Everything Band Podcast

Composer Nicole Piunno joins me to tell her remarkable story of resiliency, to describe her career as a composer and trumpet player, and to share her thoughts about music and the band community. Topics: Nicole's background and the remarkable string of events that forced her to reinvent herself several times in her musical career. The injury to her trumpet embouchure that required surgery and how that injury and a comment from a colleague launched her career as a composer. Meeting David Gillingham and how he invited her to study with him at Central Michigan University. Thoughts about being a self-published composer and advice for young composers. Links: Nicole Piunno, composer David Gillingham: Be Thou My Vision Nicole Piunno: Beauty Broken Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring Biography: Nicole Piunno (b. 1985) is a composer who views music as a vehicle for seeing and experiencing the realities of life. Her music often reflects the paradoxes in life and how these seemingly opposites are connected as they ofte

An instrumental music educator at Patrick March Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Chris Gleason was the 2017 Wisconsin Middle School Teacher of the Year, a finalist for the 2017 National Teacher of the Year and a semifinalist for the 2017 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. He joins the show to talk about his career, his commissioning program, and share some teaching wisdom. Topics: Growing up as the son of a band director, the lessons that he learned from his parents, and the story of applying for, and being selected as Wisconsin's "Teacher of the Year." The story of his high school band experience and the importance of the literature that we select as our curriculum. Anecdotes from some of the composers who Chris has commissioned. The value of commissioning new works and tips for educators to find funding. Chris' philosophy of "lighting fires" and his thoughts about what makes a good teacher including tips for young teachers and getting "beyond the notes." Links: Chris Gleason Erickson: Ballad Aire Tich

Just the fourth person to hold the position as conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Mark Scatterday joins the show to discuss that ensemble and his career, and to share advice about conducting and teaching. Topics: Mark's early years growing up as a musician and his path to becoming a music educator and conductor.  The importance of being prepared and how, as a high school band director in Ohio, a chance meeting with Donald Hunsberger changed his life and his career. A lengthy discussion of the program at Eastman including the challenge of programming up to 85 pieces of music every year. Practical tips for score study. Links: Mark Scatterday Eastman School of Music Husa: Music for Prague 1968 Biography: Mark Davis Scatterday is professor of conducting and chair of the Conducting and Ensembles Department at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. As only the fourth conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Scatterday joined a prestigious line of conductors – Donald Hunsberger, Clyde Roller,

An accomplished composer, teacher, and trumpet player, Vince Gassi has taught music for 25 years and has published over 100 works. He joins the show to share some of the wisdom that he's gained over a distinguished career. Topics: Vince's early years and how a late start led to a terrific career as an educator and composer. Tips for young teachers including the importance of being passionate and caring and how that can help convince the school community that what you do as a music teacher is as important as any other activity. Stories and anecdotes from Vince's career as a composer including some stories of the earliest music that he wrote. Vince packing up his bags to go study trumpet with Claude Gordon and how that trip and his concurrent attendance at the Dick Grove School of Music changed the trajectory of his career. Links: Vince Gassi Star Trek: The Next Generation "When the Bough Breaks" Gordon: "Brass Playing is No Harder Than Deep Breathing" Gassi: Tsunami Gassi: Crusade Gassi: Chesapeake Bay Ad

The band director at Central Washington University for 34 years, Larry Gookin joins the show to talk about his career and what he thinks are some of the key traits and practices that have made him a successful music educator. Topics: Larry's background, his early career, and the path to becoming the band director at Central Washington University. Literature selection, a guest appearance by Larry's dog, a polemic from me, and an anecdote about Václav Nelhýbel. The importance of having a mentor and why asking for help is the most important thing you can do as a band director. A brief primer on score study and preparing to teach a new piece of music. Links: Larry Gookin Bennett Reimer: "Why Do Humans Value Music?" David Elliot: "Music Matters: A Philosophy of Music Education" David Maslanka: Symphony No. 4 Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Biography: Larry Gookin is Distinguished Professor and Emeritus Professor of Music at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.  He served for 34 years as Di

Happy Independence Day to all of my American listeners! For this week's episode I am joined by SSG Francis Franqui, a former band director and now a bugle musician with the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps to talk about a variety of topics including the history and significance of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, his experience during the audition process, and some discussion of historical instruments and marching styles. Topics: SSG Franqui's background growing up in Florida as a young trumpet player including his time in Steve Davis' high school band. His experience in DCI, performing in Blast!, and as a band director and how it prepared him for his current role as a bugle musician in the Old Guard. The mission of the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the history of fife and drum music in the United States Army. Why the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps wears red and why the drum major is the only member of the United States military authorized to salute with his left hand.

Composer Steven Bryant's music for winds has quickly become part of the standard repertoire. As the son of a music educator, he is a strong supporter of music education and he joins me from the mountains of Austria to talk about his early influences, his music, and his career to this point. Topics: Steven’s background as the son of a high school band director and how that influenced his path to becoming a composer. The story of BCM International and Steve’s early success with Chester Leaps In and the stories of Dusk and Ecstatic Waters. The value of being self-published and the nuts and bolts about a career as a successful composer. Writing music for band and electronics. Links: Steven Bryant Mid Europe Band Festival Bryant: Chester Leaps In Bryant: Dusk Bryant: Ecstatic Waters Bryant: Hummingbrrd Bryant: Concerto for Wind Ensemble John Cage: As Slow as Possible Biography: Steven Bryant’s music is chiseled in its structure and intent, fusing lyricism, dissonance, silence, technology, and humor into le

After 18 years as the band editor at Carl Fischer, Larry Clark recently founded Excelcia Music Publishing. A prolific composer and teacher, he shares his thoughts about the music industry, music education, and composing for band. Topics: Larry’s background growing up in Florida and how he got his musical start and his path to becoming a composer. Advice for teachers who want to learn to arrange or compose for their groups and thoughts about choosing music and what to look for in quality music. The importance of mentorship. Traditional publishing versus self-publishing and the value of both. The value of marches and how they help students learn solid band foundations such as balance, blend, and intonation plus a host of easy harmonic and formal concepts. Links: Larry Clark Music Excelcia Music Publishing Matthew Kelly: The Rhythm of Life Larry Clark: Whispers Biography: Music by Larry Clark (b. 1963) is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels

Congratulations on making it to the end of another school year! The end of the year episode features Leah Bandman, a young teacher in Northern Virginia who just finished up her first year and agreed to talk about her experiences so far. Topics: Leah’s background growing up in Northern Virginia and going to school at Ohio State and the nature of her current teaching position. Unexpected challenges that Leah faced as a first year teacher. A look into the daily life of a first year music teacher including questions about unexpected challenges, materials, schedules, and classroom management. The importance of continuing to perform and play in ensembles as a teacher. Links: Bernstein: Overture to Candide Ohio State Flute Workshop Biography: Leah Bandman is a native of Springfield, Virginia. She attended Ohio State University where she received her Bachelors of Music Education degree in the spring of 2017. During her time at OSU, Leah was involved heavily in the flute studio and Sigma Alpha Iota, both of which

Texas band director Ogechi Ukazu is a rising star in the music education community and the new Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Mary Hardin Baylor College. Listen to this episode and you'll understand why she's heading for great things!  Topics: Ogechi’s background growing up, studying, and teaching in Texas and the exciting plans for her future. How a few great teachers who took a chance on Ogechi made all of the difference in her life and career. How she went from successful middle school director to an assistant band director at Cypress Ridge High School now to a Visiting Assistant Professor at Mary Hardin Baylor College. Ogechi offers her opinions about race in the music education community, what’s important as a teacher in a minority-majority school, and thoughts about how we can encourage young people from at-risk populations to become composers. Links: Cypress Ridge High School University of Mary Hardin Baylor Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Biography: Associate Director of Bands Ogechi Ukazu i

Happy Memorial Day! For this most important and solemn of holidays I am joined by Sara Corry, the staff arranger for the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." Topics: Sara's background and how her parents took her to the doctor as a child because she heard music in her head! The variety of ensembles and opportunities that she writes for as an arranger for the "Pershing's Own." Thoughts about what we can do as educators to help encourage young women to become composers. Links: Sara Corry, Composer The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" University of Colorado, Boulder Pärt: Cantus in memorium Benjamin Britten Schnittke: Piano Quartet No. 5 (5th movement) Schwantner: ...And the Mountains Rising Nowhere Jolley: The Eyes of the World Are Upon You Biography:   Sara Corry is currently a member of the U.S. Army where she serves as a Staff Arranger for the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." For the last six years she has been a Teaching Fellow at Interlochen Arts Camp, providing instruction on electronic music and

Music educator John Benham joins the show to discuss his book Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision and his concept of "reverse economics" that has helped save school music in over 400 districts throughout North America. Topics: John's background as a brass player and vocalist and a bit about his early career as a music educator. The story of how John developed his theory of reverse economics and how it's simple concept works and resonates with administrators and school boards. Why music teachers must stick together and why it is essential that they rally their parents to save their programs. How to know if your program might be in trouble and what to expect if John were called in to work with your district. Links: Save School Music Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision Music in World Cultures Holst: First Suite in E-Flat Fisher-Tull: Sketches on a Tudor Psalm Biography: With over 40 years experience as a music educator, Dr. John Benham first became involved in saving school music progr

Episode 60 features composer and educator Travis J. Weller, who is completing his first year as a music education professor at Messiah College after a long career as a high school educator in Western Pennsylvania. Topics: Travis' background as a composer and educator including how he got his start in music and as a composer and his transition to higher education. Travis' low brass heroes, including previous podcast guest Andrew Hitz. Why Tuba players are like baseball catchers. Important advice about being prepared as a teacher by thinking about the end and walking it backwards. The story of "L'il Travis" Links: Travis J. Weller Messiah College Ralph Vaughn Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis Weller: Metro Dances Weller: Renaissance Round Biography: Travis J. Weller is the Director of Music Education and The Symphonic Winds at Messiah College. Prior to his appointment at Messiah, he served as Director of Bands at Mercer Middle-Senior High School (PA) and taught as adjunct faculty at Kent State.

It's job season! In this timely episode, David Hedgecoth, an assistant professor of music education at the Ohio State University  joins me for a discussion of his career and offers his tips and advice for those seeking secondary music teaching jobs. Topics: David's path to becoming a college professor of music education and some things he learned along the way. What it was like to be the drum major for the Florida State University Marching Chiefs. Practical tips and advice for job seekers, including advice for those who might not be at a large school with every resource available to them. Working with composers and the value of performing new music and looking beyond the state lists. His research into music and the arts in the charter schools. Links: David Hedgecoth Zach Friedland, composer Paul Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis Biography: A native of Jacksonville, Florida, David Hedgecoth earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from Florida State University in Tallassee in 1999 and

Conductor and composer Chandler Wilson is currently finishing up his doctorate in music education at Florida State University. A successful band director at several Florida High Schools, he speaks about the importance of networking and the pursuit of excellence. Topics: Chandler’s background growing up in South Florida and his early experiences making music with his family and in school. Studying with some of the great band directors and band programs at Florida A & M University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Florida State University. Thoughts about living up to the standard of excellence of FAMU and how to foster that motivation in your own programs. The importance the Historically Black College in the music education community and beyond. Chandler’s work as a composer, how he got his start, and his first published work. Links: Chandler Wilson BRS Music Chandler Wilson: In Spirit of Unity Chandler Wilson: Conversations Biography: Chandler L. Wilson is a native of Miami, FL. He attended Flor

Kevin Day is currently a student at Texas Christian University where he studies tuba, composes, and plays jazz piano. His recent works for band have been generating a great deal of buzz and he joins me to talk about his music and the beginning of what looks to be an exciting career. Topics: Being a part of John Mackey’s booth at the Midwest Clinic and the story of how his piece Rocket Ship! came to be a part of Julie Giroux’s honor band rotation. Growing up with two musical parents, singing in choir, and playing drums and piano as a child. Being published and distributed by Murphy Music and the process for having Kevin write a work for your band. Kevin’s process for writing a new piece of music, some thoughts about how he has grown as a composer, and some tips for people who might want to start writing themselves. Links: Kevin Day Music Murphy Music Press Texas Christian University Maslanka: Symphony No. 4 Mackey: Hymn to a Blue Hour Kevin Day: Dancing Fire Biography: Kevin Day (b. 1996) is an American co

Composer Frank Ticheli joins me to talk about his career, offer some advice, and remind all of us that music should be fun and our goal should be joy! My sincere apologies for the connection problems in the second half of the interview. Topics: Frank’s early experiences and an anecdote about how he started on the trumpet and not the clarinet. Being a student in Texas and the lessons about music that he learned from his high school band directors and the story of a nudge towards becoming a composer from a teacher that recognized something special in him. The story of how Frank got involved in writing music for band and the stigmatization of band music in the broader concert music community. Links: Frank Ticheli Manhattan Beach Music Ticheli: Symphony no. 3 “The Shore” Ticheli: Symphony no. 1 Biography: Frank Ticheli's music has been described as being "optimistic and thoughtful" (Los Angeles Times), "lean and muscular" (New York Times), "brilliantly effective" (Miami Herald) and "powerful, deeply felt cra

The director of bands at the University of Minnesota, Emily Threinen joins me to discuss her career and share her thoughts about music and teaching. Topics: Emily’s background and the teacher, Tim Smith, who she credits with inspiring her career. Leading students to success without fear or intimidation. A discussion about gender in the band world including the importance of diversity in leadership positions. A discussion about concert programming and finding a balance between new music while performing standard repertoire and transcriptions. Links: Emily Threinen at the University of Minnesota Greater Twin Cities Youth Orchestra Drive by Daniel H. Pink The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh Copland: Appalachian Spring Biography: Emily Threinen currently serves as Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota School of Music in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. In this position, she conducts the acclaimed Wind Ensemble, guides the graduate wind band conducting program, instructs undergraduate advanced co

Composer Michael Markowski joins the show to offer a thoughtful conversation about his very unique career as a musician and composer. Topics: Michael’s background including the revelation that despite having a career as a composer able to support himself he does not possess a degree in music! Michael’s early experiences with Manhattan Beach Publications and the move to self-publishing. Traditional pre-printed scores vs. PDF downloads. Some advice for commissioning a new work including one thing to avoid when approaching a composer. Links: Michael Markowski Manhattan Beach Music World Adult Wind Orchestra Project Michael Markowski: Shadow Rituals Michael Markowski: Joy Ride Biography: MICHAEL MARKOWSKI (b. 1986) is fully qualified to watch movies and cartoons. In 2010, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 'Film Practices' from Arizona State University. While Markowski never studied music in college, he did study privately with his mentors, Jon Gomez and Dr. Karl Schindler, and has

Episode 53 - Alex Shapiro Composer Alex Shapiro kicks off year two of the podcast with a terrific conversation about her career and her remarkable perspectives about composing and music. Topics: How growing up in New York City with two very supportive parents helped Alex to a career in music. The importance of “showing up” and how it leads to amazing connections and opportunities. Her remarkable story about her transition from writing commercial music for media to becoming a concert composer and then how she got involved in writing for band. Her creative process and the story of how a glass of Scotch and the frustration of a late night led to the creation of her work Paper Cut. Links: Alex Shapiro, Composer Resources for Programming Music Alex Shapiro: Paper Cut Alex Shapiro: Rock Music The Portfolio Composer Podcast Steven Pressfield: The War of Art Leonard Bernstein’s Harvard Lectures Johan Sebastian Bach: The Italian Concerto, Movement II Biography: Composer Alex Shapiro aligns note after note with th