Everything Band Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 45 - Sean Smith Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

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 decision to leave his position as a high school band director and return to school to pursue a master and doctorate.
The history and importance of the University of Illinois band program and its influence on the college band tradition.
The University of Illinois Band Podcast.

Links:

Biography:

A native of Illinois, Sean Smith is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois.

Sean completed a year of coursework at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York prior to coming to the University of Illinois to continue his Master's degree with Dr. Stephen Peterson, which he finished in 2017. He has six years of public school teaching experience as Director of Bands in the Conneaut Area City Schools in Conneaut, Ohio. While in Conneaut, Sean taught bands from fifth grade through high school, directed the Conneaut High School Marching Band, and developed the music technology, guitar, and piano courses offered by the high school.

Before teaching, Sean studied at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Music Education. Sean received much conducting experience at Baldwin Wallace as Conducting Apprentice for the Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble and student conductor for the Brass Choir and the Contemporary Ensemble. Sean's professional experiences include serving as Music Director of the Euclid Civic Orchestra and working as a National Director for Bugles Across America.

In August of 2015, The Instrumentalist Magazine published an article Sean authored titled "The Ideal Marching Schedule." He had previously presented on the topic at the Ohio Music Education State Conference and at the Whalen Symposium at Ithaca College.

Episode 43 - Walter Cummings Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

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 link to an earlier podcast guest.
Walter's willingness to take risks and how that has been a large part of the success of Grand Mesa Music.
How the saying "You must be present to win" led to the growth of Grand Mesa Music and led to a meeting with Randall Standridge at the Arkansas Bandmasters Meeting
Advice for composers who might want to find a publisher, including some tips for keeping a fresh cache of ideas available for new works.

Links:

Biography:

Walter Cummings (b. 1953) has taught band for 14 years at the college, high school, and middle school levels in Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Colorado, and is owner of Grand Mesa Music.

Episode 42 - Johan De Meij Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

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.
The importance of knowing what you're good at and doing it well and some great advice for young composers.
A surprising discussion of the Elvish language and the copyright issues surrounding the use of Tolkien's work.

Links:

Biography:

Dutch composer and conductor Johan de Meij (Voorburg, 1953) received his musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, where he studied trombone and conducting. His award-winning oeuvre of original compositions, symphonic transcriptions and film score arrangements has garnered him international acclaim and have become permanent fixtures in the repertoire of renowned ensembles throughout the world. His Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings was awarded the prestigious Sudler Composition Prize and has been recorded by myriad ensembles including The London Symphony Orchestra, The North Netherlands Orchestra, The Nagoya Philharmonic and The Amsterdam Wind Orchestra. His Symphony No. 2 The Big Apple, Symphony No. 3 Planet Earth, Symphony No. 4 Sinfonie der Lieder as well as his solo concertos, T-Bone Concerto (trombone), UFO Concerto (euphonium) and Casanova (cello) have been enthusiastically received at many of the world's finest venues. Before devoting his time exclusively to composing and conducting, Johan de Meij enjoyed a successful professional career as a trombone and euphonium player, performing with major orchestras and ensembles in The Netherlands. He is in high demand as a guest conductor and lecturer, frequently invited to speak about and perform his own works. He currently maintains posts with both the New York Wind Symphony and the Kyushu Wind Orchestra in Fukuoka, Japan as their principal guest conductor. He was also appointed regular guest conductor of the Simón Bolívar Youth Wind Orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela – part of the celebrated Venezuelan educational system El Sistema. He is founder and CEO of his own publishing company Amstel Music, established in 1989. When not traveling, Johan divides his time between his Hudson Valley home and Manhattan apartment with his wife and muse Dyan, cats Lenny & Tosca and dog Lucy

Episode 41 - Tyler S. Grant Jan 01, 2018

Show notes

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 the growth he's seen as a music education student at the University of Alabama.
The thought process behind Tyler's decision to have his young band works commercially published while self-publishing his works for more advanced ensembles.
His experience with honor bands, his compositional process, and his thoughts about commissioning and consortiums.

Links:

Biography:

Tyler S. Grant (b. June 23, 1995) has written numerous award-winning works for concert bands, marching bands and chamber groups; many of which have been performed around the world and by musicians of all levels. His works for wind band have been found on Editor's Choice lists from various international music distributors in addition to being performed by many region and state-wide honor bands. His work Panoramic Fanfare was named a winner in the 2014 "Call for Fanfares" Competition hosted by the Dallas Wind Symphony. The fanfare has since been performed by collegiate and professional ensembles in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Since 2010, he has regularly accepted commissions for new works and produced new publications for bands and chamber groups each year. While he has never formally studied composition, he credits his mentors Brian Balmages and Randall Coleman as being pivotal to his success as a composer and a conductor. Notable performance venues of his work include The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas), The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and numerous state-wide, national, and international music conventions. Upcoming commissions and appearances include performances by: The Georgia Wind Symphony, Redstone Brass, Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble, University of Alabama Concert Bands, Ohio State University Concert Bands, United States Naval Academy's Midshipmen Drum & Bugle Corps, trombonist Jon Whitaker, and many other middle-school and high-school ensembles in the United States and Canada.

In addition to his writing, Tyler enjoys conducting and clinic engagements with ensembles throughout the United States. His rehearsal style has been described as "engaging and energetic, sprinkled with humor and the occasional life lesson". Tyler was recently a contributing author in Alfred Music Publishing Company's Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series and has contributed interviews to numerous podcasts and articles including School Band & Orchestra Magazine and The Instrumentalist.

Currently, Tyler is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music at the University of Alabama while maintaining his active composing and conducting schedule. His more than 20 published works are available through The FJH Music Company, Inc. and Tyler S. Grant Music Works.

Episode 40 - John Southall Dec 18, 2017

Show notes

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 Watkins.
Why healthy competition can help build community and teach life lessons as long as we remember that students and their well-being must be more important than the success of the performing ensemble.
Put the same amount of energy that you put into being a good teacher into our personal lives.
Be like a magnet and bring everyone into your orbit!

Links:

Biography:

John K. Southall, PhD, currently serves as the Coordinator of Music Education and Director of Bands at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Florida. He also serves as Music Director of the Port St. Lucie Community Band. He has been an active music education advocate, conductor, clinician, adjudicator and presenter across the United States for over 30 years.

Dr. Southall received the PhD and the MME from Florida State University and the BME from Florida A&M University. He has served as a Courtesy Associate Professor of Music Education/Therapy at the Florida State University. He has served on the faculties of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Nova Southeastern University (FL) and Broward College (FL). Dr. Southall has served as the Community Endowed Teaching Chair in Fine Arts at Indian River State College. He has served as the music curriculum specialist, K-12, for the Broward County school district in Florida. He has also served as the Director of Bands at Western High School, Piper High School and Ely High School in Broward County, Florida.

Dr. Southall currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Florida Music Education Association and is also the Conference Chairman for the FMEA annual Professional Development Conference. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Center for Fine Arts Education (FL) and as Chairman of the FMEA Finance committee. He has served as the Events Coordinator for the FMEA conference. He is also an editorial board member for the Florida Music Director magazine. Dr. Southall has served as the Chairman of the Affective Response Special Research Interest Group (NAfME). He has served as an editorial board member for the Research Perspectives in Music Education journal (FL). He has also published in national and state journals.

Dr. Southall has served as president of the Broward Music Educators Association and as Chairman of the Broward County Band Directors Association (FL). He has served on the executive board of the Broward County Cultural Affairs Division. He is the sponsor and coordinator of the Indian River State College Treasure Coast Four County Honors Band Festival. He has served as the coordinator and presenter for the Florida Bandmasters Association's Adjudicator Renewal Seminar. He has served as a District Chairman for the Florida Bandmasters Association. He has served as coordinator of the Broward Music Educators Region Band Festival. He has served on the Florida Bandmasters Association's Ethics committee. He has served on the FBA adjudication committee. He has served on the FBA All-State Selections committee. He has also served as an FMEA conference Session Coordinator. Dr. Southall was a participant in Vision 2020: The Housewright Symposium on the Future of Music Education. He has served as the conductor and director of the Florida State University Summer Music Camps Honors Chamber Winds program. He has served as the Associate Director of the FSU Summer Music Camps. He has also served on numerous K-20 committees and curriculum writing teams in Florida. He has conducted band clinics in secondary schools across Florida. He has served as the assistant conductor of the Youth Symphony of Florida (Ft. Lauderdale) and is the coordinator of the IRSC Summer Middle School Band Camp.

John and Kelly Southall live in Port St Lucie, Florida, with daughters Kimberly and Kathryn, son-in-law Jacob and grandchildren Neala Rose and Oliver.

Dr. Southall is a member of FMEA, NAfME, FBA, FCMEA, Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He was selected as the Florida College Music Educator of the Year by FMEA. He has also been selected as the Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year (FL) and the Western High School Teacher of the Year (FL).

Episode 39 - Matt Koperniak Dec 11, 2017

Show notes

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 works for the students, and the process of learning new a new work.
Small things that create a sense of community and the importance of each individual to the greater good.
The importance of professional development and thoughts for convincing administrators of the value of conferences and conventions.

Links:

Biography:

Matt Koperniak is Director of Bands at Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee, Georgia. Under his direction since 2008, the Riverwatch Band Program has grown from 130 students to a current membership of 650+ students in grades 6-8. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band is a 2017 performing organization at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Recent performances by the Riverwatch Symphonic Band include the National Band Association/CBDNA Southern Division Conference, Music for All National Concert Festival, GMEA In-Service Conference, University of Alabama Honor Band, Southeastern United States Band Clinic, and University of Georgia Midfest. In 2015, the Riverwatch Symphonic Band was featured on "Strike up the Band" on National Public Radio, WABE 90.1. In 2016, the Riverwatch Band Program was the National Blue Ribbon Middle School Program of Excellence recipient from the National Band Association. Dr. Koperniak is the State Band Chair for the Georgia Music Educators Association. He serves Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia as National Executive Committeeman-at-Large and Chair of the Commission on Standards, and received the national Volunteer of the Year award in 2013. He has presented music education research at the NAfME national research conference, University of Illinois, and Gettysburg College. Dr. Koperniak was the 2012 Teacher of the Year for Riverwatch Middle School, and he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity in 2014. He is a 2017 recipient of the UGA Alumni Association's 40 under 40 award. Dr. Koperniak received degrees in Music Education from the University of Georgia and Boston University. While at UGA, he served as Drum Major and Band Captain of the Redcoat Marching Band. Prior to his arrival at Riverwatch, previous teaching positions include Jefferson High School and Norcross High School, as well as serving as Music Director of the Classic City Community Band in Athens, GA.

Episode 38 - Mary Land Dec 04, 2017

Show notes

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 participate in the band.
How to choose good music and creating packets to help students learn the skills necessary to play a piece effectively.
Practical advice about competitions, score preparation, cues, and dealing with the percussion section.
Keeping balance in your life as a band director and being a lifelong learner.

Links:

Biography:

Mary Land is Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. Mary received the Educational Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Land, a native of North Augusta, South Carolina, received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia and her Master of Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. She has served the Georgia Music Educators Association in various state and local offices. Dr. Land is currently the immediate past president of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the CNAfME state chair. She continues to make numerous appearances as adjudicator, conductor, and clinician throughout the United States. Her professional affiliations include: GMEA, NAfME, IAJE, CBDNA, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Professional Teacher Association. Dr. Land serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and is a member of the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Dr. Land is a member of the National Band Association and has served as a national representative on the NBA executive board of directors. Mary Land is also on the faculty of the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp as the conductor of the Intermediate Division Wind Symphony and conductor of the Interlochen Faculty Brass Ensemble.

Many professional awards and recognitions have been awarded Dr. Land during her career. She has recently been presented with The Distinguished Alumni Award from the Vandercook College of Music. Dr. Land has been featured in many issues of the Instrumentalist magazine discussing her teaching techniques and her band program in the public schools and her band program at Young Harris College. She has been presented the National Band Association Citation of Excellence on twelve separate occasions and has been presented the Women Band Directors International Scroll of Excellence five times. Dr. Land was awarded the GMEA Music Educator of the Year Award for 2002 and was presented with the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor Award at the 2002 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic for her contributions to music education. Mary Land was selected by the national publication School Band and Orchestra in their December 2003 issue as one of "50 Directors Who make a Difference". Mary Land's band program was the recipient of the Georgia Senate Resolution 212 commending the success of the Pickens County School Band Program. Mary Land and the Pickens County Middle School Band were the 2003 recipient of the Magna Cum Laude Award, a prestigious International Award for Middle School Bands.

Dr. Land is published in the journals for the National Band Association, the Instrumentalist, Teaching Music (NAfME), School Band and Orchestra Magazine, and the GIA series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Commissioning projects include works by Sam Hazo, Bill Locklear, Barry Kopetz, and Christopher Tucker.

Bands under Mary Land's direction have received invitations to perform at many music conferences and clinics on multiple years, including the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, the Southern Division MENC Convention, the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference, the University of Southern Mississippi Conductors' Conference, and the University of Georgia Band Festival.

Episode 37 - Kenny Hansen Nov 27, 2017

Show notes

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 to a successful band program.
Having visitors to the band room and allowing people to help you become a better teacher and your band a better band.
The exceptional website and YouTube channel of the Blue Springs South Band and tips and thoughts for a successful social media presence.
Learning to be prepared for every possible situation as a way to reduce stress and have positive reactions during those moments when students make a mistake.

Links:

Biography:

Ken is very blessed to be teaching at Blue Springs South since 2012. Ken is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout Missouri. Bands under the direction of Ken Hansen have performed in great concert and marching venues across the country in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, Indianapolis and many other cities. Ken was named Missouri's "Most Influential Band Director" by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine in 2014. Ken has been blessed to teach in four different districts and two states in his career. He has taught band from grades 6-12 for the largest part of his career.

At Blue Springs South, Ken Hansen teaches the Jaguar Pride Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Freshman Percussion, assists Music Appreciation and assists at Delta Woods Middle School and Moreland Ridge Middle Schools.

Ken graduated from Central Methodist College in 1997 with a Bachelors of Music Education. In 1998, he graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a Masters in Music Education.

Episode 36 - Milt Allen Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

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 he learned as a young musician including the importance of having a mentor.
Why being vulnerable is unavoidable for all musicians.
Quality is attracted to quality and raising the level and expectations of the music making as they key to building a program.
"Unless you have the heart of a child and the soul of a musician you should never be in front of students." Suggestions for improving music teacher training in music education programs.
Why conducting is the most important rehearsal tool that every band director has and why you need to be the best that you can be.

Link:

Music Guerrilla

Biography:

Dr. Milt Allen has worked with hundreds of schools and thousands of students, directors and community members during his career. He is often credited as being one of the most creative, innovative, inspiring and non-traditional music educators today. Conductor, clinician, speaker, author and tireless advocate on behalf of music education, his passion for reaching more musicians at a grass-roots level drove him to leave a 26-year career in education, including 17 years in the public school, to step outside the traditional rehearsal room to create The Music Guerrilla, allowing him – and eventually others – to harness the power of music through whatever avenues available. In so doing, "Doc" is also able to create a means to reach out to programs in need, as well as partnering with music programs in third-world countries, most recently in Rwanda, Zambia and Haiti. Milt brings a rare perspective to his roles as MG President and Executive Director. His cross-genre music interests effectively combine with previous teaching positions in rural/suburban, large/small and public/parochial environments to create a truly unique ability to connect to those he serves. His experiences range from teaching beginning band in a boiler room to premiering new works at the university level, to working with young African musicians learning to play an instrument. Yet always, from Glasgow, Scotland to Zambia, Africa, and at regional, state, national and international conferences, Milt's humor, passion and experience combine to illuminate the possibilities of both music and the live art of performance. Milt's articles and insights have appeared in music, parenting and educational magazines as well as various newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angels Times and the Chicago Tribune. He is also the author of Music, Artistry, and Education: A Journey Towards Musical Growth and Enlightenment, published by Meredith Music Publications/Hal Leonard. Dr. Allen's online venture: "Milt's Music Minute," continues to gain in popularity, providing quick information and helpful hints for both music directors and parents. Ensembles under Doc's direction have received numerous awards at local, state and national levels including recognition by the United States Congress for Musical Excellence. He is a two-time high school Teacher of the Year, a Kansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, and is listed in various Who's Who publications. Other honors and distinctions include 5 awards from the Ohio State University School of Music recognizing his teaching and service and selection as a Conducting Fellow for the Eastman Wind Ensemble's 40th Anniversary. In 2008, Dr. Allen became the first civilian in the history of the United States Air Force to tour as a featured conductor (USAF Heritage of America Band) and received an Eastern Illinois University Achievement and Contribution Award.

Episode 35 - Joe Parisi Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

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 Potsdam during Joe's undergraduate study there and the lessons that he learned from those great musicians.
Increasing the number of great moments so that students want to come back and work harder.
The program at UMKC including commissioning and premiering over 50 new works and stories of commissioning composers.
The Fountain City Brass and brass banding and using competition as a way to build community.

Links:

Biography:

Joseph Parisi is a professor at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance where he conducts the Conservatory Wind Ensemble and serves as a music education and conducting faculty member. During the 2017–18 academic year, he is serving UMKC as Director of the Interdisciplinary PhD Program. Recognized as one of the most well-rounded faculty members at UMKC, Parisi has amassed an impressive career as a conductor, performing artist, pedagogue, and scholar. He has made professional appearances both nationally and abroad conducting music festivals, adjudicating ensembles, presenting clinics, research, lectures and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and China.

As Parisi embarks on his 16th year at UMKC, he continues to collaborate with many outstanding artists and composers, commission new works, and perform throughout the world. Recognized as one of America's outstanding brass conductors, Parisi is the principal conductor of Summit Brass at the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute (http://www.mendezbrassinstitute.com/) and Fountain City Brass Band (http://fcbb.net/). Both groups have a rich and distinguished history of outstanding brass playing, and under Parisi's leadership, Fountain City Brass Band leads the United States as one of the world's top brass bands. Parisi has been recognized numerous times with the Brass Band Conductor of the Year Award, and received the winning conductor award at the Scottish Open Championship. Fountain City will return to the U.K. in 2017 to perform at Brass in Concert in Gateshead and the Scottish Open Brass Band Championship in Perth. Fountain City Brass Band's latest recording, Celtic Impressions, has received wide-spread praise for its ensemble precision, excitement, and musicality.

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