 NBA Director's Workshop, 2012 Midwest Clinic, 2010 Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands, 2009 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and the 2008 and 2009 University of Illinois Superstate Festivals. In 2014, the New Trier band department received national recognition as an inaugural recipient of the "Blue Ribbon Award" for Programs of Excellence from the National Band Association. Prior to his appointment at New Trier, Mr. Temple served as the Fine Arts Chair at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, from 2000-2007, and as the music director at Flora High School from 1994-1998.Mr. Temple is a Contributing Editor for The Instrumentalist and completed a four-year term on the Advisory Committee for the Music Educator's Journal. He is currently serving his second term as a high school representative on the Board of Directors for the National Band Association. Mr. Temple is a co-founding member and President Elect of the Illinois committee for Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP). In 2015, Mr. Temple was recognized by his colleagues with the "Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award" presented by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. He is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the honorary society, Phi Beta Mu.Mr. Temple has presented multiple clinic sessions at the Indiana and Illinois State Music Conferences including, "Analyzing for Meaning," " Student-Centered Instruction in a Band Rehearsal," " Writing Innovative Curricula for Performance-Based Classes," and "The Impact of Music Selection on Student Learning." In December 2014, he presented a session at the Midwest Clinic, and he will present there again this year. Mr. Temple has also presented at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Illinois State University, and Ball State University. He frequently serves as a clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States.
Referred to as the “Band Pioneer,” A.R. McAllister would help to promote the high school band movement in the early 1900's.Part one of A.R. McAllister takes us through his early years up to the National High School Band contests in the 1930s.My sources for this episode included scholarly writings from Philip Hash, Illinois State University, and Jeffry L. Kluball, Jeff Kluball, Darton College. Additionally, information was taken from resources such as School Musician Magazine, the Joliet Herald News, the Joliet Spectator, The Joliet Township High School Band Alumni Association, and other documents housed at Joliet Township High School - Central Campus.FULL BIO from the Joliet Township High School Band Alumni Association:In 1913, A.R. McAllister, a manual arts instructor who played the cornet, was asked to organize a band for Joliet Township High School. Mr. McAllister, who grew up on a farm in Jackson Township, bought a cornet at age 14 with profits he earned from selling his pig at the Will County Fair. He studied music under James H. Ward, director of Ward's Boy Band in Joliet. Prior to directing the JT band, McAllister organized the Trinity Girl's Band in 1905 and performed with local ensembles, including the Dellwood Park Band and Joliet Steelworkers Industrial Band.Under Mr. McAllister's leadership, the band won state championships from 1924-26 and national championships from 1926-28. In their hometown, the band received permanent possession of the trophy in 1928 and was praised by John Philip Sousa (see photo below). The band was exempt to play at the 1929 contest in Denver, but performed as an exhibition group. In 1931, the band regained the national title.In 1936, McAllister lead his young musicians through a week of nine performances at Radio City Music Hall where the band performed an Easter show with the Rockettes, playing for a total of 160,000 people. The band played for draftees, and was known as "the minute men" because they were always ready - day or night to perform for soldiers traveling through Joliet.Mr. McAllister became a nationally recognized leader of the school band movement and was known as "the father of the high school band program." McAllister helped organize the National School Band Association in 1926. He was elected vice-president the same year before serving as president for 14 years. On Sept. 30, 1944, McAllister died at age 63.
Let's kick off summer with an interview with Dr. Rodney C. Dorsey, Director of Bands, Indiana University.Dr. Dorsey discusses his musical upbringing, building connections with students, competition in music, and warns us of the dangers of not ordering buses for our band.Special thanks to George Quinlan, Jr. for helping to set this interview up and for providing an interview space at Quinlan & Fabish in Burr Ridge, Illinois.FULL BIO from info.music.indiana.eduRodney Dorsey was previously director of bands and conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the University of Oregon. Prior to that, he was associate director of bands at the University of Michigan, where he conducted the Concert Band and the Michigan Youth Band and taught undergraduate conducting. He served previously on the faculties of DePaul and Northwestern universities, and gained extensive experience teaching in the public schools of Florida and Georgia. Dorsey studied conducting with James Croft, John P. Paynter, and Mallory Thompson. He was a clarinet student of Fred Ormand and Frank Kowalsky. Ensembles under Dorsey's direction have performed at several state and national events, including the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Regional Conference and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival. His numerous professional memberships include the CBDNA, National Association for Music Education, Midwest Clinic board of directors, and the American Bandmasters Association.
“With most people of my generation, and the generation that preceded me, we tend to be doom and gloom because everyone isn't doing it the way we did it . . . , no matter what people tell you, bands are better today than they've ever been.”James F. Keene took a break from conducting the ILMEA All-State Honors band at IMEC 2019 to sit down with R. Scott Barnas and I to talk about adapting music for ensembles, the role of a university director of bands, and commissioning new works. Professor Keene also speaks about his experience with international outreach and talks about identifying quality literature for bands.Special thanks to R. Scott Barnas for connecting all of us and for guest-hosting on this episode. Special thanks to the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) for helping to make this interview possible at the Illinois Music Education Conference.FULL BIOFrom music.illinois.edu:In 2008, Professor James F. Keene retired from the University of Illinois School of Music, where he held the titles of Director of Bands and Brownfield Distinguished Professor of Music. Appointed in 1985, he was only the fourth person to hold the Director of Bands position since 1905. During his 23-year tenure at Illinois, the UI Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, under his direction, were selected to perform for every major music conference in the U.S., have toured internationally and have performed in many of America's most prestigious concert halls, including New York's legendary Carnegie Hall and several performances in Chicago's Orchestra Hall. The Illinois Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band have produced one of the most extensive bodies of commercial band recordings. These recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio in the U.S., as well as radio programs in Asia, Australia, and several European countries.Mr. Keene is a Past-President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is a Past-President of the National Band Association, having previously served in several other NBA offices, and is a Past-President of The Big Ten Band Directors Association. For several years he served as chairman of the ABA/Ostwald Composition Contest, and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of The Journal of Band Research.In addition to membership in several professional and honorary societies, Mr. Keene is an Evans Scholar, Past-President of the Champaign Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. In 1993, Professor Keene was named as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his devotion to the music of Grainger and he also serves on the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the historic Goldman Memorial Band of New York City. Prior to his appointment at Illinois, Professor Keene taught at all levels, including building nationally recognized programs at East Texas State University (now Texas A and M-Commerce), and at The University of Arizona.In 2002, Professor Keene was named Honorary Life Member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, becoming only the sixth person to be so honored in the 55-year history of that organization. He is in constant demand as conductor, clinician and adjudicator and has appeared in those capacities in forty-four states and on five continents. In 2009, Professor Keene conducted in Australia, China and Europe, in addition to a busy schedule of appearances in the U. S.
Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds was gracious enough to sit down for an interview at our recent Illinois Music Education Association State Conference. Dr. Gustafson-Hinds speaks about how she handles working with students that might move in or out of her school, balancing a schedule that includes band, choir, winter guard, jazz, and a family, and her goals of doing “all the things.”Check out FloMarching's feature on O'Fallon Township during the band's recent BOA Grand National Championship Semi-Finals speech (which was filmed before they knew they would be performing in their first ever BOA Grand National Championship Finals later that night).Special thanks to Rachel Maxwell for connecting us and co-hosting this episode.FULL BIOFrom www.othsband.com:Melissa Gustafson-Hinds is originally from Monmouth, Illinois. Melissa attended Illinois State University, earning a Bachelor's in music education. While at ISU, she played oboe and English horn in the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, and Chamber Winds. In addition, Melissa was a drum major for the "Big Red Marching Machine" for five consecutive years.Melissa taught for four years for Unit 5 Schools in Normal, Illinois, where she instructed all levels of instrumental music. During this time, she earned her Masters in Music Education at the University of Illinois.Her next teaching position was at Belleville Township High School - West, where she instructed Chorus, Concert Band, Instrumental Music, and Marching Band.From 2001-2003, Melissa was the music director at Centralia High School, in Centralia, Illinois, where she instructed Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, The Marching Showcase, Centralia Winterguard, Flute Choir, Jazz Band, and Pep Band. In 2002, Melissa earned her Type 75-General Administrative Endorsement from SIUE.From 2003-2008, Melissa was the band director at Collinsville High School, instructing the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band and Flute Choir. Currently, Melissa is the band director at O'Fallon Township High School and is looking forward to many years of providing excellent music education to the band students of OTHS. In 2010, she earned her Doctorate in Teaching and Learning, emphasis in Music Education from the University of Missouri St. Louis. She is also helping to create the O'Fallon United Community Music School to provide music education to the 5th-8th grade students of O'Fallon District 90.
Happy Belated New Year! My colleague R. Scott Barnas and I had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Gary Smith at the Midwest Clinic. We also had the pleasure of having a “party-crasher” show up; Dr. Cody Birdwell from the University of Kentucky was a welcome surprise to this interview.Professor Smith talks about growing up in an arts family, his teaching career, favorite pieces of music, The System, and reflects on some of his highlights with the University of Illinois Bands. Dr. Birdwell reflects on teaching together with Professor Smith and how they worked together as colleagues to provide the best musical experiences for students.Special thanks to Washington Junior High and Joliet All-City Band director R. Scott Barnas for facilitating this meeting and interviewing our guests!FULL BIOSGary E. SmithFrom the University of Illinois Band Page: BA, Butler University; MA, Ball State UniversityFrom 1976 to 1998 and again in 2004, Gary was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign, where he conducted the nationally famous Marching Illini, Basketball Band, Symphonic Band II, and taught marching band procedures and band arranging in the School of Music.Previously he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, Director of Bands at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and Director of Bands at Northside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1988 Gary was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In addition, he is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi music honorary fraternities and participates in the College Band Director's National Association, National Band Association, and the Illinois Music Educators Association.Recent awards include the University of Illinois Alumni Association "Outstanding Educator", the Mary Hoffman “Outstanding Music Educator”, the "Spirit of the Illini" from the University of Illinois Athletic Association and the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal.Gary has served as a consultant, guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, Canada, Ireland and France. In addition, he is the coordinator of the pre-game, halftime and parade festivities for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) and assisted with the production of the 2005 Orange Bowl Halftime. In 2007, Gary served as co director of the Oklahoma Centennial All State Marching Band, which was be featured during the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade opening ceremonies. Presently he serves as the producer of the annual DISNEY THANKSGIVING PARADE OF BANDS held at Disney World in Orlando, FL. and head clinician for the 2011 Marching Band Directors and Drum Major Clinic in SingaporeSmith is former owner and director of the Smith Walbridge Clinics for drum majors, flags, rifles, marching percussion, marching band student leaders and directors. Since 1949, these clinics have attracted thousands of high school and college students from across the United States and several foreign countries.Several of his articles have been published in The Instrumentalist, The School Musician and the Band Director's Guide. This guide, The System, "Marching Band Methods," is used as a textbook in several University marching band courses and marching band clinics.Dr. John Cody BirdwellFrom the University of Kentucky Fine Arts Page:Dr. John Cody Birdwell is Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky, where his duties include conducting the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony, directing graduate programs in wind-band conducting, teaching graduate courses in instrumental conducting, history and literature, and supervising the administration of the University of Kentucky band program in the School of Music. Prior to his appointment at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Birdwell served as Director of Bands at Texas Tech University, Director of Bands at Utah State University, Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, and Director of Bands at Northern Michigan University.Dr. Birdwell's ensembles have toured extensively throughout the United States, China, and Great Britain, and the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony was recently selected to perform at the 2013 National Convention of the College Band Directors National Association. Ensembles under Dr. Birdwell's direction have also performed at numerous CBDNA national and division Conferences, and have also performed for the Kentucky Music Educator's Association, Texas Music Educators Convention, Texas Bandmaster's Association Convention, and the Utah Music Educators Association. In 2008 the UK Wind Symphony toured the People's Republic of China, and performed to capacity audiences in the cities of Suzhou, Yangzhou, Changzhou, and Beijing.Birdwell has collaborated with and premiered works by a variety of celebrated artists, conductors, and composers including Arturo Sandoval, Michael Colgrass, Luis Serrano Alarcon, Tim Reynish, Frederick Fennell, Dan Welcher, Donald Grantham, John Mackey, Anthony Barfield, Bob Mintzer, Mike Mower, and Adam Gorb. Several compact discs, including the University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble “Distilled in Kentucky – Premieres from the Bluegrass State”, and “GO! – The Music of Bob Mintzer”, along with the Texas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble “LIVE!" and “Diversions” have received acclaim from composers and conductors throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.Dr. Birdwell is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and holds degrees from The University of North Texas and West Texas A&M University.Dr. Birdwell serves as President-Elect President of the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division, and holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha. He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad.
Going out of town for Thanksgiving? Our interview with Robert Herrings would make for great listening on that long car ride. Robert has some fantastic advice about objectives in band, what new teachers should do when they don't know what to do, and programming for every kid in your ensemble.Mr. Herrings has hands down one of the most impressive bands I have heard. The intro and outro music is Robert's band performing Candide Suite: The Best of All Possible Worlds arranged by Clare Grundman and Grainger's Shepherd's Hey, respectively. You can also search Henry Middle School Band on Youtube for more impressive video and recordings from Robert Herrings and the Henry Middle School Band.Special thanks to Chip De Stefano for the connection and for co-hosting this interview.“The biggest shoes you have to fill are your own.”FULL BIORobert Tyrome Herrings, III is entering his fifteenth year of teaching and has been teaching at Henry Middle School in Leander ISD since 2004. Prior to coming to Leander ISD, he was the Director of Bands at Rockdale Junior High in Rockdale, Texas.In 2003, Mr. Herrings received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he studied under Michael Haithcock, Jeff Grogan, Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Barry Hopper. While in college, Mr. Herrings was a member of the Baylor University performing wind bands, as well as a member of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.At Henry Middle School, Mr. Herrings conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and beginning trombone class. He also teaches beginning flute and trumpet. Mr. Herrings' bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings, Best In Class, and Overall Outstanding Band honors at festivals around the state. In 2009-2014, the program at Henry earned distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner, and in 2008 and 2013, the Henry Middle School Honors Band was selected to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The program was named the 2010, 2014 and 2018 TMEA Class CCC Honor Band and was also selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2010, 2012, and 2016. In June 2011, Mr. Herrings and his program were awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and in July of the same year, Mr. Herrings was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. In 2013, the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Director's Association awarded the Artie Henry Middle School Band the Outstanding Band Program Award. The Percussion Ensemble at Henry Middle School was selected to perform at the 2014 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Most recently, the Henry Middle School Band Program was named the Texas Bandmasters Association's Exemplary Middle School Program of the Year for 2018.An active clinician and adjudicator around the state, Mr. Herrings is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Herrings also serves as the TMEA Region 32 Middle School Band Chair, as well as the Region 32 TBA representative. He is also a mentor to new-to-profession teachers at Henry Middle School.Mr. Herrings enjoys motivating young musicians to achieve the highest level of performance by sharing his extreme love and passion for music with them on a daily basis. He feels honored, privileged and extremely blessed to have a loving mother and grandmother, many great mentors, band directors and close friends who have influenced his career thus far.Above all, his students have been his greatest inspiration!
John Thomson made the drive to Joliet to talk about programming, commissioning new music, and comprehensive musicianship. Mr. Thomson goes into detail about his musical career including his assistantship with Mr. John Paynter and his time at East Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania and New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.
Bruce Pearson is the first composer I ever played, so this was a particular treat to interview him. Dr. Pearson outlines his career teaching at all levels, discusses learning theories, and speaks about his experience writing and publishing music, including the Best in Class, Standards of Excellence, and Tradition of Excellence Band Methods. Dr. Pearson was also gracious enough to be my first long distance guest over Skype - my special thanks to him for sitting down in this interview. Intro and outro music is Tapestry, composed by Bruce Pearson.FULL BIOBRUCE PEARSON is a world-renowned music educator, author, composer, and clinician. He is the author of the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method which has been regarded as the most important contribution to the band music field in the last three decades and for his first contribution, Best In Class. His new contribution, co-authored with Ryan Nowlin, the Tradition of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method, is a performance-centered curriculum that seamlessly blends time-tested and innovative pedagogy with cutting-edge technology. He also co-authored, with Dean Sorenson of the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method and the Standard of Excellence Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method.In addition to his method books, Dr. Pearson is well-known as a composer of many widely performed compositions for concert band and jazz ensemble. He has led clinics in all fifty of the United States and has been guest conductor and clinician, by invitation, of countries throughout the Pacific Rim, the Orient, Europe, and the Canadian provinces.Bruce Pearson has taught at the elementary, junior high, high school, and college levels for over thirty years. Twice nominated for the prestigious Excellence in Education Award, he was recognized as “most outstanding in the field of music” for the state of Minnesota. In December, 1998, Dr. Pearson, “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music education,” was awarded the prestigious Midwest International Clinic Band and Orchestra Conference Medal of Honor. In 2001, he was awarded St. Cloud State University's Distinguished Service To Music Award “in appreciation for lifelong contribution to music and music education”. In 2007, Dr. Pearson received St. Cloud State University's “Distinguished Alumni Award.” That same year he was recognized as the first Patron for the Maryborough Conference in Queensland, Australia. The American School Band Directors Association conferred on Dr. Pearson the 2014 Edwin Franko Goldman Award “as a symbol of high esteem and respect, and as a measure of appreciation and gratitude for outstanding personal contributions to the school band movement.” Additionally, Dr. Pearson has been recognized as a University of Northern Colorado “2017 Honored Alumni”.Dr. Pearson continues to serve as a guest lecturer, clinician, and conductor in addition to his work as a composer, arranger, and author. He and his wife Dee have been married for over fifty years, have three children and nine grandchildren.Visit Dr. Pearson's website at www.brucepearsonmusic.com.
Jim Stombres talks about his career, working on a team, changing a culture, and surrounding yourself with talented and hard-working people. Jim has taught almost all levels of band, and even though he's retired, he's still going. Jim is one of the most appreciative and thoughtful teachers that I've met. I hope this episode gets you charged up and inspired as we all move into the next school year!FULL BIOMr. Stombres is retired after more than 30 years as director of bands in three suburban Chicago high schools, finishing his career at St. Charles North High School, St. Charles, IL. He holds a diploma in sacred music from the Moody Bible Institute, a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, and Master of Music Education degree from Northwestern University. He is active in the Illinois Music Educators Association and the Illinois Chapter of International Association of Jazz Educators. Under Mr. Stombres' direction, the Naperville North Wind Ensemble performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival and received the DownBeat Award for Outstanding Wind Ensemble. 2018 marked Mr. Stombres 30th season with Birch Creek Music Performance Center.
Arris Golden shares her career path, speaks on middle school and college recruitment, and goes into detail on the process for commissioning works for school programs. Arris brings forth a wide variety of music education experience and stories. I had a blast sitting down with her, and hope to speak with her again soon!FULL BIOArris Golden is the assistant director of bands and associate director of the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University.Before joining the faculty at Michigan State University, Golden was a member of the conducting faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served as the assistant director of University Bands. In this position, she was the music director of the 265-member Marching Tar Heels, director of the Women's Basketball Pep Band, conductor of the Symphony Band, and guest conductor with the Wind Ensemble. She also taught courses in music education.Prior to her appointment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Golden was director of athletic bands at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina (2008-2009). While at Campbell, she oversaw the entire athletic band program, including the inaugural year of the “Sounds of the Sandhills” Football Pep Band and the Men's and Women's Basketball Pep Bands.In addition, Golden served eight years as the director of bands at Gravelly Hill Middle School in Efland, North Carolina. During her tenure, Golden conducted an internationally recognized middle school concert band that participated in featured performances at the North Carolina Music Educators Association annual conference, in Winston Salem, North Carolina (2010) and at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, in Chicago, Illinois (2012). The bands at Gravelly Hill also worked with numerous clinicians, including the premier of four commissioned works for band: “Kitsune: The Fox Spirits,” by Brian Balmages (2009), “The Machine Awakes” for young band and electronics by Steven Bryant (2012), “Freight Train,” by Pierre LaPlante (2013), and “The Cave Your Fear” by Michael Markowski (2014).Golden holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She recently completed the doctor of musical arts in wind conducting from Michigan State University as a 2014 recipient of a Michigan State University Distinguished Fellowship.
On this episode, I sit down with Wendy Higdon. Wendy Higdon is the Director of Bands and Unified Arts Department Chair at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, IN.Sitting down with Wendy was a fun conversation. Her experiences include opening up a brand new school as a band director and fine arts administrator, performing at the Midwest Clinic, in her spare time, running the website www.onandoffthepodium.com. Her site provides thoughts on teaching band and supplies free resources for music teachers of all levels. I especially enjoyed hearing about the Midwest Clinic music selection process and Wendy's perspective as an administrator.I hope you enjoy this episode! Wendy's experiences and expertise should be heard by music teachers of all levels.FULL BIOWendy Higdon is the Director of Bands and Unified Arts Department Chair at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, IN. She began her career as Director of Bands at Lebanon Middle School (IN) in 1991 and came to Carmel Clay Schools in 1999 where she taught band at Carmel Middle School until the opening of Creekside in 2004.Under her direction, the Creekside Wind Symphony was honored to perform at The Midwest Clinic in December 2013. The Creekside Wind Symphony has also been a featured performing ensemble at the Indiana Music Education Association Conference as well as serving as a rehearsal clinic band at the 2013 Midwest Clinic and at the 2015 Indiana Music Education Association Conference.Mrs. Higdon has served as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and guest speaker around the country. In 2013, she received the “Fifty Directors Who Make a Difference” Award from School Band and Orchestra Magazine. Her articles have appeared in The Instrumentalist magazine and Bandworld magazine, as well as being published by NAfME, D'Addario Education Collective, and SmartMusic, among others. She has been a frequent presenter at music education conferences including a 2016 presentation at The Midwest Clinic. In 2016 she was a featured conductor for the Music for All Summer Symposium's inaugural Middle School Concert Band Camp. She will be a keynote presenter at the Australian National Band and Orchestra Conference held in Brisbane in 2018.Mrs. Higdon earned her degree in music education from Ball State University Honors College, graduating summa cum laude. She also holds two masters degrees from Butler University, one in clarinet performance and the second in education administration.She is a member of Phi Beta Mu International, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, the National Association for Music Education, the Indiana Music Education Association and the Indiana Bandmasters Association.
I was excited this summer to sit down with Scott Casagrande, Director of Bands at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL. Scott has some fantastic sounding ensembles, and has been a great help to me when I've reached out with questions about literature selection and teaching techniques.On this episode, Scott discusses his musical upbringing, resources for selecting literature, and assessment in music. Scott also talks about the many resources we have as music teachers, including the National Band Association, which is a particular passion of his. You can find out more about the National Band Association by visiting their website at https://nationalbandassociation.org/. Their recommended music list is especially helpful, and as soon as I said goodbye to Scott after our recording, I started combing through it again in anticipation of next school year.I hope you enjoy and learn from this episode with Scott Casagrande!FULL BIO:Scott J. Casagrande has been Director of Bands at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL since 1999. He was previously Director of Bands at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, IL and Stephen Decatur High School in Decatur, IL. A native of Fairfax County, VA, Mr. Casagrande received his B.S. and M.S. in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.Ensembles under Mr. Casagrande's direction have been selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (concert and jazz), 19 of the last 20 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festivals (Honor Band three times) and four National Concert Band Festivals. His bands have been consistent winners in all marching and jazz contests including the Governor's Cup and Field Show Champion at the University of Illinois Marching Festival (45+ bands), Grand Champion at Jazz in the Meadows (90+ bands) and Honor Band at the Purdue Jazz Festival (90+ bands). In 2007, the John Hersey band program was awarded the prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. His ensembles have performed at the French Reeds Festival in the French Riviera, in the Chicago Jazz Festival, at Chicago's Jazz Showcase, at Orchestra Hall in the Chicago Symphony Center (three times) and at Carnegie Hall in NYC (two times). This winter the John Hersey Symphonic Band was selected to perform at the College Band Directors National Association North Central Division Conference.Mr. Casagrande has received 20 Citation of Excellence Awards from the National Band Association, and he has been recognized by Former President Barack Obama, the US Senate, the US House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, School District 214, Plainfield HS, Stephen Decatur HS, Illinois Chapter of Phi Beta Mu Band Fraternity (2016-2017 Bandmaster of the Year), Quinlan and Fabish Music and Bob Rogers Travel. Mr. Casagrande has the privilege of currently serving the National Band Association as President and has served the NBA as 2nd Vice-President, First Vice-President, High School Representative (twice) and as a member of the Revelli Composition Contest Committee. In 2004, he was one of three conductors in the United States chosen to participate in the NBA International Conducting Symposium in Rome, Italy, conducting the Italian National Army Band. He serves Music for All/Bands of America as a Music Education Consultant and he has served three terms as the Illinois Music Education Association District 7 Jazz Representative. Mr. Casagrande was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2009. He has been published in The Instrumentalist and the National Band Association Journal.Students in the John Hersey program are very active in IMEA All-District and All-State bands and most Hersey band graduates continue to perform in their college ensembles and beyond. Mr. Casagrande lives in Arlington Heights with his wife, Janice and daughters Mary and Julia.
I told a few people prior to publishing this episode that the next guest would be Dan Moore. The response was unanimous, but the inflection varied: "oh man, I gotta hear that guy."Dan Moore took a break from his recent retirement to come talk to me about his small-town beginnings, teaching techniques, advice on jazz band, and his thoughts on marching band. Dan's recent endeavors include a larger focus on publishing his method book, original compositions, and arrangements, clinician services, and writing music and drill for marching band (and no, he doesn't just write "Dan Moore" type shows!).You can find Dan's work by searching "Daniel Moore Music" on facebook, JW Pepper, and Sheet Music Plus.I hope you enjoy this episode!
Rachel Maxwell discusses her obsessive music selection process, why band is her hobby, and why band just might be the cool thing to do today.Check out Rachel's new site at www.thebandroomspage.com!
Chip and I spend some time on and off mic talking band, including history, teaching techniques, and goals. Chip is a band director's band director and has done some wonderful things for his students and the profession.
After a long hiatus, we're ready to get back into it. Steve and I visited the University of Illinois and sat down with Professor Barry Houser in the historic Harding Band building. Professor Houser talks about his journey to the Big Ten, going digital with the marching band, things that go "bump in the night" in the Harding Band building, and much more! BIO Barry L. Houser is the Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Marching Illini, and Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands where his responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band, the Athletic Bands, and the 375 member Marching Illini in addition to teaching marching band procedures. Professor Houser's teaching experience encompasses both extensive public school and university experiences. A native of Indiana, Professor Houser served as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Director at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, where his bands developed a reputation for great musicianship which in turn earned the program state and national recognition. Prior to his position at NorthWood, Houser served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. Bands under Houser have performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the ISSMA State Marching Finals, and the IMEA State Convention. Other performances include the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Target Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Outback Bowl Parade and Half-Time Show, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade, Chicago Bears Game, and performances with Maynard Ferguson, the Dallas Brass, Canadian Brass, Gregg Potter as well as many other talented artists. Houser holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, MENC, Golden Key National Honor Society, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi International Band Fraternity, Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has been honored by the Indiana General Assembly and the US House of Representatives. He is the recipient of the Indianapolis Star Academic All Star Award, the WNDU Channel 16 Excellence in Education Award, as well as being listed in various “Who's Who” publications throughout his career. Professor Houser is active nationally as a guest conductor and clinician in both the marching and concert mediums. He has served on the staff of the Macy's Great American Marching Band and the National Events Mass Band, which performs annually at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a contributing author to the popular marching band textbook The System by Gary Smith as well as numerous submissions to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series. Houser has served as Governor of the North Central District of Kappa Kappa Psi and currently serves as chapter advisor for the Nu Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi on our campus as well as Chapter Advisor for the Phi Mu Alpha Chapter. He is currently serving on the Athletic Band Board for the College Band Directors National Association and as the North Central Division Chair for the National Band Association. During the summer, Professor Houser is the Director and President of the renowned Smith Walbridge Clinics, one of the largest marching band | leadership camps of its type in the country with locations in Illinois and Florida, attracting over 1000 students each year. Professor Houser is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer.
TWO GUESTS this time around. Steve and I sit down with Ray Cramer, Indiana University, and Mike Fiske, Joliet Central High School, and realize that they're both better at hosting a show than we are. We had a great conversation with Professor Cramer and Mr. Fiske, covering everything from selecting good music, being a role model outside of just music, and even Mike's time as a graduate student under Professor Cramer. So much history and information, and so little time! We hope to have both of these great educators on again. Press play below, or subscribe on iTunes/Android devices - you won't want to miss episode 11.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Stephen Peterson at the SuperState 2016 band festival. Dr. Peterson holds the distinguished honor as the current Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, a program that many consider to be one of, if not the most important collegiate band programs based on its history, accomplishments, and directors. Dr. Peterson was very gracious with his time, and offered some insight on moving into a new program, setting up a band for success, and his opinions on quality band literature. Dr. Peterson's Bio: Dr. Stephen G. Peterson was appointed Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2015. As Director of Bands, he conducts the Wind Symphony, leads the graduate wind conducting program, teaches courses in wind literature, and guides all aspects of one of the nation's oldest, largest, and most storied band programs. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois he served as Director of Bands at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, for seventeen years. From 1988-1998 he served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Peterson was also conductor of the renowned Northshore Concert Band. He held positions as Associate and Interim Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and has several years of successful teaching experience in the public schools in Arizona. Peterson maintains a busy schedule as a conductor and clinician, and as such, has appeared on four continents and in forty-two states. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and has been honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster's Association. He is also member of Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He is immediate past president of the College Band Directors National Association. Dr. Peterson was the first to receive the Doctor of Music degree in wind conducting from Northwestern University and earned Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Arizona State University. In 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Ithaca College Faculty Excellence Award, recognizing his contributions to Ithaca College. His ensembles have appeared before national conventions of the American Bandmaster's Association, the College Band Director's National Association, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, the American School Band Director's Association, at Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and at Lincoln Center.
On this episode, we present a interview of Edwin Franko Goldman from the Goldman Band, and Bruce Houseknecht from the Joliet Township High School Band. This interview is used with permission from WJOL Radio Station in Crest Hill/Joliet, Illinois. Edwin Franko Goldman was one of the prominent band composers of the early 20th century. HIs credits include over 150 works for band and the founding of the Goldman Band of New York City and the American Bandmasters Association. Bruce Houseknecht was the director of the Joliet Township High School band from 1945 to 1969, and a professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, until his death in 1974. Mr. Houseknecht's ensembles received local and national acclaim, including five performances at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and a performance at the presidential inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Featured music: On the Mall March, by Edwin Franko Goldman (US Army Band Performance), and Salvation is Created, Tschesnokoff, arr. by Bruce Houseknecht (conducted by the arranger).
Featured music: Joyous Celebration, by Don Owens. Chunky Monkey, by Don Owens. Dan Moore and I were lucky have Dan's mentor, Don Owens (D.O.) come out and work our band in rehearsal. Of course, we couldn't let D.O. leave without sitting down and recording a podcast about his time in Texas and working at Evanston Township High School and Northwestern University in Illinois. Enjoy listening to some great band history and teaching tips for band directors everywhere. Don Owens, Coordinator Emeritus of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, Director Emeritus, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University, began his tenure at Beinen School of Music in 1979. Before coming to Northwestern, he taught for twelve years at Evanston (Illinois) Township High School where his duties included directing band, brass ensembles, and jazz band, as well as teaching classes in music theory, popular music, free improvisation, and composition. He created the Electronic Music Studio at ETHS in 1971. Owens received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he studied Composition and Jazz. His Master of Musical Arts degree is from the University of Illinois, where he majored in Composition. He studied composition with Morgan Powell, Merrill Ellis, Samuel Adler, and Salvatore Martirano. He has won several grants and awards, and is regularly commissioned for new works. In his first few years at Northwestern, Mr. Owens conducted the nationally renowned Jazz Ensemble, directed the "Wildcat” Marching Band and Symphonic Band, and taught advanced Method classes for undergraduate Music Education Majors. He eventually was appointed Coordinator of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, teaching courses in Jazz Writing, Seminar in Jazz Pedagogy, Jazz in the Public Schools, and conducted the Jazz Ensemble. Under his leadership, the Northwestern Jazz Program grew to offer the B.M. in Jazz Studies and the M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy. In addition to Owens' responsibilities in the Jazz area, he served as Director and Primary Conductor of the internationally acclaimed Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble for over 20 years. This group performed over 200 world premiers, as well as the standard 20th century repertory. In 1991, the Northwestern CME served as the primary chamber music ensemble for the John Cage Now World Festival. In the spring of 1995, the CME served as one of two visiting Artist Ensembles for the National Meeting of the Society of Composers at the University of Iowa. In 2002, the CME played a major role in the Stephan Wolpe Festival, sponsored by the School of Music. During the summers, Owens served as Director of the National High School Music Institute, from 1991 to 2004. Under his leadership, the enrollment increased by 100%. With a curriculum that required the attending students to declare a Major - Classical Guitar, Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Piano, Strings, Voice, or Winds and Percussion- NHSMI consistently attracted students from all 50 states, as well as many foreign countries.
Let's be honest; this is the episode 7 that we've all been truly waiting for. My guest co-host Daniel Moore and I sit down with Dr. James Lambrecht, director of bands and professor of trumpet at Augustana College in Rock Island. James M. Lambrecht is the director of bands and professor of trumpet at Augustana College, where he conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches studio trumpet, wind conducting, brass methods and in the music theory program. He also has conducted the Opera@Augustana Orchestra, and served as the conductor and music director of the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1994-1998. Before coming to Augustana in 1988, he was director of bands and assistant professor of music at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. Dr. Lambrecht is one of our unofficial "international guests" as well, serving as guest conductor for the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble in Tokyo Japan. Dr. Lambrecht talks about his journey through his career, his mentor Ray Cramer, and the similarities and differences of the US and Japanese performing ensembles. Featured music is Symphony No. 3, by James Barnes.
We had a lot of fun sitting down with Dr. Menghini, and as usual, we learned something. We know you'll all enjoy hearing Dr. Menghini talk about time management, his first years teaching, and his thoughts on education.
Under the leadership of Charles "Chip Staley, the Neuqua Valley High School music program has received seven Grammy Gold Awards for excellence in music, and is recognized as a 2013 and 2015 National Grammy Signature School, a Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National School of Distinction, and a Sudler Flag of Honor Recipient. Chip Staley was a great guest, and talked to us about selecting great literature and planning for a wind ensemble as opposed to a symphonic band. Chip is also an educational trailblazer, and tells us about the current and future state of education, and what we can all do to help. We open and close the episode with excerpts from the Neuqua Valley Wind Ensemble performance of Selections from Turandot from their 2009 Midwest Clinic performance under the direction of Mr. Staley. After the episode, check out artspeaks204.org.
Our interview with Ken Snoeck, Director Emeritus of Lake Park High School in Roselle, IL. Ken talks about his compositions, running a successful band program in the concert and marching areas, and gives advice to younger teachers on "burnout."
Part two of our interview with Ted Lega, which is actually part one! We kick off with a sample of a track from the Teddy Lee Orchestra's album "Sentimental Journey," and then Ted goes into some great history of his time with the Joliet band. Some fantastic history in this episode for not only people from the Joliet area, but for anyone interested in band history dating back to the early 1900s.
In part 1, Ted Lega, Director Emeritus at Joliet Township High School and Troy Middle School, talks expression in music, and discusses his musical mentors, including Dr. Harry Begian. Part 2 coming soon, including the history of the Joliet Township band, and Ted Lega's musical upbringing.
Greg Bimm, Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High School, talks luck, the perfect phrase, and Taco John's.
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