Podcasts about sigma alpha iota

We welcome Dr. Shelley Axelson , Director of Bands at Radford University, to The Band Room! We dive into Shelley's origin story, the importance of being patient with yourself, teaching teachers, fostering student connections, and much more!Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompodHelp support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/storeMusic used in this episodeBRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR HammellPerforming Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind EnsembleDr. Gillian MacKay – ConductorChasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait NishimuraArranged and performed by Brian BarberAbout ShelleyDr. Shelley Axelson is currently the Director of Bands at Radford University in Virginia where she conducts the Wind Ensemble, Campus-Community Band, graduate conducting students, and teaches courses in the music education curriculum.  She was previously an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Assistant Director of Bands at Montclair State University in New Jersey for twelve years where her duties included conducting the Symphonic Band and teaching courses in conducting, instrumental methods, and music education.  She also served as an academic advisor, faculty advisor for Sigma Alpha Iota, and created a Campus Band and Pep Band so students majoring in a subject other than music would have an opportunity to continue their musical education and experiences.Dr. Axelson earned her undergraduate degree in music education from the University of South Florida, where she studied conducting with Jerry Junkin, Michael Votta, and Mallory Thompson.  She continued her training by earning a Master of Music degree in Conducting at the University of Michigan, where her principal teacher was H. Robert Reynolds.   After graduating from Michigan, she taught at Pasco Middle School in Dade City, Florida (co-author of the Secondary Music Curriculum), and Richardson Junior High in Richardson, Texas.After earning her Doctorate in Conducting with Mallory Thompson at Northwestern University, Dr. Axelson was appointed Director of Bands at Central College in Pella, Iowa where she was responsible for running all aspects of the band program.  After three years in Iowa, she relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana to become the Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Indianapolis.  In 2009, she joined the faculty of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey and has been at Radford University since the fall of 2022.Dr. Axelson is a highly sought-after conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator for professional development events, band festivals, honor bands, and conferences throughout the United States and Canada.  She recently presented at the National Association for Music Education Regional Conference in Atlantic City and the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.Episode LinksRadford University School of Musichttps://www.radford.edu/content/cvpa/home/music.htmlUniversity of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium 2024https://performance.music.utoronto.ca/conducting-symposium/BRP Consortium Projecthttps://www.bandroompod.com/consortiumSupport the showThe Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

 Sigma Alpha Iota's (SAI) All Campus Sing has showcased the musical talents, dance skills, wardrobe creativity and often, the wicked sense of humor, of Racers across many of the campus's student organizations for 65 years. And nearly every April since 1958, students, faculty, staff, locals and alumni have crowded the lawn in front of Lovett Auditorium, along with thousands of Racers around the globe tuned-in online, to watch the highly-choreographed musical numbers on Murray State's most beloved steps. This year's event is Wednesday, April 12, beginning at 3 p.m. Apart from, maybe, longtime Student Organization Advisor Jeanie Morgan and a handful of others, few Racers have participated in more consecutive All Campus Sings than Murray State Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Don Robertson, or to those in the know, Dr. R. Dr. Robertson is joined by Logan Stout ('11, '15), the ACS Master of Ceremonies who first participated as a student, himself, to chat about some of their favorite ACS memories. Racer Men's Basketball fans will also recognize Logan as the P.A. announcer during games in the CFSB Center. This year's All Campus Sing event chairs, Addi Bussen, Aidan Schweitzer and Gena Parker join us to share all of the ways alumni near and far can support the participating student organizations, as well as SAI's annual philanthropy, People to People, a non-profit organization that provides instruments, music and music accessories to those without access. For more information regarding all things ACS and SAI, feel free to email allcampussing.sai@gmail.com. To stream the event wherever you are visit murraystate.edu/streaming. And, to provide financial support from anywhere in the world use Cash App $saiiotabeta. This podcast was produced with the help of Jim Ray Consulting Services and made possible by members of the Murray State University Alumni Association. Jim is a 1992 Murray State graduate. He can help you with the concept development, implementation, production and distribution of your own podcast, just as he has done for the MSUAA. Not a current member of the MSUAA? Let's change that! Join today by visiting murraystate.edu/alumni. The views and opinions expressed during the Racer Alumni Podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Murray State University, its administration or the faculty at large. The episodes are designed to be inspiring and entertaining.

In this week's recap of Volume 147, Issue 24 of the Collegian, hosts Lauren Scott and Maddy Welsh talk to Logan Washburn about city news and his opinion piece. Then, they speak to Ally Hall on a local business surrounding mushrooms, and Maddy speaks on the end of the women's music fraternity on campus Sigma Alpha Iota. Finally, they end with a review of the other headlines this week and a rundown of Chargers sports.

Hailed by LA Weekly as a “force of nature”, soprano and Fat Politics artist-activist Tracy Cox is a performer whose talent has been recognized across the industry, garnering her a Sullivan Foundation Award, the Birgit Nilsson Prize at Operalia, the Kirsten Flagstad Award from the George London Foundation, a Sarah Tucker Study Grant, and the top prize from the Marilyn Horne Song Competition. She has sung with orchestras around the world, including the MÁV Symphony of Budapest, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, and at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center in Moscow. Tracy has been interviewed by the New York Times on Fat Politics and restaurant accessibility, and currently has over 20,000 followers on her Instagram @sparklejams where she centers fat liberation, fat vanity, and fat talent in the performing arts. Tracy is a highly sought-after speaker and consultant on the topic of body justice in the performing arts and has been presented by numerous opera companies and arts organizations including Long Beach Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera NexGen, Sigma Alpha Iota, River City Opera, and the M Institute for the Arts in Washington D.C. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dreadingtheboards/message

This event is sponsored by the Sigma Alpha Iota sorority.

Featuring works by J.S. Bach, Robert Elmore, Jean Langlais, and others. This event is sponsored by the Sigma Alpha Iota sorority.

Dr. Liz Palmer is a middle school music teacher who has a passion for culture and diversity within music. She brings cultural music into her classroom and has researched what makes a band a family through social and cultural capital. Liz was recently appointed to the new Director of Diversity and Inclusion role for Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity.   Liz’s Music Nonprofit: https://www.facebook.com/modernmaestro.inc    Support the podcast: patreon.com/introducingmepodcast Have a question or want to guest host? Email: introducingmepodcast@gmail.com    Connect on Social Media: Instagram: @introducingmepodcast & @slportal7 Facebook: @introducingmepodcast YouTube: @introducingmepodcast   Artwork: instagram.com/graphite.vmb Music/Editing: youtube.com/colemanrowlett

Lisa (Hopko) Loucks is in her twenty-third year as Orchestra Director at Maitland Middle School in the Orange County Public Schools centered in Orlando, Florida. Her orchestras have consistently earned superior ratings in the Florida Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessments, and have performed in Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. Originally from Chicago, Lisa grew up on the west coast of the Florida and is a graduate Manatee High School under the direction of Jim Palmer. She then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from UCF, where her teachers included John Whitney, Lee Eubank, and Dr. Ayako Yonetani. She has served as FOA 7-8 All State Orchestra Chair, District Chair for Orange County, and is a certified adjudicator of Music Performance Assessments. She had the honor of conducting All-County Orchestras throughout the state, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. She has been a summer faculty member for both the Florida West Coast Symphony and UCF String Workshop. She has also been an adjunct professor at Stetson University, as instructor of their Secondary String Methods course. Mrs. Loucks is a violist with the Brevard Symphony, and has performed for the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, 4 Divo, Fernando Varela's PBS special “Coming Home” and with her #1 favorite artist-Harry Connick, Jr. Her professional memberships include the Florida Orchestra Association/ Florida Music Educators Association, American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and Sigma Alpha Iota. Most recently she was selected as the 2017-18 Florida School Teacher of the Year by ASTA. Outside of the classroom, Lisa is mom to 2-year old Logan. She spends many weekends exploring the theme parks with her family and is an avid Disney Pin Trader. Ms. Loucks can be reached at Lisa.Loucks@ocps.net --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/orchestrateacher/support

Dr. Andrea Brown is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. At UM, Dr. Brown conducts several ensembles including the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band.    Topics include: - Andrea discusses her experiences working as the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Michigan and making the transition to leading ensembles at the University of Maryland  - Designing shows for marching band - Promoting diversity of gender in the field of music education   Links:  Andrea’s UM page: https://music.umd.edu/directory/andrea-brown UM Bands: https://music.umd.edu/ensembles/bands   Bio:  Dr. Andrea E. Brown was appointed the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in 2018. In this position she conducts the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and serves as the Director of Athletic Bands in which she leads the “Mighty Sound of Maryland” and all aspects of the athletic band program. Brown is formerly a member of the conducting faculty at the University of Michigan where she served as the assistant director of bands. In this position, she was the conductor of the Campus Bands and director of the Campus Band Chamber Ensembles, associate director of the Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, director of the Men's Basketball Band, guest conductor with the Symphony Band and Concert Band, taught conducting, and was a faculty sponsor of a College of Engineering Multidisciplinary Design Project team researching conducting pedagogy technology. Previously Brown was the director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where she also led research in conducting pedagogy technology and was a member of the Oxford Program faculty. She is a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the US, Europe, and Asia.    Brown completed a DMA in instrumental conducting at UNC Greensboro where she was a student of John Locke and Kevin Geraldi. While at UNCG, she was named Outstanding Teaching Assistant and was both guest conductor and principal horn on UNCG Wind Ensemble's fireworks! and finish line! CDs released on the Equilibrium label. Brown has also had several rehearsal guides published in the popular GIA Publications series, "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" and has presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Music For All Summer Symposium, the Yamaha Bläserklasse in Schlitz, Germany, the International Computer Music Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the College Music Society International Conference in Sydney, Australia, and multiple times at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference.   A proponent of inclusion and equity issues in the music profession, Brown is a frequent guest speaker on these topics. She currently serves on the CBDNA Gender and Ethnic Minority Committee, and as a member of the recently formed Drum Corps International Women’s In Step Committee. Brown is also the founder of “Women Rising to the Podium” - an online group of 2300 members supporting and celebrating women band directors. She also serves the chair of the Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity Graduate Conducting Grant.   Brown currently serves as a brass consultant for Phantom Regiment and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. She has been on the brass and conducting instructional staff of the DCI World Champion Phantom Regiment since 2004. Other marching organizations with which she has instructed are the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, Carolina Crown, Kennesaw Mountain High School (GA), Father Ryan High School (TN), and McGavock High School (TN).   As a performer, Brown was a member of the AA Brass Quintet, which won the International Brass Quintet Competition hosted by Fred Mills at the University of Georgia. She performed with the horn sections of the Boston Brass All Stars Big Band, North Carolina Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. Brown has studied brass performance and pedagogy with Abigail Pack, Jack Masarie, Freddy Martin, J.D. Shaw, Dottie Bennett, Randy Kohlenberg, Richard Steffen, and Ed Bach.   Originally from Milan, Tennessee, she is a graduate of Austin Peay State University where she was named "Outstanding Student in Music." Brown earned a master of music degree in horn performance and a master of music education degree with a cognate in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to her position at Georgia Tech, Brown was the assistant director of bands at Austin Peay State University and taught public school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dallas, Texas. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and CBDNA. She was awarded the Rose of Honor as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.    

This week we chat with the wonderful Salma Ortiz! You might know Salma as a field tech for the Green Brigade, an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, or as a field tech for the Hebron High School Band, so come learn a little bit more about Salma with us this week on COMIC!

This episode features Dr. Stephen Gage from Youngstown State University. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on a wide array of subjects ranging from imagination to repertoire selection.    Topics include: (04:33) Dr. Gage talks about his life and professional background (07:30) Dr. Gage talks about his ensembles at YSU (10:08)  Working with the legendary coach, Jim Tressel, as the YSU President (14:45) Repertoire Selection (27:24) Symphonic Repertoire (36:12) Ways conductors can improve their craft (46:03)  Budgeting time with a busy career  (55:27)Building and maintaining relationships (01:10:38) Favorite rehearsal tactics (01:13:53) Why do we teach music?  (01:20:57) Dr. Gage discusses leaders that have made an impact on his life  (01:27:02) Advice for music educators   Links:  Gage’s YSU Site https://ysu.edu/directory/people/stephen-l-gage Performances by Gage conducting:  Up by Anthony O’Toole - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOvtK26DT8 Symphony No. 4 by David Maslanka - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e48XTWBxP   Bio:  Stephen L. Gage has served as Professor of Conducting and Director of Bands & Orchestra at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music since 1993. In fall 2014, Dr. Gage was appointed as the conductor of the YSU Dana Symphony Orchestra and he conducts the music school’s annual opera production orchestra in addition to his work with the YSU Wind Ensemble, the Dana Chamber Winds & Strings. Professor Gage leads the MM in Instrumental Conducting program and he has been the YSU Dana School Recruitment Coordinator for his entire residency on the faculty. Stephen holds degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), and the State University of New York at Fredonia where he also earned the Performers Certificate and was a concerto winner. Stephen studied conducting with Harry John Brown, Donald Hunsberger, David Effron, Roy Ernst, James Keene, Isaiah Jackson, H. Robert Reynolds, Randall Craig Fleischer, and Paul Vermel. In September 2012, Dr. Gage was appointed as the Conductor/Music Director of the W. D. Packard Concert Band in Warren. Stephen is in his 26th season as the Edward Zacharias Memorial Chair/Conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. Previous teaching positions include serving as Director of Bands & Orchestra at Emporia State University (KS) and as Director of Bands at Auburn High School (NY) from 1980-1989.   Professor Gage has written numerous published articles on conducting, rehearsal techniques, and wind band literature, and he is an active wind band and orchestral guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator of international repute. Stephen has guest conducted and cliniced high school regional and all state honor bands and orchestras as well as a number of university wind bands and orchestras throughout the United States. In April 2017, Stephen Gage was the guest conductor for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State HS Symphony Orchestra in Erie, PA and he has had the privilege of guest conducting the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) All State HS Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) HS Symphonic Band, the West Virginia Music Educators Association (WVMEA) All-State HS Symphony Orchestra (three times), and the PMEA All-State HS Concert Band. His list of guest conducting appearances includes the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Band & Singing Sergeants, the U.S. Army Band: “Pershing’s Own”, and the U.S. Army Field Band & Chorus among others. The list of guest conducting and clinics includes experiences in Canada, Ireland, and in 35 states. Dr. Gage has received critical acclaim from a number of distinguished composers, including a number of Pulitzer prize winners: Joseph Schwanter, Carter Pann, John Mackey, Samuel Adler, Karel Husa, Frank Ticheli, John Mackey, Michael Colgrass, Donald Grantham, D.J. Sparr, Jerry Ascione, Joel Puckett, Brian Balmages, Anthony O’Toole, and David Gillingham for his interpretation and recordings of their music. Stephen’s professional affiliations include memberships in the CBDNA, NBA, OMEA/MENC, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Gage has been inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters and was named as both Distinguished Professor and Faculty Mentor of the Year at YSU; he has served on the NBA Foundation Board of Directors and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. In 2012, Gage was awarded the Marty Manning Faculty Mentor Award at the University and in 2014 he gave a Last Lecture at YSU. In January 2018, Dr. Gage was honored in the first Auburn High School (NY) Music Hall of Fame. Stephen and the YSU Wind Ensemble made their historic NYC Carnegie Hall debut in 2005 and the band gave an encore performance in this venue in November 2015. The wind ensemble has released seven CD recordings and the sixth CD in this series, Urban Requiem, was released on the NAXOS International Recording Label in June 2009 and the seventh, Old Wine in New Bottles was released by NAXOS in August 2013. Both of these NAXOS recordings have earned critical praise from numerous critical reviewers and represented composers for their artistically convincing performances and musical and technical quality. YSU Wind Ensemble CD, Spin Cycle, won Downbeat Magazine’s University Symphonic Recording of the Year. There are two new YSU Wind Ensemble CD recordings that will be released during the 2018-2019 academic year. Former YSU Dana School of Music alumni and students currently hold conducting positions in 13 university music schools across the country, and YSU Dana School of Music (DSOM) band and orchestra alumni have attended virtually all of America’s finest graduate music schools and conservatories. In addition, a number of former DSOM students are members of the premiere and regional U.S. military bands, are members of numerous professional symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles, and hold elementary, middle, and high school music teaching positions across the country. Stephen lives in Poland, Ohio with his wife, Stephanie, who has taught at the Dana School for thirteen years, and one of his three children, Brendan, a French horn and piano performance major at the Dana School and a YSU University Scholar. Daughter, Claudia, a YSU alum and former University Scholar, works as a resident-actress and lives in Connecticut; and Gage’s oldest son, Matthew, is in the coffee business, is a commercial guitar player,  and his 5-year old daughter, Zoey, live in Austin, TX.  

Patrick Dunnigan is the Director of Bands at Florida State University where he directs several concert bands and the Marching Chiefs. He also teaches courses in conducting, literature, and music education. Topics: The story of how Patrick got his start and how a guitar as a kid helped him develop some of the hearing and writing skills that have helped him throughout his career as a music educator. Patrick’s position at Florida State and a story of an empowering encounter with Phillip Glass. Thoughts about what defines an artist, advice from two legendary music educators, and what we should be aspiring towards as musicians and teachers. Links: Patrick Dunnigan The Marching Chiefs Schwantner: ...and the mountains rising nowhere Archer: Symphony No. 1 "for those taken too soon" The Danserye Biography: Patrick Dunnigan is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at The Florida State University College of Music. A member of the FSU faculty since 1991, Dr. Dunnigan is the principal conductor and music director of the University Symphonic Band, the University Concert Band and the Marching Chiefs. His other teaching duties include undergraduate conducting courses and instrumental music methods. He received FSU’s prestigious University Teaching Award in 2003. A nationally recognized guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, Dr. Dunnigan has published numerous articles on conducting, instrumental music methodology, and research in leading journals. His textbook, Marching Band Techniques, is published by The Instrumentalist Company and has become the leading college textbook of marching band methodology. His transcriptions and arrangements for concert band are performed regularly by leading university, community, and professional wind bands including the Dallas Wind Symphony. He has presented clinic sessions for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the College Band Directors National Association. A native of Frankfort, Kentucky, Dr. Dunnigan received the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree from the University of Texas at Austin, the Master of Music in Conducting degree from Northwestern University, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Kentucky. He was a member of the faculty at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo from 1987 to 1991, and prior to collegiate teaching he was Director of Bands at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky, where his symphonic, jazz, and marching bands received numerous national and regional awards for excellence. He is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, Florida Music Educators Association, National Band Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. He is also an honorary member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma, and received the Friend of the Arts award from Sigma Alpha Iota.

Barbara Rubenstein was born on June 23 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Littlestown High School where she was Valedictorian, Adams County's Junior Miss and winner of numerous Pennsylvania State Baton Twirling Championships. Barbara was musically trained at Ithaca College's School of Music with a degree in Music Education as a clarinet major. Her 34-year teaching career included positions as an instrumental music teacher and band/orchestra director in Dallas, Texas, Rochester, NY, and her last 30 years prior to retirement in Victor, New York. In addition to teaching concert, jazz, and marching band, adjudication preparation, and conducting musical productions, she was the Coordinator of the District Music Department and supervised student teachers for 25 years. Barbara is a member of NAFME, NYSSMA, and FMEA. She is a life member of Sigma Alpha Iota and an honorary member of Tri-M. From 2006-2011, she served on NYSSMA's Executive Council as Zone Representative of the Genesee Region, acting as a liaison between local teachers and the state council, and overseeing adjudication festivals and All-State concerts for nine counties. She and her husband, Todd, moved to Palm Beach County in 2013, and have three grown children. Locally, she has performed with the Royal Palm Beach Community Band where she served as Associate Conductor (2014-2016), and the New Gardens Band, acting as interim/substitute and guest conductor (2014-2017). In 2017, she assumed the position of Music Director of the Boynton Beach Gold Coast Band. www.goldcoastband.org/barb.html www.wijsf.org

Congratulations on making it to the end of another school year! The end of the year episode features Leah Bandman, a young teacher in Northern Virginia who just finished up her first year and agreed to talk about her experiences so far. Topics: Leah’s background growing up in Northern Virginia and going to school at Ohio State and the nature of her current teaching position. Unexpected challenges that Leah faced as a first year teacher. A look into the daily life of a first year music teacher including questions about unexpected challenges, materials, schedules, and classroom management. The importance of continuing to perform and play in ensembles as a teacher. Links: Bernstein: Overture to Candide Ohio State Flute Workshop Biography: Leah Bandman is a native of Springfield, Virginia. She attended Ohio State University where she received her Bachelors of Music Education degree in the spring of 2017. During her time at OSU, Leah was involved heavily in the flute studio and Sigma Alpha Iota, both of which she held leadership roles in and helped carry out major events on campus. These events included the Central Ohio Flute Association annual convention, OSU Flute Workshop, OSU High School Honor Band, and OSU Middle School Honor Band. For several years while at Ohio State University, Leah volunteered at the Ohio State School for the Blind giving private lessons and assisting with the only blind marching band in the world. At the end of her music education program, Leah student taught with Aaron Given in the Olentangy Local School District. Leah is currently a first year elementary school band director in Fairfax County Public Schools. Sharing time between three elementary schools, she is responsible for two of the programs, ranging from 70 to 110 students. She helps run elementary area honor bands, assists the middle school and high school programs by giving sectionals, and continues her playing while performing in local symphony orchestras and community bands.

Sheila Linda Firestone is from the Bronx, NY. She is a composer and educator with an M.S.Ed. from Florida Atlantic University.  Sheila has created new music since 1987.  She writes ballads, neo-classical music, sacred and choral works, songs for children, and published a meditation CD. She is retired from teaching Communications and creating curriculum for gifted elementary students in Miami-Dade Public Schools for 25 years, through grants and awards. Dr. Anne K. Gray identified Sheila in her Pulitzer Prize nomination book, The World of Women in Classical Music. Also, she is in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in Education. In 1996, she was Teacher of Note by Young Patroness’ of the Opera. Currently, Sheila is the President of the Boca Raton branch of The National League of American Pen Women. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a national music fraternity. She is a member of the Delian Society, an online network of music composers who create collectively composed suites. She is a member of The Women Cantor’s Network, and a past president of Miami Dade County’s Council for Exceptional Children. One of her most important works is “Miriam and the Women of the Desert,” ©2016 is an opera about Miriam and the Women of the Desert; an opera telling the story of the Exodus through the eyes of Miriam. Parts are available for piano, voice, chorus, and small ensemble with clarinet, violin, cello, and piano parts. www.sheilafirestone.com www.wijsf.org

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.

Episode 72: No Guts, No Glory: Master Stringmaker Dan Larsen   Upcoming Events: April 12 and 14 – Vivaldi Four Seasons and Vivaldi Concerto in D Major for Viola d’Amore with Boise Baroque in Idaho, April 13 – lecture on the history of the violin at Boise State University, April 16 – master class at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, April 20 – master class for Sigma Alpha Iota at the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois, April 22 – adjudicating the finals of Northwestern University’s concerto competition   Inquiries from my Inbox:  Anmajumdar asks, “Do you use first knuckle and wrist for your vibrato?” Peter writes, “I have a full-blown arm vibrato, which only makes me clamp down on the violin with my neck... do you have any tips to help me learn a 'wrist' vibrato?”   Random Musical Thought: Why do so many people fail to realize that my Birthday Variations are supposed to be a parody?   Main Topic: A conversation about the art of making early music strings out of gut with luthier and stringmaker Dan Larsen. For more information, please visit http://gamutmusic.squarespace.com/   Total playing time: 01:07:39   SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PODCAST ON I-TUNES!   Would you like to be featured on Violin Adventures? Just send your question via text or as an MP3 attachment to rachelbartonpine@aol.com and listen for your answer on Inquiries From My Inbox!   Thanks for listening!   www.rachelbartonpine.com   www.twitter.com/rbpviolinist www.facebook.com/rachelbartonpineviolinist www.youtube.com/RachelBartonPine Violin Adventures with Rachel Barton Pine is produced by Windy Apple Studios www.windyapple.com