Everything Band Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 24 - Andy Pease Aug 28, 2017

Show notes

An interview with conductor Andy Pease of Hartwick college and author of the Wind Band Literature blog and Wind Band Symphony Archive.

Topics:

Andy's background through his time at Columbia University as well as lessons learned while studying with Gary Hill at Arizona State.
His current position at Hartwick College, commissioning composers, and the value of "putting a face" to the music.
Learning to take risks and to let go of inhibitions as a conductor and finding balance in your programming.

Links:

Biography:

Andrew D. Pease serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Music at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, where he directs the Wind Ensemble and Brass Ensemble and teaches conducting, orchestration, and brass methods.

In the early part of his career, he helped to put the wind band back on the map in New York City. While music director of the Columbia University Wind Ensemble from 2002-2013, he began a student guest conductor program with Columbia's Teachers College and helped to start the Columbia Festival of Winds. Concurrently, he conducted the community band Columbia Summer Winds, which inaugurated its Outdoor Composition Contest under his watch.

He completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at Arizona State University, where his teachers included Gary Hill, Wayne Bailey, and William Reber. While there, he conducted large ensembles and various chamber groups, including the professional Sun Valley Chamber Winds, which he founded in 2015. His work with these groups earned him the 2016-2017 American Prize in Wind Band Conducting at the collegiate level. His other past teaching positions include South Mountain Community College (Phoenix, AZ), Ironwood High School (Glendale, AZ), and Lakewood Elementary School (Congers, NY). He has degrees from Dartmouth College, Teachers College at Columbia University, and Hofstra University. His past conducting teachers include Max Culpepper, Melinda O'Neal, Dino Anagnost, and Peter Boonshaft, as well as clinics with other leading figures in the conducting world.

Dr. Pease runs two websites dedicated to the music of the wind band. Wind Band Literature has grown immensely from its beginnings as Andy Pease's Wind Band Blog and has been used as a resource for bands around the world. The Wind Band Symphony Archive is a living, dynamic record of all known symphonies written for wind band.

Episode 23 - Tiffany Hitz Aug 21, 2017

Show notes

Back to school! This past July I had the chance to watch Tiffany Hitz in action at the UNC-Greensboro summer band camps and she is an exceptionally energetic and passionate teacher. At that moment I knew I had to have her on the podcast to talk about teaching, band music, and what composers need to to better!

Topics:

The Fairfax County School system, Tiffany's early musical experiences, and the importance of knowing the difference between and English and French horn
Finding your team, having a growth mindset, and being open to criticism and judgement
Study guides, how to choose music and Tiffany's thoughts about composers

Links:

Biography:

Tiffany Hitz teaches band at Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax County, VA. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. Mrs. Hitz has been teaching in Fairfax County since 2001, and recently completed a tenure as Secondary Fine and Performing Arts Coach for their Teacher Induction Program, Great Beginnings: The Next Generation. A member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, Mrs. Hitz was identified by the organization as an Emerging Leader and is currently on the state's New Music Grading Committee and Conference Registration Staff. She is also a member of Women Band Directors International and has been published in and served as the Elementary Editor of their official journal, Woman Conductor. This December, Mrs. Hitz was recognized by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the "Fifty Directors Who Make a Difference". In 2013, she became a National Board Certified Teacher, was selected for induction into the American School Band Director's Association, and was nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award. Mrs. Hitz currently serves as the Virginia State Chair of the National Band Association, and holds membership in the National Association for Music Education, International Horn Society, Sigma Alpha Iota: Women's Professional Music Fraternity, and Fairfax County Band Directors Association, formerly serving as the group's Co-President. Also in demand as a guest clinician and adjudicator throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, Mrs. Hitz spends her summers making music at UNCG's Summer Music Camp and the University of Maine's Summer Youth Music.

Episode 22 - Michael O'Connor Aug 14, 2017

Show notes

Michael O'Connor joins me for a fascinating discussion of 19th Century band music in the United States.

Topics:

Mike's musical background as a euphonium player
The development of te American band in the early 1800's and the types of instruments used during the 19th Century
Claudio Grafullo, Thomas Coates, Patrick Gilmore and the impact of the American Civil War on band music in America
The Golden Age of band music in the 1870's-1890's

Links:

Biography:

Dr. Michael O'Connor is a native of central New York but now makes his home in Jupiter, Florida. He is an Associate Professor of Music History at Palm Beach Atlantic University, but in his first career, he was the euphonium player for the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus Band. After a short taste of public-school band directing, he turned to musicology, finishing a PhD at Florida State University. He combined his interest in historical music with a love of performing by founding two period-instrument bands. His Civil-War-era band is The Coates Brass Band, and his post-war band is Newberry's Victorian Cornet Band. Both groups have CDs released on the MSR Classics label. He also performs modern British brass band music as baritonist in the Orchid City Brass Band.

Intro Music: "Cottage by the Sea Quickstep" by Thomas Coates after a tune by John Rogers Thomas (1850's). Outro Music: "Wilking Quickstep" by Thomas Coates (1880's)

Recordings courtesy of Michael O'Connor and the Newberry Victorian Cornet Band

Episode 21 - Christopher Stark Aug 10, 2017

Show notes

Composer Chris Stark joins me to reflect upon the legacy of David Maslanka. Chris studied with David for a year and shares some of his memories before discussing his own exciting career.

Topics:

David Maslanka as a teacher, composer, and man and the lessons that Chris learned while his student
Chris' background in Montana and his thoughts about writing for wind ensemble
Writing the music for the upcoming movie Novitiate and advice for young composers

Links:

Biography:

A 2017 Guggenheim Fellow, Christopher Stark (b. 1980, St. Ignatius, MT) is a fast-rising and dynamic young composer equally at ease in the diverse mediums of contemporary classical, electronic, and film. The New York Times has called his music, "fetching and colorful," and he has received prestigious awards from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, Chamber Music America, and ASCAP. In 2012, he was a resident composer at Civitella Ranieri, a fifteenth-century castle in Umbria, Italy, and in June of 2016 he was in-residence at Aaron Copland's former home in the Hudson Valley. Recent highlights have included performances at the 2016 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and at the Whitney Museum of American Art as part of the 2016 NY Philharmonic Biennial. Stark currently resides in St. Louis where he is Assistant Professor of Music Composition at Washington University in St. Louis.

Closing music: "Augenblick" by Christopher Stark. Recording by Jerry Junkin and the University of Texas Wind Ensemble.

Episode 20 - Gerard Schwarz Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

Iconic American conductor Gerard Schwarz offers his insights about music and conducting gained from an illustrious career at the pinnacle of the classical music world.

Topics:

Maestro Schwarz' musical beginnings, the American Brass Quintet, and the New York Philharmonic
Four steps to success: Talent, Hard Work, Say Yes, Stay Positive
Tips for conductors including thoughts about becoming more artistic, even with young ensembles and score preparation
The importance of listening to learn styles and listening to your own old performances to gain insight on the music
The All Star Orchestra and the Khan Academy
Keep analyzing yourself and the perception of your career to keep improving.
The conducting institute at the Eastern Music Festival
Jerry's Experiences with conducting wind band, particularly the Marine Band
Schwarz' new book Behind the Baton: An American Icon Talks Music
The relevance of music in modern society and the importance of music in education

Links:

Biography:

Internationally recognized for his moving performances, innovative programming and extensive catalog of recordings, American conductor Gerard Schwarz serves as Music Director of The All-Star Orchestra an ensemble of top musicians from America's leading orchestras featured in twelve television programs that have aired throughout the United States on public television, worldwide by internet streaming and is the basis for their Khan Academy education platform that has already reached over 4 million students. As in baseball, Schwarz created an "all-star" team of top musical athletes to encourage a greater understanding and enjoyment of classical music. All programs are now released by Naxos on DVD and are awarded four Emmy Awards and ASCAP Award. Schwarz also serves as Music Director of the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina and Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony. His considerable discography of over 350 showcases his collaborations with some of the world's greatest orchestras including Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony, Berlin Radio Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Tokyo Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Symphony and Seattle Symphony among others. Schwarz began his professional career as co-principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and has held leadership positions with Mostly Mozart Festival, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and New York Chamber Symphony. As a guest conductor of both opera and symphony, he has worked with many of the world's finest orchestras and opera companies. Schwarz, a renowned interpreter of 19th century German, Austrian and Russian repertoire, in addition to his noted work with contemporary American composers, completed his final season as music director of the Seattle Symphony in 2011 after an acclaimed 26 years a period of dramatic artistic growth for the ensemble. In his nearly five decades as a respected classical musician and conductor, Schwarz has received hundreds of honors and accolades including Emmy Awards, GRAMMY nominations, ASCAP Awards and the Ditson Conductor's Award. He was the first American named Conductor of the Year by Musical America and has received numerous honorary doctorates. The City of Seattle and named the street alongside the Benaroya Hall "Gerard Schwarz Place.

Episode 19 - Andrew Boysen Jr. Jul 31, 2017

Show notes

Composer and conductor Andrew Boysen Jr. joins me to discuss his career and offer his thoughts on music education.

Topics:

Andrew's background, early experiences as a teacher, and the transition when taking over a program
Andrew's early start as a composer and the use of notation software to compose vs. pencil and paper
The band program at the University of New Hampshire
Thoughts and advice for young teachers and challenges facing music and music education

Links:

Biography:

Andrew Boysen, Jr. is presently a professor in the music department at the University of New Hampshire, where he conducts the wind symphony and teaches conducting and composition. Under his leadership, the UNH wind symphony has released six recordings and been invited to perform at regional conventions of the College Band Directors National Association and National Association for Music Education. Previously, Boysen taught at Indiana State University and Cary-Grove (IL) High School, and was the music director and conductor of the Deerfield Community Concert Band. He remains active as a guest conductor and clinician, appearing with high school, university and festival ensembles across the United States, Great Britain, and Australia.

Episode 18 - Andrew Hitz Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

Formerly of the Boston Brass, Andrew Hitz is currently a freelance musician, clinician, podcaster, and speaker. In this episode he joins me for a discussion about tuba and offers his perspective on band, teaching, and the future of music education.

Topics:

Andrew's background and his new book series The Band Director's Guides
Starting beginners on tuba and tips on posture and breathing.
Having a characteristic sound for your instrument
Thoughts about how music education needs to fight for survival and relevance
Managing time and exploring creative opportunities early in a career

Links:

Biography:

Andrew Hitz is an internationally renowned soloist, clinician and speaker having appeared in over 40 states and 30 countries including Japan, Brazil, Russia and Singapore. In 2014 he ended a 14 year tenure as the tuba player for Boston Brass. Andrew has also appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Alarm Will Sound and the Marine Band of Mexico. As an Educational Ambassador for Jupiter Band Instruments, Andrew has appeared all over the world as both a teacher and performer. He has presented at over 20 state music educator conferences and taught master classes at some of the finest music schools in the world including Juilliard, the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore. Andrew currently hosts two podcasts. "The Brass Junkies" is a podcast interviewing the best brass players in the world. "The Entrepreneurial Musician" features interviews with some of the most successful people in the music business. Andrew is also the author of "A Band Director's Guide To Everything Tuba: A Collection of Interviews with the Experts" which features interviews with Sam Pilafian, Pat Sheridan, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and others. The second volume, "A Band Director's Guide to Everything Trombone: A Collection of Interviews with the Experts", features interviews with Joe Alessi, Harry Watters, Ralph Sauer and others. Andrew is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Mockingbird Foundation, a non-profit organization which has awarded over $1 million in grants to help bring music education to underserved populations. Andrew lives in the Washington, DC area with his son Nicholas, his dog Izabella, and his wife Tiffany, who he thinks is the best band director in the country. He has also seen the band Phish 184 times. No, really.

Episode 17 - Patrick Vandehey Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

A legend in the state of Oregon, Patrick Vandehey joins me to discuss believing in music education with passion.

Topics:

Pat's background, including his time as a rock and roll musician and an anecdote about a very bad school administrator
The importance of a strong performance background and how experience as a player was his most valuable asset for his success.
His high school programs and then his time at George Fox University and his move to Portland State.
Thoughts about the future of music education
The marching arts and competition in music education

Links:

Biography:

Patrick Vandehey is an Associate Professor of Music at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Prior to the PSU position he taught 14 years at George Fox University, a small private liberal arts college in Newberg, Oregon and 23 years teaching in area public high schools. Mr. Vandehey received his Bachelors of Art and Bachelors of Music from the University of Washington, and a Masters of Teaching Music at Portland State University. Mr. Vandehey is a Past-President of the Oregon Band Directors Association and serves as chairman of the Adjudication Training Board of OBDA. He served for two years as the Band Liaison to the Oregon Schools Activity Association. He has served twice on the Oregon Music Education Association's Board as Band Chair and served on the OMEA Executive board as President in 2005-2006. In 1993 Mr. Vandehey was the State, Regional and National recipient of the ASBDA- Stanbury Award for Outstanding Young Band Director. In 2000 he was inducted into the Band World Legion of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Also in 2000 he was named one of Oregon's top ten Music Educators by the Oregon Music Educators Association in the Teaching Music Magazine. In 2002 Mr. Vandehey received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. He is a founding member of the Oregon Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and in 2006 was inducted into the Northwest Bandmaster's Association. Mr. Vandehey was named the Oregon's Outstanding Music Educator in 2010 by the Oregon Music Educators Association. Mr. Vandehey is married to Kristin, his wife of 40 years and they have two daughters, both of whom are educators.

Episode 16 - Carol Brittin Chambers Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

Texas composer Carol Brittin Chambers talks about writing marching band shows and the twists and turns of her fascinating musical career.

Topics:

Carol's background as a trumpet player and pianist
Teaching good fundamentals and skills and teaching in Texas
Moving from being a full time band director to a full time composer
Writing marching shows
Carol's concert band music and her creative process

Links:

Biography:

Carol Brittin Chambers is currently on the music faculty at Texas Lutheran University. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she is the owner and composer of Aspenwood Music. She also maintains an active performance schedule, including appearances with the Mid-Texas and San Antonio Symphonies.

Chambers is commissioned each year to compose and arrange works for concert band, marching band, and various other ensembles. She has arranged and orchestrated marching shows for numerous high school bands across the country, as well as The Crossmen Drum Corps. Her concert works are published under Carl Fischer, RBC, and Aspenwood Music. Before coming to TLU, Chambers taught middle school and high school band for many years in the North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX. She also taught private lessons in NEISD. Chambers received a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University. She studied under Vincent Cichowicz, John Paynter, Arnold Jacobs, James Sudduth, and Will Streider.

Episode 15 - Michael Colburn Jul 03, 2017

Show notes

My special guest for my first Fourth of July episode is Michael Colburn, former director of the United States Marine Corps Band ("The President's Own") and current band director at Butler University. Mike joins me to discuss his time in the Marines, his current position at Butler, and the importance of being ready for any opportunity that might come your way.

Topics:

Mike's background as a euphonium player and son of a high school band director
Performance vs music education degrees and the need for musicians to be entrepreneurial
A deep discussion into the Marine Band including auditions, requirements, it's mission, and a few anecdotes from Mike's time as director
Mike's transition to becoming a conductor and the lessons he's brought to Butler University from his time in the Marines.
Working with composers and his thoughts about the future of music education.
His favorite work and performing Stars and Stripes Forever thousands of times.

Links:

Biography:

Michael Colburn joined the faculty of Butler University as Director of Bands in August, 2014. In addition to conducting the Butler University Wind Ensemble, he offers instruction in conducting, euphonium, and the history and literature of the wind band. Before coming to Butler, Colburn served for 27 years in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, where he held a variety of positions including Principal Euphonium (1991-1996), Assistant Director (1996-2004), and Director (2004-2014). As Director, Colburn was music advisor to White House and regularly conducted the Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra at the Executive Mansion and at Presidential Inaugurations. He was promoted to Colonel by President George W. Bush in a private Oval Office ceremony in 2007, and in 2014 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Gen James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Medal of Honor by the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Board of Directors.

Colburn is an active guest conductor and clinician. He regularly conducts bands at numerous state and regional festivals and has guest conducted several professional and university bands and wind ensembles. Committed to the creation of new music for winds, Colburn serves as the Co-Chair of the Sousa-Ostwald Award, a prize sponsored by the American Bandmasters Association in order to promote new works for wind band/ensemble. He has served as an adjudicator for the Sudler Award, the Barlow Endowment, Music for All, and the Col. George S. Howard award for excellence in military bands. Colburn is a member of Washington D.C.'s prestigious Gridiron and Alfalfa Clubs, the American Bandmasters Association, and a board member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation

Recording of Stars and Stripes Forever by John Phillip Sousa (http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Common

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