Dr. Andrea Brown is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. At UM, Dr. Brown conducts several ensembles including the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band. 

Topics include:

- Andrea discusses her experiences working as the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Michigan and making the transition to leading ensembles at the University of Maryland 

- Designing shows for marching band

- Promoting diversity of gender in the field of music education

Links: 

Andrea’s UM page: https://music.umd.edu/directory/andrea-brown

UM Bands: https://music.umd.edu/ensembles/bands

Bio: 

Dr. Andrea E. Brown was appointed the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in 2018. In this position she conducts the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and serves as the Director of Athletic Bands in which she leads the “Mighty Sound of Maryland” and all aspects of the athletic band program. Brown is formerly a member of the conducting faculty at the University of Michigan where she served as the assistant director of bands. In this position, she was the conductor of the Campus Bands and director of the Campus Band Chamber Ensembles, associate director of the Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, director of the Men's Basketball Band, guest conductor with the Symphony Band and Concert Band, taught conducting, and was a faculty sponsor of a College of Engineering Multidisciplinary Design Project team researching conducting pedagogy technology. Previously Brown was the director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta where she also led research in conducting pedagogy technology and was a member of the Oxford Program faculty. She is a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the US, Europe, and Asia. 

Brown completed a DMA in instrumental conducting at UNC Greensboro where she was a student of John Locke and Kevin Geraldi. While at UNCG, she was named Outstanding Teaching Assistant and was both guest conductor and principal horn on UNCG Wind Ensemble's fireworks! and finish line! CDs released on the Equilibrium label. Brown has also had several rehearsal guides published in the popular GIA Publications series, "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" and has presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Music For All Summer Symposium, the Yamaha Bläserklasse in Schlitz, Germany, the International Computer Music Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the College Music Society International Conference in Sydney, Australia, and multiple times at the College Band Directors National Association National Conference.

A proponent of inclusion and equity issues in the music profession, Brown is a frequent guest speaker on these topics. She currently serves on the CBDNA Gender and Ethnic Minority Committee, and as a member of the recently formed Drum Corps International Women’s In Step Committee. Brown is also the founder of “Women Rising to the Podium” - an online group of 2300 members supporting and celebrating women band directors. She also serves the chair of the Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity Graduate Conducting Grant.

Brown currently serves as a brass consultant for Phantom Regiment and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. She has been on the brass and conducting instructional staff of the DCI World Champion Phantom Regiment since 2004. Other marching organizations with which she has instructed are the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, Carolina Crown, Kennesaw Mountain High School (GA), Father Ryan High School (TN), and McGavock High School (TN).

As a performer, Brown was a member of the AA Brass Quintet, which won the International Brass Quintet Competition hosted by Fred Mills at the University of Georgia. She performed with the horn sections of the Boston Brass All Stars Big Band, North Carolina Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. Brown has studied brass performance and pedagogy with Abigail Pack, Jack Masarie, Freddy Martin, J.D. Shaw, Dottie Bennett, Randy Kohlenberg, Richard Steffen, and Ed Bach.

Originally from Milan, Tennessee, she is a graduate of Austin Peay State University where she was named "Outstanding Student in Music." Brown earned a master of music degree in horn performance and a master of music education degree with a cognate in instrumental conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to her position at Georgia Tech, Brown was the assistant director of bands at Austin Peay State University and taught public school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dallas, Texas. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and CBDNA. She was awarded the Rose of Honor as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds. 

Topics include:

- Colonel Holtan shares lessons learned from his time in the Army Band 

- Differences between studying at the Army School of Music and a four-year university

- Selecting repertoire for diverse ensembles 

- Motivating musicians in your ensemble

Links: 

Maryland Winds: https://marylandwinds.com

Bio: 

Colonel Timothy J. Holtan retired in 2017 as the senior military musician in the Department of Defense. Col. Holtan’s final command was as the 10th Leader and Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He holds the distinction of being the only officer to command all three of the Army’s premier bands, which include the U.S. Army Field Band and the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point. Col. Holtan received numerous military awards and honors during his 28½-year career, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Col. Holtan is a graduate of Bismarck (ND) High School and is a former school music educator in Montana. A clinician for Conn-Selmer, Inc. and Artistic Director of the newly formed professional wind band The Maryland Winds, he is a strong advocate for music education, enjoys substitute teaching, and is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. Col. Holtan has presented concerts and clinics in all 50 states, Canada, Japan, the U.S. Virgin Islands and across Europe.

In 2000, Col. Holtan was selected for the Army’s “Training with Industry” program. He served as the Director of Operations and Associate Conductor of the Dallas Winds, while concurrently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of North Texas. Col. Holtan holds music education degrees from Montana State University and the University of Montana, and has pursued additional conducting studies with Elizabeth Green, H. Robert Reynolds, John Paynter, Larry Rachleff, Jerry Junkin and Eugene Corporon.

Col. Holtan’s ensembles have been seen on many nationally televised broadcasts and diverse stages such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, DAR Constitution Hall, Mormon Tabernacle, Myerson Symphony Center, and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, as well as for the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Under his leadership and after a 44-year absence, the West Point Band reestablished a partnership with the New York Philharmonic, which resulted in five Lincoln Center joint concert performances. Col. Holtan also led the West Point Band in the Emmy-nominated “Marina at West Point” PBS television production that has reached over 180 million viewers.

Col. Holtan has been honored as Alumnus of the Year by Bismarck State College and was inducted into the Bismarck High School Hall of Fame. Col. Holtan served for twelve years on the National Band Association Board of Directors and has received multiple Citations of Excellence. In 2011, he was the University of Montana’s School of Visual and Performing Arts “Odyssey of the Stars” honoree and was inducted into their Hall of Honor. Col. Holtan holds membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and serves on the Advisory Committee to the Midwest Clinic.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds. 

Topics include:

- Colonel Holtan shares lessons learned from his time in the Army Band 

- Differences between studying at the Army School of Music and a four-year university

- Selecting repertoire for diverse ensembles 

- Motivating musicians in your ensemble

Links: 

Maryland Winds: https://marylandwinds.com

Bio: 

Colonel Timothy J. Holtan retired in 2017 as the senior military musician in the Department of Defense. Col. Holtan’s final command was as the 10th Leader and Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He holds the distinction of being the only officer to command all three of the Army’s premier bands, which include the U.S. Army Field Band and the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point. Col. Holtan received numerous military awards and honors during his 28½-year career, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Col. Holtan is a graduate of Bismarck (ND) High School and is a former school music educator in Montana. A clinician for Conn-Selmer, Inc. and Artistic Director of the newly formed professional wind band The Maryland Winds, he is a strong advocate for music education, enjoys substitute teaching, and is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. Col. Holtan has presented concerts and clinics in all 50 states, Canada, Japan, the U.S. Virgin Islands and across Europe.

In 2000, Col. Holtan was selected for the Army’s “Training with Industry” program. He served as the Director of Operations and Associate Conductor of the Dallas Winds, while concurrently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of North Texas. Col. Holtan holds music education degrees from Montana State University and the University of Montana, and has pursued additional conducting studies with Elizabeth Green, H. Robert Reynolds, John Paynter, Larry Rachleff, Jerry Junkin and Eugene Corporon.

Col. Holtan’s ensembles have been seen on many nationally televised broadcasts and diverse stages such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, DAR Constitution Hall, Mormon Tabernacle, Myerson Symphony Center, and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, as well as for the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Under his leadership and after a 44-year absence, the West Point Band reestablished a partnership with the New York Philharmonic, which resulted in five Lincoln Center joint concert performances. Col. Holtan also led the West Point Band in the Emmy-nominated “Marina at West Point” PBS television production that has reached over 180 million viewers.

Col. Holtan has been honored as Alumnus of the Year by Bismarck State College and was inducted into the Bismarck High School Hall of Fame. Col. Holtan served for twelve years on the National Band Association Board of Directors and has received multiple Citations of Excellence. In 2011, he was the University of Montana’s School of Visual and Performing Arts “Odyssey of the Stars” honoree and was inducted into their Hall of Honor. Col. Holtan holds membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and serves on the Advisory Committee to the Midwest Clinic.

This episode features my interview with Dr. Peter Boonshaft. Dr. Boonshaft, Director of Education for Jupiter Brand Instruments and KHS America Academic Alliance, is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. Dr. Boonshaft is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music. Dr. Boonshaft is also a Spokesperson for Alfred Music.  

Topics include:

- Peter’s inspiration for starting his work as an author with writing “Teaching Music With Passion” 

- Creating musical “pearls” in every rehearsal 

- Defining and inspiring musical excellence 

- Teacher motivation and inspiration

Links: 

Boonshaft’s Blog: https://academicalliance.com/boonshafts-blog/

Bio: 

Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak and conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education," Dr. Boonshaft is Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments, and his weekly “Boonshaft’s Blog" for music educators continues to inspire teachers everywhere. He has received official proclamations from the Governors of five states and a Certificate of Appreciation from former President Ronald Reagan, as well as performing for former President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, and for Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has been awarded membership in Pi Kappa Lambda and Alpha Chi, as well as twice receiving the University of Hartford Regent's Award and that University's Outstanding Music Educator Award. His honors also include being selected three times as a National Endowment for the Arts "Artist in Residence" three times awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, receiving the Al G. Wright Award from the Women Band Directors International, and being selected for the Center for Scholarly Research and Academic Excellence at Hofstra University.

He holds Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude), Master of Music Education in Conducting, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. Dr. Boonshaft was also awarded a Connecticut General Fellowship for study at the Kodály Musical Training Institute, from which he holds a Certificate. He is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Boonshaft was on the faculty of Moravian College and the University of Hartford. He was Founder and Music Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Honors Concert Band and the Connecticut Valley Youth Wind Ensemble. In addition, he held the post of Music Director and Conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony of Boston.

Dr. Boonshaft is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise, as well as his first book for teachers of other disciplines, Teaching with Passion, Purpose and Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s new beginning method book series, Sound Innovations for Band and Sound Innovations for Strings, as well as Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Young Concert Band, Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band, and Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Advanced Concert Band. In addition, he is the author of Vaclav Nelhybel: His Life and Works, the only authorized biography of the composer, a contributing author of The Music Director’s Cookbook: Creative Recipes for a Successful Program, and author of articles for Instrumentalist Magazine, the National Band Association Journal, Teaching Music, and Band Director's Guide. Dr. Boonshaft also held the post of Band/Wind Ensemble Editor for the School Music News. Active as a proponent of new literature for concert band, he has commissioned and conducted over forty world premieres by such notable composers as Eric Ewazen, W. Francis McBeth, Johan de Meij, Fisher Tull, H. Owen Reed, Vaclav Nelhybel, David Gillingham, Philip Sparke, Satoshi Yagisawa, Rossano Galante, Sam Hazo, Andrew Boysen, Brian Hogg, Robert W. Smith, David Holsinger, Stephen Melillo, Roland Barrett, and Jared Spears. Among the soloists who have appeared in performance with Dr. Boonshaft are John Marcellus, Maynard Ferguson, Harvey Phillips, The Boston Brass, Eugene Rousseau, Marianne Gedigian, Ed Shaughnessy, Lynn Klock, Don Butterfield, The Dallas Brass, We Are The Mummies, Lance LaDuke, Dave Steinmeyer and the United States Air Force "Airmen of Note," Chester Schmitz, and the Vienna Schubert Trio.

Extremely active as a guest conductor, clinician and speaker for conferences, festivals, concerts and workshops nationally and internationally, he has guest conducted the NAfME (The National Association for Music Education) National High School Honors Band, NAfME All-Eastern Band, NAfME All-Northwest Band, NAfME All-Eastern Directors Band, Goldman Memorial Band, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, U.S. Marine Band New Orleans, Western International Band Clinic, Prague Castle Guard/Czech Police Symphonic Band, U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools: Europe Honors Music Fest Band, and the Association of Concert Bands National Conference Band. In addition, he is an adjudicator and clinician for the Music For All/Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, and serves as Chief Adjudicator for the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival He has served as a speaker for the Canadian Music Educators Association National Convention, NAfME National Conference, American Band College, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Music For All/Bands and Orchestras of America Symposium, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Samuel Barber Institute for Music Educators, Music Education Center of America, EARCOS Conferences in China and Thailand, Singapore Ministry of Education Band Conference, KIPP National School Summit, NESA Council of Overseas Schools Conferences in Thailand and the Philippines, and as keynote speaker for the NAfME Northwest Division Conference, NAfME Southern Division Conference, European Music Educators Convention, National Convention of the American String Teachers Association, National Convention of the American School Band Directors Association, ACDA Western Division Conference, East Asia Regional Council of Schools, Maryborough Music Conference of Australia, National Conference of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, The Sydney (Australia) Music Education Conference, and numerous international, national, state and regional music education conferences.

This episode features my interview with Mr. Ryan Nowlin who is a well-regarded composer, educator, and conductor. Ryan is the Assistant Director for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and is a co-author of the famous “Tradition Of Excellence” method series. In our conversation, Ryan talks about his work as a composer and how he approaches working with ensembles. 

Ryan Nowlin’s appearance on this podcast is in an unofficial capacity and does not constitute or imply endorsement by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the U.S. Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government

Topics include:

- How Ryan started his work as a composer

- Ryan’s thoughts on composing music

- The process involved in writing a method book

- Repertoire quality and selection 

Links: 

Ryan’s catalogue at KJOS Music: https://kjos.com/catalog/person/view/id/1284/

Bio: 

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ryan Nowlin holds both his B.M. and M.M. degrees from Bowling Green State University (Ohio). He has taught instrumental music for ten years, most recently in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District (Ohio), where he served as Director of Bands. Mr. Nowlin was also an instructor in conducting and band scoring at Bowling Green State University and has served as a staff arranger for the BGSU Falcon Marching Band.

Mr. Nowlin is an active composer and arranger, and has been commissioned to write for Grade 1 through Grade 6 concert bands, brass quintet, tuba quartet, horn ensemble, solo horn and piano, and choir. "A Christmas Fanfare" is featured as the opening piece on The Tower Brass's CD Snowed In... Again. "Elegy (for Herbert A. Spencer)" was premiered in 2005 at the 37th International Horn Society Summer Symposium by Grammy Award Winner Andrew Pelletier. Several of his works have been heard on national radio and television broadcasts, including his arrangement of “America the Beautiful” for the 2014 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in New York City. He has co-authored a band method called Tradition of Excellence; a band director's textbook called Teaching Band with Excellence; and a series of music theory, ear training, and history workbooks called Excellence in Theory, and Excellence in Chamber Music with noted author, composer, and educator Bruce Pearson. In 2010, Mr. Nowlin joined "The President's Own" United States Marine Band as staff arranger before being appointed to his current position of Assistant Director in 2014. In this role, Mr. Nowlin regularly conducts the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra in the Washington D.C. area, at the White House, and across the United States.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Michael Haithcock who is the Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. During our conversation, Michael shares his thoughts on ways to engage students in rehearsal and leading a program to musical excellence. 

Topics include:

- Transitioning into a program that’s strong in tradition

- Maintaining excellence in a program

- Bringing music to life through score study

- Repertoire quality and selection

- Helping students discover expressive elements of music 

Links: 

Michael’s University of Michigan page: https://smtd.umich.edu/about/faculty-profiles/michael-haithcock/

University of Michigan Symphony Band YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIL7RYgu4qViyVCL69F8zTg

Bio: 

Michael Haithcock assumed his duties as director of bands and professor of music (conducting) at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2001 following twenty-three years on the faculty of Baylor University. Following in the footsteps of William D. Revelli and H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Haithcock conducts the internationally renowned University of Michigan Symphony Band, guides the acclaimed graduate band and wind ensemble conducting program, and provides administrative leadership for all aspects of the University of Michigan’s diverse and historic band program.

Ensembles under Haithcock’s guidance have received a wide array of critical acclaim for their high artistic standards of performance and repertoire. These accolades have come through concerts at national and state conventions, performances in major concert venues, and recordings on the Albany, Arsis, and Equilibrium labels. Haithcock was selected to conduct the world premiere of Daron Hagen’s Bandanna, an opera for voice and wind band, commissioned by the College Band Directors’ National Association. He is a leader in commissioning and premiering new works for concert band.

Haithcock has earned the praise of both composers and conductors for his innovative approaches to developing the wind ensemble repertoire and programming. Haithcock is in constant demand as a guest conductor and as a resource person for symposiums and workshops in a variety of instructional settings as well as festival and all-state appearances throughout the country.

A graduate of East Carolina University – where he received the 1996 Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Music – and Baylor University, Haithcock has done additional study at a variety of conducting workshops including the Herbert Blomstedt Orchestral Conducting Institute. The Instrumentalist, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, the School Musician, the Southwest Music Educator, and WINDS magazine have published his articles on conducting and wind literature.

This episode features my interview with my friend and mentor, Mr. Dennis Glocke. Dennis has recently retired as the Director of Concert Bands at Penn State University where he has led several ensembles and taught courses in conducting. In our conversation, Dennis shares many lessons on music-making and teaching that he has learned over his career as a music educator. 

Topics include:

- Dennis discusses his career as a music educator and conductor 

- Inspiring students through the creation on significant musical experiences 

- Repertoire quality and selection 

- Making music come to life 

-Growing as a conductor, musician, and educator

Links: 

Denis’s Penn State page: https://music.psu.edu/faculty/dennis-glocke

Dennis conducting the Penn State Symphonic Band: https://youtu.be/Q9hfWf4j3CI

Bio: 

Dennis Glocke was appointed director of concert bands at Penn State in 1996.  He received degrees in conducting from Northwestern University, where he studied with John P. Paynter, and in music education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where his principal conducting teachers were H. Robert Reynolds and Eugene Corporon. 

 Prior to joining the Penn State faculty, Professor Glocke was associate director of bands at the University of Michigan, director of bands at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and a band director in the Oconomowoc (WI) public schools.

Professor Glocke is frequently invited to serve as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States.  His ensembles have performed at the Eastern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference, and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.  The Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble was invited to open the 2005 Flicorno D’Oro international band festival in Riva del Garda, Italy, the first American band to be so honored.  He has also conducted in some of the country’s finest performing venues, including the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas), Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh), the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater (Chautauqua, NY), The Music Center at Strathmore (North Bethesda, MD), and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (New York).

In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lori Schwartz Reichl. Lori is an author, clinician, and music educator who is well known for her contributions to publications such as In Tune Magazine and Teaching Music Magazine. In this interview, Lori shares her ideas on setting up students for success and incorporating diversity into musical experiences. 

Topics include:

- Lori talks about her work and creating professional development materials for music teachers 

- Establishing routines to enhance the music-making process 

- The importance of diversity when programming repertoire

Links: 

Lori’s website: https://makingkeychanges.com/

Lori’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3AEynWNEGTwbwU0vaq-OA

Bio: 

Lori Schwartz Reichl (b. 1978) is a champion of mentorship and motivation in education. She strives daily to "make key changes" in education for all students, educators, and supporters. Lori's culturally diverse experiences of building and maintaining secondary band programs in rural, Title I, and corrective action schools have transformed her career into serving as an active adjudicator, author, clinician, conductor, instructor, and speaker.

Lori has enjoyed serving as a guest conductor in Europe, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota for numerous honor band festivals and new music reading sessions. She has presented for music education associations including: DMEA (Delaware), KMEA (Kansas), PMEA (Pennsylvania), MMEA (Maryland), OMEA (Ohio), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), NAfME's Eastern Division, South Dakota Bandmasters Association, WBDI (Women Band Directors International) and prepared countless K-12 professional development and collegiate sessions. She has been interviewed for several music education podcasts and often serves as host, interviewer, moderator, or panelist for educational programs.

Lori is the author of the “Tools for Educators” series entitled “Key Changes: Refreshing Your Music Program” published monthly in the teacher's guide of In Tune Magazine where she provides resources to enhance the music classroom and rehearsal space. She also serves as a journalist for Teaching Music Magazine. With more than 60 published educational pieces, Lori's work is featured each month as part of NAfME's Music in a Minuet Blog, frequently appears in The Woman Conductor Journal, and is routinely republished in many state music education association journals and newsletters. Her articles, "Professionalism in Teaching" and "Make It Stick!", were highlighted as two of NAfME's "Top 10 Most-Read Music Education Blogs of 2019". Lori designed her mentoring publications into a graduate course that she instructs annually through The University of the Arts in Pennsylvania appropriately entitled "Making Key Changes: Refresh Your Music Program". She also receives residences at universities to mentor and motivate pre-service teachers. 

As the Head of Engagement for ICD (Institute for Composer Diversity), Lori is dedicated to the celebration, education, and advocacy of music created by composers of historically underreprested groups. In Maryland, Lori serves as Artistic and Executive Director of the Regional Repertory Wind Ensemble, Coordinator of Howard County's Secondary Solo & Ensemble Festival, and Conductor of Howard County's Middle School Honor Band. For Women Band Directors International, she serves as a member of the Mentoring Committee and State Chair for Maryland. Lori has served as a high school band director for American Music Abroad (2006-2010), conductor of the Howard County Middle School Gifted and Talented Band (2016-2017), and supervisor of music education interns for Towson University (2017-2018).

As a saxophone player, Lori grew-up in Manchester, Pennsylvania and attended the Northeastern School District in York County. She was fortunate to have her father, Frank Schwartz, as her elementary and high school band director. She credits her large extended family, and especially her father and mother, for her love of music and teaching. In 2001, Lori began her career as the first full-time band director of Daniel Boone Area Middle School in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where she received the Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2006 she moved to Maryland and began her work with Title I Schools. As band director of Oakland Mills Middle School, Lori was a finalist for the 2011 Howard County Teacher of the Year Award as well as a finalist for the 2013 Howard County Parents for School Music Educator of the Year Award. Under her baton, the Oakland Mills Bands received consecutive superior ratings at county, state, and regional adjudications, were presented an Honorary Resolution from the Howard County Council, and performed as the featured middle school band at the 2014 Maryland Music Educators Conference. Lori was asked to serve as band director and create the music program for Thomas Viaduct Middle School (2014-2016), Howard County’s newest secondary school. In its opening year, the band received superior ratings at county and regional festivals and was invited to perform at the state band festival.

Lori received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University, Master of Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, and Administrator I Certification through McDaniel College.

Lori resides near Baltimore, Maryland with her non-musical husband, her 4-year-old daughter who is Broadway bound, and her 2-year-old son who is destined to be a percussionist.

Lori's motto is "Embrace your uniqueness!" 

This episode features my interview with Theresa Hoover Ducassoux. Theresa is a well-known music educator and writer with her blog, Off the Beaten Path: A Music Teacher’s Journey. In our conversation, Theresa shares many of her ideas on integrating technology into the classroom and student empowerment. 

Topics: 

- Technology integration into the classroom and concert hall

- Ideas on remote teaching during the Covid-19 Pandemic 

- Empowering students in the classroom 

Links: 

Off the Beaten Path - A Music Teacher’s Journey: https://offthebeatenpathinmusic.com/

Follow Theresa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalTheresa

Bio: 

Theresa Hoover Ducassoux is a music educator, speaker, and writer. She is an advocate for student voice in the music room and works to empower students throughout their musical experiences and help teachers transform their classrooms to become student-centered learning environments. 

Currently, Theresa teaches middle school band in Northern Virginia, opening a brand new middle school in 2019. Prior to moving to Virginia in 2016, she taught instrumental, general, and vocal music in a variety of settings in Pennsylvania for 13 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in wind conducting from West Chester University, both in Pennsylvania. 

Theresa is a recognized presenter and clinician at conferences at the local, regional, and national level including the International Music Education Summit, the Virginia Society for Technology in Education, and several state music education conferences. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and was selected as a member of the Google Certified Innovator program, participating in the London 2019 cohort. 

In addition to her school teaching, Theresa was the founding director of the Chester County Youth Wind Ensemble and currently serves on the staff of the Virginia Winds Academy. She has also been the guest conductor for several elementary and middle school ensembles in Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

Theresa’s writing has been featured on websites including the NAfME Music in a Minuet blog, EdTechTeam, Band Directors Talk Shop, and We Are Teachers, as well as on her own blog, Off the Beaten Path: A Music Teacher’s Journey. Theresa is also the co-author of Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in the Music Room, set to release in the summer of 2020. 

When not teaching you can find Theresa curled up with a good book, on the running trail, traveling to visit family and friends, or spending time with her dog Dizzy. 

This episode features my conversation with Dr. Scott Watson. In addition to being an acclaimed composer for band and orchestra, Scott is well known for his work as an educator, author, and clinician. 

Topics include: 

- Scott’s approach to composing

- Composing for student musicians

- Integrating technology into a music class

- Teaching young instrumentalists 

Links: 

Scott’s website: https://www.scottwatsonmusic.com/

Scott’s youTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlWx0jwO3JEmbBR_P3nhbA

Bio: 

Dr. Scott Watson received his B.S., Music Education from West Chester University and his M.M and D.M.A., Composition from Temple University and has taught music for 30+ years in the Parkland School District (Allentown, Pennsylvania) where he currently coordinates a large, vibrant elementary band/strings program and teaches several popular, creativity-infused high school music electives. Watson was recognized by the Parkland School District in 2015 with a Parkland Pride Award for outstanding achievement, and in 2020 he was awarded the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 10 Citation of Excellence in Teaching Award.

An award-winning and frequently commissioned composer, Dr. Watson’s output includes close to 90 published works at all levels for concert band and orchestra. Watson’s music, which has been performed around the world and in the U.S. at such prestigious venues as Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, the White House, and the Midwest Clinic (Chicago), has been described as “outstanding...with beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies" (The Instrumentalist) and "written with supreme craft" (Percussive Arts Society Percussive Notes). His music has received awards and recognition from the American Composers Forum, the American Music Center, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Percussive Arts Society, and others. Recent commissions include works for: Composers and Schools in Concert (for a consortium of 12 university and high school bands across the U.S.), Magic Valley Symphony Orchestra (Twin Falls, ID), Albemarle County (VA) Middle School Honors Band, MusicAlliance Honor Band Camp (Cleveland, OH), the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, and many school ensembles. Watson is an exclusive composer for Alfred Publications and a contributor and clinician for the Sound Innovations band series. He, along with co-authors Brian Beck and Robert Sheldon, created Alfred Music's Sound Sight-Reading method (Books 1 and 2) for concert band.

Watson has presented numerous workshops/clinics for music educators, including the 2019 New Hampshire Music Educators Association Conference, 2017 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic (Chicago, IL), 2017 MENC Eastern Division Conference (Atlantic City, NJ), 2015 NAfME National Conference (Nashville, TN), the keynote for the 2013 Music Technology in Education Conference (Melbourne, Australia) and many other clinics and professional development workshops. He frequently serves as guest conductor for honor band festivals, including the 2020 East Central Mississippi Band Director's Association High School Honor Band, 2020 Winston-Salem/Forsyth All-County Middle School Honor Band, 2019 Mississippi Middle School All-State Band, 2019 PMEA 12 Delaware County 5th/6th Grade BandFest, 2018 PMEA 10 Elementary Band Festival, 2017 PMEA District 5 Freshman Band Festival, and the 2015 All New England Band Festival (Plymouth State University, NH). Additionally, Dr. Watson is an adjunct professor for a number of universities (Cairn University, University of the Arts, Central Connecticut State University, and Moravian College) and author of the highly regarded music education text, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity (©2011, Oxford University Press). Watson's facility with and pedagogical application of music education technology has made him an in-demand presenter and professional development trainer.

It is my pleasure to bring you one of my favorite interviews featuring Mr. Jamey Aebersold. Jamey is recognized as a foremost authority in jazz education with his work as an author and publisher of many major publications including his famous Jazz Play-A -Long series. In this episode, we talk about the importance of improvisation and ways to encourage students to create their own music. 

Topics include:

(04:55) Jamey talks about his professional background

(0711) Jamey discusses how he started his business and the Jazz Play-A-Long series

(10:10) Having a major influence on jazz education

(12:58) Starting a jazz program

(16:25) Encouraging students to improvise music

(18:37) Getting students to LISTEN

(21:23) The importance of improvisation

(24:20) The future of jazz education

(29:30) Programming jazz selections

(32:52) Favorite rehearsal tactics

(35:40) Why do we teach music? 

(39:16) Jamey discusses leaders that have made an impact on his life 

(43:34) Advice for music educators

Links: 

Jamey Aebersold Jazz: http://www.jazzbooks.com/

JA Jazz Play-A-Long Series: http://www.jazzbooks.com/jazz/category/aeball

Jamey’s FREE Jazz Handbook (a.k.a “The Red Book”): http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/download/FQBK-handbook.pdf

(This book can also be obtained by writing to: Jamey Aebersold Jazz, PO Box 1244, New Albany, IN, 47151-1244, U.S.A.)

JAZZ at Lincoln Center feature on Jamey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An8X9jDuMg4

Jamey performing with the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Quintet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk_SzlfI6sU

Bio: 

Jamey Aebersold was born July 21, 1939, in New Albany, Indiana. He attended college at Indiana University and graduated in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Saxophone. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Indiana University in 1992. He also plays piano, bass and banjo.

In 1989, the International Association of Jazz Educators inducted Jamey into their Hall of Fame at the San Diego convention. With this award, Jamey joins other jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and others.

Jamey is a internationally-known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, and has developed a series of Jazz Play-A-Longs (book and cd sets (now numbering almost 130 volumes) as well as various other supplemental aids for the development of improvisational skills. The Aebersold book and recording sets allow a musician the opportunity to practice and improvise with well-known jazz personalities at home as well as in the classroom. The recordings employ some of the best jazz musicians in the world. This concept has been responsible for changing the practice habits of thousands of musicians around the world.

Jamey was one of the first to encourage small group classes which concentrate on jazz improvisation, and he is the director of the Summer Jazz Workshops which now have 40+ years on record. Jamey feels that improvisation is something all people can do—and his clinics and lectures concentrate on demonstrating how the creative and spontaneous nature of each person can be brought to light.

These week-long Summer Jazz Workshops are having a profound effect on musical communities around the world. The Workshops have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark and Canada. Every summer there are at least two week-long Workshops in the U.S. These camps employ many of the finest player/teachers in jazz and are open to any serious jazz student regardless of ability or age.

In 2007, Jamey was awarded the Indiana Governor's Arts Award by Mitch Daniels, the Governor of Indiana.

On October 4, 1987, CBS' "Sunday Morning" with Charles Kuralt and Billie Taylor featured Jamey with the Summer Jazz Workshops in an exciting jazz educational segment.

Jamey has taught at three colleges and universities in the Louisville, Kentucky area and has made guest appearances in dozens of cities around the world. While conducting a jazz clinic in Brazil he produced a 110-minute DVD/video appropriately titled "Anyone Can Improvise" which has become a best-seller.

Jamey's hobby is listening to jazz, especially new young players. He also enjoys playing basketball (he has hit 50 free throws in a row!) and is very much interested in Metaphysics and spiritual pursuits as they apply to the growth of the individual. In December 2004, the Jazz Midwest Clinic bestowed upon Jamey the "Medal of Honor" in Jazz Education.

In 2014, Jamey was awarded The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award, the nation's highest honor in jazz. Jamey Aebersold is the recipient of the 2014 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy, which is bestowed upon an individual who has contributed significantly to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of the art form of jazz.

Jamey has been a driving force in America's native art form, Jazz, and continues to kindle the fires of musical imagination in those with whom he comes in contact.