Happy Memorial Day! For this most important and solemn of holidays I am joined by Sara Corry, the staff arranger for the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." Topics: Sara's background and how her parents took her to the doctor as a child because she heard music in her head! The variety of ensembles and opportunities that she writes for as an arranger for the "Pershing's Own." Thoughts about what we can do as educators to help encourage young women to become composers. Links: Sara Corry, Composer The...
May 28, 2018•41 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Music educator John Benham joins the show to discuss his book Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision and his concept of "reverse economics" that has helped save school music in over 400 districts throughout North America. Topics: John's background as a brass player and vocalist and a bit about his early career as a music educator. The story of how John developed his theory of reverse economics and how it's simple concept works and resonates with administrators and school boards. Why musi...
May 21, 2018•57 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Episode 60 features composer and educator Travis J. Weller, who is completing his first year as a music education professor at Messiah College after a long career as a high school educator in Western Pennsylvania. Topics: Travis' background as a composer and educator including how he got his start in music and as a composer and his transition to higher education. Travis' low brass heroes, including previous podcast guest Andrew Hitz. Why Tuba players are like baseball catchers. Important advice ...
May 14, 2018•56 min•Season 2Ep. 60
It's job season! In this timely episode, David Hedgecoth, an assistant professor of music education at the Ohio State University joins me for a discussion of his career and offers his tips and advice for those seeking secondary music teaching jobs. Topics: David's path to becoming a college professor of music education and some things he learned along the way. What it was like to be the drum major for the Florida State University Marching Chiefs. Practical tips and advice for job seekers, includ...
May 07, 2018•47 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Conductor and composer Chandler Wilson is currently finishing up his doctorate in music education at Florida State University. A successful band director at several Florida High Schools, he speaks about the importance of networking and the pursuit of excellence. Topics: Chandler’s background growing up in South Florida and his early experiences making music with his family and in school. Studying with some of the great band directors and band programs at Florida A & M University, Indiana Uni...
Apr 30, 2018•49 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Kevin Day is currently a student at Texas Christian University where he studies tuba, composes, and plays jazz piano. His recent works for band have been generating a great deal of buzz and he joins me to talk about his music and the beginning of what looks to be an exciting career. Topics: Being a part of John Mackey’s booth at the Midwest Clinic and the story of how his piece Rocket Ship! came to be a part of Julie Giroux’s honor band rotation. Growing up with two musical parents, singing in c...
Apr 23, 2018•43 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Composer Frank Ticheli joins me to talk about his career, offer some advice, and remind all of us that music should be fun and our goal should be joy! My sincere apologies for the connection problems in the second half of the interview. Topics: Frank’s early experiences and an anecdote about how he started on the trumpet and not the clarinet. Being a student in Texas and the lessons about music that he learned from his high school band directors and the story of a nudge towards becoming a compos...
Apr 16, 2018•44 min•Season 2Ep. 56
The director of bands at the University of Minnesota, Emily Threinen joins me to discuss her career and share her thoughts about music and teaching. Topics: Emily’s background and the teacher, Tim Smith, who she credits with inspiring her career. Leading students to success without fear or intimidation. A discussion about gender in the band world including the importance of diversity in leadership positions. A discussion about concert programming and finding a balance between new music while per...
Apr 09, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Composer Michael Markowski joins the show to offer a thoughtful conversation about his very unique career as a musician and composer. Topics: Michael’s background including the revelation that despite having a career as a composer able to support himself he does not possess a degree in music! Michael’s early experiences with Manhattan Beach Publications and the move to self-publishing. Traditional pre-printed scores vs. PDF downloads. Some advice for commissioning a new work including one thing ...
Apr 02, 2018•54 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Episode 53 - Alex Shapiro Composer Alex Shapiro kicks off year two of the podcast with a terrific conversation about her career and her remarkable perspectives about composing and music. Topics: How growing up in New York City with two very supportive parents helped Alex to a career in music. The importance of “showing up” and how it leads to amazing connections and opportunities. Her remarkable story about her transition from writing commercial music for media to becoming a concert composer and...
Mar 26, 2018•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Jenny Neff conducts three concert bands at Bala Cynwyd Middle School, is on the NAfME Council for Band Education, and is currently the Interim Director of the Master of Music and Summer Music Studies programs at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Topics: Jenny’s early background as a horn player and the importance of the early support and experiences that she had that led to her career as a music teacher. Jenny’s program at Bala Cynwyd Middle School and the value of having all of the mu...
Mar 19, 2018•49 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Conductor David Vickerman of San Jose State University joins me to talk about his career and share his wisdom. Notably, this includes an extended discussion about our responsibility as leaders to help promote diversity. Topics: David’s job at San Jose State and his background growing up in Northern California through his first job at the College of New Jersey and his return back home to the Bay Area of California. Choosing music and some thoughts about finding quality literature regardless of ae...
Mar 13, 2018•53 min•Season 2Ep. 51
I made it to 50! Joining me is Rodney Dorsey, the current head of bands at the University of Oregon and who was just announced as a new professor of music in bands at Indiana University beginning in Fall 2018. Topics: Rodney’s background growing up in Florida including having Robert Sheldon as his band director. Key lessons learned from his teachers including James Croft, John Paynter, and Mallory Thompson. The band program at the University of Oregon and Rodney’s new gig at Indiana University. ...
Mar 05, 2018•51 min•Season 2Ep. 50
The founder and conductor of the Desert Winds in Las Vegas, Chuck Maguire shares his thoughtful and insightful opinions on music education and the importance of composers and their music. Topics: Chuck’s origin story and his early career and particularly his time at Troy University and a life-changing moment with Robert W. Smith. The story of building community at Goshen High School and tips for young directors starting out at small rural high schools. The importance of meeting the needs of the ...
Feb 26, 2018•58 min•Season 2Ep. 49
For this special bonus episode I recorded three interviews in the exhibit hall at the 2018 Texas Music Educators Association Convention. The guests are composer Jack Wilds, composer Haley Woodrow, and Keith Kelly, the founder of the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra. Links: Jack Wilds Wilds: Legacy Fanfare Wilds: Solstice Dance Haley Woodrow Woodrow: And It Begins Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less Hindemith: Symphonie in B-Flat Celtic Horizon Tours Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra Gaelic...
Feb 22, 2018•56 min
Max McKee is the founder of the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) and the American Band College (ABC). In this episode, the longtime educator tells the story of how and why he founded WIBC and explains how the curriculum he developed at Southern Oregon University eventually became the American Band College. Topics: Max’s musical background and his early experience at the Gunnison music camp that set his course and has served as the inspiration for much of what he does. The story of the We...
Feb 19, 2018•59 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Texas composer Daniel Montoya Jr. joins me on the eve of TMEA 2018 to discuss his career as a composer and share his opinions on a variety of topics, including writing for marching bands and why sometimes it is better to not talk too much! Topics: Daniel’s background, growing up in the Texas band tradition, and the story of his humorous biography. The inspiration behind Daniel’s early efforts as a composer and how relationships he built over time led to early success as a published composer of p...
Feb 12, 2018•57 min•Season 2Ep. 47
While at the Florida Music Educator's Conference in early January I had a chance to sit down with composer Jim Stephenson and talk about his career, his thoughts about composing, and winning the 2017 Revelli Prize. Topics: Jim’s background as a trumpet player with the Naples Philharmonic and the decision he and his wife made to quit playing professionally and take the leap to become a professional composer. The opportunity to write for both band and orchestra and the connections that have helped...
Feb 05, 2018•48 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Composer Peter Meechan joins the show for a wonderfully thoughtful discussion that includes conversations about his career, music in England, the merits of self-publishing, composition, and the bar at the Royal Northern College of Music. Topics: Pete’s background growing up outside of Birmingham as the son of two folk musicians who surrounded him with music. A discussion of the band system in England including opportunities for young musicians and the Black Dyke Brass Band. How the bar at the Ro...
Jan 22, 2018•56 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Sean Smith is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois and a recent graduate of that program. Sean recounts his experiences at his first job, describes the transition from high school teacher to graduate student, and shares his opinion about the larger issues facing music education. Topics: Sean’s experience as a young band director learning the ropes in Conneaut, Ohio, including both his best decision and his worst decision in his first year on the job. The decisio...
Jan 15, 2018•47 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Episode 43 features composer and publisher Walter Cummings. Walter and his wife Janet co-founded Grand Mesa Music Publishers in the early 1990's and have not only survived as a business in a competitive industry, but have had 25 years of nearly continuous growth. Walter shares his story and some of his thoughts about what has made his business so successful. Topics: Walter’s background growing up in Mississippi and his journey from band director to composer to publisher including a surprising li...
Jan 15, 2018•47 min•Season 2Ep. 43
It was my pleasure to speak with Dutch composer Johan De Meij about his career, hear his thoughts about writing music, and of course chat about his landmark "Lord of the Rings" Symphony. Topics: Johan’s background as a brass player and his transition from performer to arranger to composer including the huge initial success that he had with the Lord of the Rings Symphony. A bit about the tradition of wind band music in the Netherlands and Johan’s experiences and thoughts with music competitions. ...
Jan 08, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Composer Tyler S. Grant has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success and is one of the most exciting and interesting young composers for band today. In this interview Tyler tells his story and provides insight into his background and career. Topics: Tyler’s musical background and the story of how he ended up writing music at a very early age and his early relationship with Brian Balmages at FJH Publications. His early experiences working as a conductor with students that are very close to his age and ...
Jan 01, 2018•42 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Current Past President of the Florida Music Educator's Association and 2017 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor winner John Southall joins me for an inspiring conversation about music education. Topics: Why a good music education program should inspire the potential teacher to continue to learn and grow throughout their career. Creating a sustainable and passionate appreciation for music and the arts in as diverse a community as possible. The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honor and Alfred...
Dec 18, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Matt Koperniak of Riverwatch Middle School in Georgia joins the show to talk about his school's upcoming performance at the 2017 Midwest Clinic. He also shares his thoughts about music education and tips for other teachers in this very informative episode. Topics: The story of Riverwatch being accepted to the Midwest Clinic from the application process to breaking the news to the kids and selecting music. The pieces that were commissioned for the Midwest Clinic, the value of having commissioned ...
Dec 11, 2017•45 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Mary Land joins me to share 29 years of experience as a middle school band director. Also discussed is her role on the Midwest Board of Directors, finding balance as a band director, and her recent transition to college professor. Topics: The program at Young Harris College and how Mary made the transition from a 29 year career as a middle school band director to a college band director. “You can not teach to empty chairs.” Mary’s thoughts about building a program and attracting students to part...
Dec 04, 2017•54 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Kenny Hansen of Blue Springs South High School joins me to discuss his award winning program, the importance of expecting excellence, the value of marches, and the story behind his band's exceptional YouTube channel. Topics: Kenny’s background and the program at Blue Springs South High School. Blue Springs South’s recent run to to the BOA finals in Indianapolis and the value of the marching program to the rest of the band program at the school. The value of marches and why they are so important ...
Nov 27, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Former director of bands at Eastern Illinois University and current CEO and founder of the non-profit Music Guerrilla, Milt Allen joins me to speak about his own career and his views of music education and the band world. Topics: The problem of elitism in music and the need to eliminate placing value judgments on different genres of music. A discussion of the value of self-publishing versus commercial publishing for composers. Milt’s background growing up in Salina, Kansas and the lessons that h...
Nov 20, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Joe Parisi is a professor of music education at UMKC and the director of the Fountain City Brass Band. He joins me to talk about music education, brass band, and how music gives us a sense of belonging. Topics: Joe’s background and current position as a music professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Teaching students to love music through band and the importance of creating lifelong learning through music. The exceptional faculty, including Elliot Del Borgo and Tony Maiello at SUNY P...
Nov 13, 2017•57 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Joshua Gailey is a PhD candidate in musicology at Yale University and his dissertation focuses on the factors that influenced the development of the school band movement during the Progressive Era. The fact that this episode falls on the birthday of John Philip Sousa is a happy coincidence! Topics: The institutionalization and standardization of the concert band in the early years of the 20th Century as part of the larger social reform movements of the era. The “Golden Age” of the wind band duri...
Nov 06, 2017•59 min•Season 1Ep. 34
