Everything Band Podcast

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Episode 53 - Alex Shapiro Mar 26, 2018

Show notes

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 then how she got involved in writing for band.
Her creative process and the story of how a glass of Scotch and the frustration of a late night led to the creation of her work Paper Cut.

Links:

Biography:

Composer Alex Shapiro aligns note after note with the hope that at least a few of them will actually sound good next to each other. Her persistence at this activity, as well as non-fiction music writing, arts advocacy, public speaking, wildlife photography, and the shameless instigation of insufferable puns on Facebook, has led to a happy life. Drawing from a broad musical palette that giddily ignores genre, Alex's acoustic and electroacoustic works are published by Activist Music LLC, performed and broadcast daily, and can be found on nearly thirty commercial releases from record labels around the world.

Episode 52 - Jenny Neff Mar 19, 2018

Show notes

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 music teachers working together.
The transition period known as middle school or as Jenny says "they come in being babysat and they leave as babysitters."
The genesis of her Midwest Clinic Presentation with Scott Watson (Episode 2) and the value of using Skype to have composers work with her band.
The Master of Music and Summer Music Studies programs at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Links:

Biography:

Jenny L. Neff, Ed.D. is in her 25th year of public school teaching, with experience teaching music at various levels K-12 in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. She conducts three concert bands at Bala Cynwyd Middle School in the Lower Merion School District in Pennsylvania. She was recently hired by the University of the Arts in Philadelphia as Interim Director of the Master of Music and Summer Music Studies programs. She serves as the Eastern Division Representative for NAfME's Council for Band and previously served in roles of advocacy and professional development for PMEA districts. She is part of the PMEA mentor teacher program and serves as a trainer for their online Model Curriculum Framework tool. In December 2017, Dr. Neff co-presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and has also presented sessions for music educators in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Delaware on a variety of topics, including: music standards, curriculum, advocacy, instructional strategies, engaging students, embracing change, and teacher evaluation. Dr. Neff's doctoral research study was published in the peer-reviewed Pennsylvania Educational Leadership Journal. She has written articles for the PMEA State Journal, and blog posts for NAfME, Zeswitz Music, and J.W. Pepper. She conducted the Concert Band at New England Music Camp for four summers, and has been a guest conductor and clinician in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Previously, she toured Europe for five summers with high school musicians as Symphonic Band Director and String Ensemble Director for American Music Abroad. Dr. Neff received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education from Michigan State University where she studied horn with Douglas Campbell and Neill Saunders, and played under the batons of Eugene Corporon, Kenneth Bloomquist, and Leon Gregorian in MSU's top bands and orchestra.

Episode 51 - David Vickerman Mar 13, 2018

Show notes

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 aesthetic tastes.
The importance of actively trying to make changes in our system and helping to promote diversity in the band community.
The music program at San Jose State University.
Trying to be better at asking and answering the "Why? as conductors and teachers, and using comprehensive musicianship through performance.

Links:

Biography:

Dr. David Vickerman, 2015 winner of The American Prize in Conducting, is the new Director of Bands at San José State University. In addition to conducting the wind ensemble and symphonic band, he teaches undergraduate and graduate instrumental conducting. Prior to his appointment at San José State University, he was the Director of Bands at The College of New Jersey where he established the Wind Ensemble as a regional model for performance excellence through invitations to the College Band Directors National Association and National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conferences. Before joining The College of New Jersey, he held the position of Director of Bands on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and directed the Pep Band. In addition to his duties at SJSU, he has served as the Associate Conductor of Great Noise Ensemble, in Washington D.C. and he is a highly sought-after guest conductor having conducted numerous honor bands over the past five years.

A fervent advocate for contemporary music, Dr. Vickerman has commissioned works by eminent composers and conducted numerous world premieres with The College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble and Great Noise Ensemble. He has also arranged several pieces for winds including Ára Batur by the Icelandic rock band, Sigur Rós, Observer in the Magellanic Cloud by Mason Bates and Craigslistlieder by Gabriel Kahane. In the fall of 2013, Dr. Vickerman conducted the premiere of the "Sgt. Pepper Project" with Great Noise Ensemble. This concert consisted of thirteen premieres, each based off of a track from the famous Beatles album. For a concert event entitled "Digital Embrace" at the Peabody Institute, he conducted a concert of wind band music that focused on the use of integrated live electronics. His primary conducting instructors include Dr. Edward C. Harris (Professor Emeritus from San José State University), Dr. Stuart Sims, Robert Ponto and Harlan Parker.

Dr. Vickerman regularly presents at regional, national and international conferences on topics ranging from teaching social justice issues in band, to the development of a computer-based conducting analysis system to assist beginning conducting students. His co-authored paper with Dr. Andrea Salgian, "Computer-Based Tutoring for Conducting Students," was presented at the International Computer Music Conference in Utrecht, Netherlands in September 2016. He also accepted an invitation to present "Improve Band Performance with Socially-Conscious Repertoire" along with Dr. Colleen Sears, at the National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conference in 2017. Along with Dr. Sears, Dr. Vickerman is a founder of the Institute for Social Justice in the Arts and Humanities at TCNJ, which presents concerts, workshops and cross-departmental projects for the community.

Dr. Vickerman graduated from the Peabody Institute with a DMA in Wind Conducting in 2014 and a Master's Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Oregon in 2010. Prior to his work at the University of Oregon, he taught high school in California for 6 years after receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and teaching credential from California State University Stanislaus in 2002.

Episode 50 - Rodney Dorsey Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

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.
Increasing diversity in the band world and the need to commission and perform more music by under-represented composers.

Links:

Biography:

Dr. Rodney Dorsey comes to SOMD from a position as the associate director of bands at the University of Michigan where he conducted the Concert Band, taught undergraduate conducting, and conducted the Michigan Youth Band. Dorsey will be taking on the director of bands, conducting, and conductor of the UO Wind Ensemble starting Fall of 2013.

Prior to this appointment at UM, Dorsey served on the faculties of DePaul and Northwestern Universities. Dorsey studied conducting with Dr. James Croft, Mr. John P. Paynter, and Dr. Mallory Thompson. He was a clarinet student of Mr. Fred Ormand and Dr. Frank Kowalsky. He gained extensive experience teaching in the public schools of Florida and Georgia. Ensembles under Dorsey's direction have performed at several state and national events including the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival. He is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the United States. Recent presentations include sessions at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Intercollegiate Band (guest conductor), Georgia Music Educators District Band Festival (adjudicator), and Kentucky Music Educators Association State In-Service Conference (presenter). Dorsey holds a number of professional memberships that include the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, Illinois Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Dorsey is also a member of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors.

Episode 49 - Charles Maguire Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

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 stakeholders in an ensemble or school and the example of the Desert Winds.
Commissioning new music, the importance of composers, and some wonderful anecdotes about two works written for the Desert Winds and their 2016 Midwest Clinic performance.

Links:

Biography:

Dr. Charles A. Maguire is the founding Artistic Director of "The Best of Las Vegas Performing Arts Group", The Desert Winds, who had the distinguished honor of performing for the 70th conference of The Midwest Clinic in 2016. In addition to his artistic duties, Dr. Maguire serves as an educational consultant for band directors within the Clark County School District, the largest school music program in the United States. Dr. Maguire holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy University, a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from The University of Alabama and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Dr. Maguire has been lauded by his colleagues for fostering music programs within diverse and economically challenged school populations. Listed in "Who's Who Among American Teachers" five consecutive years, Maguire has earned distinction as band programs under his leadership have achieved top honors throughout the United States. In 2000 Maguire founded the "Pride of Pleasure Island" which grew from 19 students to over 300 students in 3 years. Dr. Maguire is an active performer having held lead roles in musical theater productions and most recently performing within the flute section of the distinguished UNLV Wind Orchestra.

Dr. Maguire is an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout the United States and Canada. His past and present professional affiliations include The National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, National Education Association, Alabama Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, Southern Nevada Band Directors Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.

TMEA Bonus Episode: Jack Wilds, Haley Woodrow, & Keith Kelly Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

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:

Biographies:

Jack Wilds' music has been performed at state educators' conferences across the country and in international venues including the Midwest Clinic, the International Trombone Festival, and the Slider Asia Clinic in Hong Kong. His works for concert band have been selected to the J.W. Pepper Editor's Choice List and the Bandworld Top 100. In addition to his career as a composer Mr. Wilds is an active clinician and music educator. He lives in Kyle, Texas with his family.

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Haley Woodrow loves to partner with performers in crafting musical experiences that offer listeners an active role. Her music reflects a broad range of influences and genres, and combines styles as a primary objective. Haley's compositions have received awards from the National Band Association (for And it Begins), the Texas Music Educators Association (for And it Begins and March for Jazz), the MACRO Composition Competition (for Place of the Pike: Then and Now) and the Noteflight Big Band Composition Contest (for Something Entirely Different). Alfred, Hal Leonard, Barnhouse and MurphyMusicPress offer published versions of several of her compositions and she also actively self-publishes through her company, Woodrow Music. As an educator, Haley currently is an Adjunct Instructor for both Tarrant County College and Weatherford College. Haley served as the staff Orchestra Director and Arranger for Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, completing approximately 500 arrangements and establishing a home production studio in 2012. Haley began her musical journey as a trumpet player, and has performed professionally and taught many students privately for well over a decade. Haley graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in jazz studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and earned her Master's of Music in composition from Texas Christian University. She currently lives in Bedford, Texas with her husband Jonathan Woodrow and is an avid CrossFitter and contributing member of Gateway Church of Southlake.

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Having studied clarinet and saxophone in Dublin's Artane School of Music, Keith Kelly joined the Irish Defence Forces Band in 2004. Here he served as principal clarinetist of the Band of the Western Command for over 10 years and featured as a clarinet and saxophone soloist on many occasions. During this time, Keith was actively involved within Irish community banding. As a conductor and administrator, Keith assisted in the founding of successful Irish concert bands such as the Clara Town Band and Midlands Wind Ensemble, both of which would go on to win national awards at the IABCB and South of Ireland Band Championships. In 2014, Keith and a team of other passionate music educators and performers founded the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, an ensemble of almost 100 performers from throughout Ireland. This ensemble was formed to promote the highest quality of wind band repertoire, and after only 3 years has worked with international icons such as Johan de Meij, Philip Sparke and Mark Heron. In 2017 Keith was privileged to be part of this ensemble as it represented Irish community banding on the world stage at WASBE in Utrecht, Netherlands. Keith now works in the performing arts department of Celtic Horizon Tours, working with an experienced and dedicated team in bringing performing arts groups from around the globe to visit Ireland and experience its unique musical heritage

Episode 48 - Max McKee Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

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 Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) including the story of the it's founding, it's format, and what a director should expect if they go.
How Max's belief in experiential learning for his music education students at the Southern Oregon University led to the American Band College.
The American Band College program.

Links:

Biography:

Editor of Bandworld Magazine and co-founder of Western International Band Clinic, he is Professor Emeritus of Music at Southern Oregon Univ. where he served as Director of Bands from 1967 to 1994. He is now Executive Director of The American Band College masters degree program in which over 200 candidates from over 47 states and 8 foreign countries are enrolled.

Max also continues as a WIBC Board member, has served on the Oregon Arts Commission and in 2014 was elected Chairman of the Board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He received the NBA Citation of Excellence and is a two-time recipient of the Sousa Foundation's Sudler Certificate of Merit. In 1999 he was inducted into the Northwest Bandmasters Assoc. and received the Sousa Foundation's highest award, The Medal of Honor.

He is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, hosted its 1988 national convention in Ashland and served on its Board of Directors from 2000-2002. Max was also presented the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic's Music Industry Award, the WBDI World of Music Award and the A.A. Harding Award by the ASBDA.

Episode 47 - Daniel Montoya Jr. Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

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 percussion music and eventually to his current career as a composer of music for marching band and concert band.
The process of commissioning a piece of music and Daniel's advice for how to deal with your percussion section.
In what is the greatest soliloquy in the history of this podcast, Daniel dishes on competition and band and keeping everything in its proper perspective.

Links:

Biography:

Daniel Montoya, Jr. is a native of Austin, a 90's music aficionado (followed closely by the jams of the 80's), and denies his "hipster-ness" whenever possible. He also, occasionally, writes music (since being musically moved by his first viewing of the James Cameron film Titanic and wanting to write the music to the sequel, Titanic 2: Jack of Spades: Jack Dawson's Revenge: This Time It's Personal). His oeuvre spans several genres, including original pieces and arrangements for wind band, percussion ensemble, and the marching arts. His works, which resound with bristling energy and color, have won numerous awards from national organizations. His education includes a master's degree in wind conducting from Texas State University where he studied with Dr. Caroline Beatty, a master's degree in music composition from Central Michigan University where he studied with David R. Gillingham, and a baccalaureate degree in music composition from Texas State University (he fully expects to be called Grand Master Montoya, or "Montstro"). He has also studied and participated in masterclasses with such composers as Kevin Beavers, William Bolcom, Michael Ippolito, Cindy McTee, Kevin Puts, Russell Riepe, and Roberto Sierra.

While not tending to Mont Shoemore, his outlandish and somewhat offensive collection of sneakers, Montoya has been known to make public appearances at performances of his music, which have included concerts at Avery Fisher Hall, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Percussive Arts Society International Conference, the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, and the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference, among others. When in attendance at these events, he can usually be identified by denim, sneakers, and his satchel (man purse or, "murse" for the layman).

Although the closest he's been to being a man in uniform was as a member of "The Pride of the Hill Country" and possibly some ill-advised Halloween costumes, he served as the arranger for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band in 2012 & 2013. His involvement with marching bands engages him throughout the nation. Among the organizations that have used his compositions and arrangements on the field are champions and finalists at various state- and national-level competitions, and major Division I intercollegiate bands. Montoya is the Program Coordinator & Brass Composer/Arranger for The Guardians Drum & Bugle Corps from Houston, TX and has arranged for The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps from Dubuque, IA and Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, TX. His innovative approach to field arrangement involves imbuing new vitality and dramatic elements into his charts without sacrificing the integrity of the source material, creating a new and vibrant musical object rather than a mere transcription of the original.

When not submerged in his mild-mannered Clark-Kent-esque composition day job, Montoya enjoys engaging in the indigenous Austinite culture and trying to slowly conquer the universe of social media. He is frequently mistaken for Andy Garcia on Congress Avenue. His sidekicks on this mission are his better half, known to the Twittersphere simply as "The Girl," their daughter, known to the world as "The Heir," and a slightly overweight puggle named Mahler who runs the household and sleeps in the big bed. He has coined the term "portmonto" as a portmanteau of his name with the word "portmanteau" to refer to his love of making up senselessly long words (partially inspired by his love of mash-ups) and he was a fan of using hashtags on Facebook way before it was cool. Montoya's music is published by C-Alan Publications, Row-Loff Productions, Tapspace Publications, and his publishing company, Underwater Theme Productions/Montoya Music. Montoya is an Artist/Educator for Innovative Percussion, Inc. and is a member of ASCAP and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Episode 46 - Jim Stephenson Feb 05, 2018

Show notes

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 Jim find success in both communities.
Commissioning a work from Jim and how the personality of the performer and the needs of ensemble influence the final result.
Jim's advice for young composers and the early success that went mostly unnoticed but had a profound influence on his career.
The story of Symphony No. 2 "Voices" that was written for and premiered the United States Marine Band and which won the National Band Association's 2017 William D. Revelli Award.

Links:

Biography:

Leading American orchestras, instrumentalists and wind ensembles around the world have performed the music of Chicago-based composer James M. Stephenson, both to critical acclaim and the delight of audiences.. Stephenson came late to his full-time composing career, having performed 17 seasons as a trumpeter in the Naples Philharmonic in Florida. As such, the composer is largely self-taught, making his voice truly individual and his life's work all the more remarkable. Recent and upcoming premieres include the St. Louis and Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Cabrillo Festival, as well as the US "President's Own" Marine Band. Over 150 orchestras and bands play his music annually.

In his own words: "Since becoming a full-time composer in 2007, I have been fortunate to have had a steady stream of commissions and projects, keeping me always on task and, luckily, in demand. Stemming from my days as a professional trumpeter in the Naples (FL) Philharmonic, I have endeavored to be a "performer's composer" – always remaining sensitive to the needs of those who are on stage making the music happen. Chicago Symphony clarinetist John Yeh has playfully called me "The Concerto King", and I am happy to admit that my catalog does include a concerto, and sonata, for nearly every symphonic instrument, with more being added every year. A notable characteristic I try to infuse in my music is rhythmic momentum, as well as colorful scoring and orchestration, whether for instruments of the same timbre, or in mixed chamber settings. For me, this is the playground, and I absolutely love this part of the process. I will always cherish and hold in high esteem the musical giants of the past, in addition to adding my own modern sensitivities, so as to try to give my music a blend of familiarity and new discovery all at once. With this, I hope to lead audiences and performers on a journey of both anticipation and reward."

Episode 44 - Peter Meechan Jan 22, 2018

Show notes

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 Royal Northern College of Music led to the relationships and opportunities that helped Pete launch his career.
The value of being self-published as a composer and the importance of retaining your copyright.

Links:

Biography:

The music of Canadian-based British composer Peter Meechan is performed throughout the world. His music has been commissioned, recorded, broadcast and performed by some of the world's leading wind orchestras, brass bands, conductors and soloists, including: "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey, Black Dyke Brass Band, Dunshan Symphonic Wind Orchestra, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, RNCM Wind Orchestra, Steven Mead, Jens Lindemann, Ryan Anthony, Les Neish, Linda Merrick, the BBC Concert Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Rex Richardson, Jacques Mauger and many more. Meechan's music is featured on over 100 commercial recordings and has been featured at festivals and clinics globally, including the Midwest Clinic, the International Trumpet Guild, the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, BASBWE conferences, and in 2014 his work "The Legend of King Arthur" was used as the set test piece at the British National Brass Band Championships, held in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Peter was the first ever "Young Composer in Association" with the prestigious Black Dyke Brass band, where he went on to serve as their "Composer in Residence", a position he also held between 2012 – 2015 with The Band of the Coldstream Guards. He holds an undergraduate degree from the Royal Northern College of Music, a Master of Arts degree and a PhD (composition), both from the University of Salford where his principal tutor was Professor Peter Graham. Peter Meechan's music is principally published by his own publishing house, Meechan Music.

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