Everything Band Podcast

Patrick Burns from Bandworks Publications joins me in a great conversation about his career, Bandworks publications, and he offers numerous insights for composers and teachers. Topics: Pat's background and music education Finishing an music education degree and not getting a doctorate in composition Pat's compositional inspiration... the alto clarinet. The Bloomfield Youth Band and the founding of Bandworks Publications What Pat looks for when selecting music for publication Advice for young composers Links: Bandworks Publications Montclair State University Bloomfield Youth Band Ronald Lo Presti - Elegy for a Young American Gordon Jacobs - An Original Suite James Syler - The Hound of Heaven David Holsinger - Liturgical Dances Biography: PATRICK J. BURNS (b. 1969) has served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey since 1994, where he teaches courses in music theory, orchestration, and composition, and has also taught instrumental music in the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public

Gary Gackstatter is a composer, conductor, and artist with a wealth of teaching experience. He joins me this week to discuss his career and offer his thoughts about teaching and music education. Topics: Gary's background and teaching experience Advice for young teachers His career as a composer and thoughts about commissioning new works for band Creativity and being published Gary's forthcoming book The Spark: Notes from the Podium Band competitions and what we should be judging Thoughts about the current state of band literature Links: Gary Gackstatter's Website Gary's YouTube Channel St. Louis Community College Meramec Campus C. Alan Publications Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Holst: First Suite in E-flat Biography: Gary Gackstatter is an active artist, composer, conductor, clinician, performer and teacher, teaching at STLCC Meramec as Coordinator of Music and conductor of the Symphonic Band and Meramec Orchestra since 2007. He has served as conductor at Cowley College, Southwestern College and Wichita Sta

Jeff Girard, the band specialist at Midwest Sheet Music joins me to offer some thoughts about conducting, band music, and copyright law from the perspective of a music retailer. Topics: Jeff's background as a conductor and band specialist at Midwest Sheet Music Band Together The challenges and compromises of conducting a community band Interactions with composers and the music publishing industry from a retail perspective What qualities make Jeff recommended a band piece Lessons learned from Jeff's surprising background as a professional wrestler Links: Midwest Sheet Music Jerry Brubaker: A Celebration of Taps Jack Wilds: Showdown at High Noon Copyright Handbook for Music Educators Music Copyright Law Music Law in the Digital Age Ron Nelson: Passacaglia (Homage on BACH) John Paulson: Epinicion Frank Ticheli: Blue Shades Stephen McNeff: Ghosts Maecenas Music BandTogether Wind Band Report Archives Wind Band Report Sign Up Biography: Jeff Girard is a wind band conducting specialist at Midwest Sheet Mus

Cynthia Johnston Turner from the University of Georgia shares her thoughts about the importance of finding your authentic self on the podium, gender issues in the band world, and ideas for programming music. Topics: Cynthia's background and the sense of belonging that band provides for young people Impostor syndrome and being your authentic self The band program at the University of Georgia Gender in the band world Working with composers Programming "new" music Technology in the band rehearsal Programming transcriptions Links: Cynthia Johnston Turner Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia Women composers in wind band music (Google Doc) Women composers in wind band music (YouTube playlist) Candy Floss and Merry-Go-Rounds: Female Composers, Gendered Language, and Emotion Joni Greene: Enigma Machine Adolphus Hailstork: American Guernica Karel Husa: Music for Prague 1968 University of Hawai'i Conductor's Workshop New England Band Director's Institute Biography: Cynthia Johnston Turner is

Florida State University percussion professor John W. Parks IV is really passionate about the importance of teaching and learning the "right way" and this becomes a recurring theme throughout this remarkable conversation. Topics: John's musical background Trophy hunting in music education and putting the students first The type of students John brings to FSU and how he disarms "problem" students Use the local college to find a percussion teacher to come into your band room. Qualities necessary to becoming a successful teacher and having a plan! Teach skills, not pieces Percussion resources for teachers 2000 Eastman Wind Ensemble Japan tour Garnet House Productions Why college football coaches need to stop cursing so much! Links: Daniel's Orchestral Music Raynor Caroll: Symphonic Repertoire Guide for Timpani and Percussion Black Swamp Percussion Videos Vic Firth Percussion Videos John teaches the Porgy and Bess xylophone solo Percy Grainger: Irish Tune from County Derry Anthony Iannaccone: Sea Drift (Mv

Just 23 years old, the enormously talented Jay Coles has already published several works for band through Carl Fischer, C.L. Barnhouse, and C. Alan Publications and is the author of a new novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement titled Tyler Jones was Here and scheduled to be released in 2018 by Little Brown, Children's. Topics: Jay's musical background and his young career Using social media to create opportunity Jay's first big break with the Kirankai High School Wind Ensemble in Wakayamashi, Japan Diversity in the wind literature and thoughts about how to lift up the marginalized in the band community Finding publishers as a composer His forthcoming young adult novel and the differences between music publishing and book publishing His process for writing a piece of music​ Links: Ball State University Music Orchesis: Legends of Thailand Galactic Episode Michael Markowski: Saturn Returns Michael Daugherty: Raise the Roof Biography: Jay Coles (b. 1995) is a composer, conductor, and clinician r

Mark Stickney, the conductor at Plymouth State University and of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble joins me for a wide ranging conversation that includes the value of being a lifelong learner, the band grading system, and the New England Band Director's institute. Topics: Plymouth State University, the Seacoast Wind Ensemble, and the Newport Music Festival Teaching a band a new piece of music Fear in the ensemble and how to help students overcome their fear Conducting honor bands The value of being a lifelong learner Working with composers The band grading system Competition in music The New England Band Director's Institute Self published composers and finding new music The importance of relationships ​Links: Plymouth State University Music New England Band Director's Institute Newport Music Festival Seacoast Wind Ensemble Composers and Schools in Concert Libby Larsen: Introduction to the Moon, Part 1 Phillip Rathman: America the Beautiful Gustav Holst: Second Suite in F Stickneymusic.net Biography: Dr. Mark

Renowned euphonium soloist and Samford University conductor Demondrae Thurman shares his story and offers a wealth of knowledge and advice on a variety of topics. Of special note is his advice about starting kids on the euphonium, tips for conductors on score preparation and rehearsal techniques, and the story of his collaboration with composer Anthony Barfield and the remarkable Heritage Concerto. Topics: Demondrae's early history and musical education The Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet Starting kids on euphonium/baritone Characteristic sound The Samford University Wind Ensemble Score preparation and study Rehearsal techniques The Heritage Concerto by composer Anthony Barfield Advice for young musicians The Brass Band of Battle Creek​ Links: The University of Alabama School of Music The University of Wisconsin School of Music John Stevens, Tuba Mike Forbes, composer and tuba David Childs, euphonium Adam Frey, euphonium Brian Bowman, euphonium Matthew Murchison, euphonium Matthew Tropman, euphonium Doug Bristol

Garrett Hope has done over 130 interviews with composers and music professionals for his own podcast The Portfolio Composer. Garrett brings a wealth of knowledge and insight about the business of music and shares his thoughts as a relative newcomer to the band world.

I am joined by my good friend and outstanding oboist Karen Birch Blundell. Karen provides a wealth of information about the oboe including some practical advice about reeds and oboe tips for composers. Topics: Karen's early choice to play oboe Starting kids on the oboe right away Finding and making reeds The importance of good equipment Learning how to practice Taking relaxed breaths Tips for composers Building rests into oboe music High school band! The New Sousa Band Links: The International Double Reed Society Oboe Motions by Stephen Caplan Making Reeds Start to Finish by Nancy Ambrose King Keith Brion and the New Sousa Band The Eastern Music Festival Karen's Website Biography: Karen Birch Blundell lives in New York City and is a member of both the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic (English horn) and the Eastern Festival Orchestra (English horn/Associate Principal Oboe). She also performs regularly with the Allentown Symphony and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Cin

I welcome conductor Matthew Salvaggio to the show for a conversation about his experiences as an oboist and conductor of the wind ensemble at Hiram College. Highlights include excellent advice for studying scores and working with composers. Topics: Matt's background as an oboist The importance of personal connections Having opportunities as a young musician The wind ensemble at Hiram College and value of having community members in the small college band Staying in touch with your instrument Teaching a new piece and the importance of score study! Talking with and commissioning composers Programming new music The importance of taking your time and having diverse musical experiences Links: Hiram College Music Cimarosa Oboe Concerto College Band Director's National Association Mark Camphouse: Illuminations Joel Puckett David Maslanka: Child's Garden of Dreams University Heights Symphonic Band Matthew Salvaggio ​Biography: Matthew Salvaggio is director of bands at Hiram College, where his duties include co

Composer Scott Watson is my guest on this episode. Scott has over 60 published works, mostly through by Alfred Music. In this diverse episode we discuss Scott's impressive career including his musical background, his compositional process, acquiring commissions and using consortiums, guest conducting, technology in the classroom, project based learning, graded band music, learning one instrument very well, and finding inspiration in writing music for young players. Links: Scott Watson, composer Scott's works at Alfred Music Queen Mab Composers and Schools in Concert Project Based Learning Scott's Book: Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity Michael Colgrass: Old Churches John Kinyon's Biography at Alfred Music Copland: Lincoln Portrait (US Marine Band) Biography: Scott Watson, born 1962 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania has composed for concert, radio, and theater and received recognition for his work from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, the American Music Center, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Cleveland composer and conductor John Pasternak joins the podcast as my inaugural guest. In this episode we discuss John's early influences in music and then launch on a discussion of composing for band, publishing, and the importance of humility. Links: John Pasternak's Website Pasternak: Battle Cry of Freedom James Barnes: Valor Brandon Nelson, composer Biography: John M. Pasternak has been an active musician since 2003 while he founded and directed several community groups. In Fall of 2005, John attended Kent State University (KSU) where he pursued a Bachelor of Music Education degree. While a student, John served as President of the Kent State Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association (OCMEA) Chapter, was Staff Arranger for the Kent State Marching Golden Flashes and wrote scores for two Kent State Independent Films. He also worked composed and conducted works for the KSU Ensembles. In 2008, John was elected as a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). After graduat