Everything Band Podcast

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 andscheduled 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 theKirankai 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 residing in the wonderful and beautiful state of Indiana. He attends Ball State University, where he studies Music, Education and English, though he currently holds an A.S. Degree in Liberal Arts. Jay has come to be known as an emerging and distinguished young composer and is rapidly making his debut on many programs across the globe. Jay’s first composition for wind ensemble, a self-published grade 5 piece entitled “Orchesis: Legends of Thailand,” was premiered in Wakayama-Shi, Japan. The piece was performed by the Kinrinkai Junior and Senior High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Masago Hirokazu.
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Jay’s performance background is very eclectic. He’s performed in numerous jazz ensembles, wind ensembles and pep bands, and currently, Jay plays bassoon and euphonium professionally. He is also the lead pianist and residential composer for his church, where he has arranged and composed many works for small choirs and chamber orchestras. He maintains a tight and busy schedule of composing and arranging, performing, and traveling. Additionally, Jay has composed numerous works for wind band for just about every level. Jay’s music is published by Carl Fischer Music and Birch Island Co. as well as works that are self-published which can be found on his website. Jay accredits composers and mentors Brian Balmages, Larry Clark, Ryan Main, and Michael Markowski for their guidance and many lessons that continue to shape his music—all those lessons that motivate him to thrive as a composer.

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 A Stickney is the Director of Bands at Plymouth State University, where he directs the Symphonic Band, and teaches courses in conducting, applied low brass and music education. In addition he serves as coordinator of the Graduate Instrumental Music Education Program, the All New England Band Festival and the New England Band Directors Institute. He has also held conducting and brass teaching positions at the Community College of Rhode Island, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Salve Regina University, and Southern Utah University. He has conducted festival bands and orchestras all over the United States. In 2016, he was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in Kittery, ME. Dr. Stickney received his DMA in Wind Conducting from Rutgers University, his MA in Tuba Performance from Montclair State University, and his BA from Gettysburg College. Dr. Stickney frequently writes on matters of music education, conducting, and nature on his blog:stickneymusic.wordpress.com.

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 A Stickney is the Director of Bands at Plymouth State University, where he directs the Symphonic Band, and teaches courses in conducting, applied low brass and music education. In addition he serves as coordinator of the Graduate Instrumental Music Education Program, the All New England Band Festival and the New England Band Directors Institute. He has also held conducting and brass teaching positions at the Community College of Rhode Island, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Salve Regina University, and Southern Utah University. He has conducted festival bands and orchestras all over the United States. In 2016, he was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in Kittery, ME. Dr. Stickney received his DMA in Wind Conducting from Rutgers University, his MA in Tuba Performance from Montclair State University, and his BA from Gettysburg College. Dr. Stickney frequently writes on matters of music education, conducting, and nature on his blog:stickneymusic.wordpress.com.

Renownedeuphonium soloist and Samford University conductor Demondrae Thurmanshares 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 andthe remarkable Heritage Concerto.

Topics:

• Demondrae's early history and musical education
• TheSotto Voce Tuba Quartet
• Starting kids on euphonium/baritone
• Characteristic sound
• TheSamford University Wind Ensemble
• Score preparation and study
• Rehearsal techniques
• The Heritage Concertoby composerAnthony Barfield
• Advice for young musicians
• TheBrass 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 Sonata for Euphonium and Piano
• John Barnes ChanceElegy
• Paul Hindemith Symphony in B-flat

Biography:
Demondrae Thurman is considered one of the stars of the formidable generation of brass soloists. His euphonium playing has been described as “awe inspiring”, and he is touted as “an amazing musician”. Demondrae has a firm international reputation as a euphonium soloist having performed in Europe, Asia and throughout North America. Many of America's premiere colleges and universities have hosted him as a performer and teacher and he continues to be in high demand.

Currently, Demondrae is Associate Professor of Music at Samford University where he teaches low brass, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and serves as Director of Graduate Studies. In addition to his duties at Samford University, Demondrae is also on the faculty of the Miraphone Academy, Southeastern Tuba Euphonium Workshop and the National Music Festival Euphonium Workshop.​

Garrett Hopehas done over 130 interviews with composers and music professionals for his own podcastThe 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 oboeincluding 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 Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, C4- the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective, the Harrisburg Symphony, and the American Symphony Orchestra.​

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 andvalue 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 conducting the wind ensemble, jazz band, teaching introductory music theory, freshman writing and coaching chamber ensembles. In addition to his duties at Hiram, he also serves as the Musical and Artistic Director of the University Heights Symphonic Band, and is the music librarian and staff arranger for the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. In October 2016, he made his debut as Music Director ofOrchestra 19, a 19th century historical performance practice orchestra based in Cleveland, of which he is also a co-founder.

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 and others.

Watson's music for band is published primarily by Alfred Publications, for whom he an exclusive composer. Other music for concert band is published by Wingert-Jones Publications, TRN, C. L. Barnhouse, Hal Leonard, Concert Works Unlimited (a division of Shawnee Press, now distributed by Hal Leonard), and Jon Ross Music. His string/orchestra music is published by Alfred Publications and Wingert-Jones Publications Publications, and his chamber music is published by Trillenium Music Company. You can hear excerpts of Watson's compositions by clicking on the Music links above.

About Watson's music, The Instrumentalist says "outstanding...with beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies" (Mark Hosler, 2004), Percussive Notes says "written with supreme craft" (Cort McClaren, 1993), the Allentown Morning Call says "Watson exhibited a great deal of skill in managing the resources of the orchestra...a very well-crafted piece...he will very likely become a force to be reckoned with" (Philip A. Metzger, 2000), and PMEA News says "Watson skillfully transforms his zest for life into his own brand of unique musical exuberance. His scoring for winds, brass, and percussion is excellent" (Kenneth Laudermilch, 1998). His music for band has several times been performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago) and named to several Bandworld Top 100 and Japan Band Clinic Yamaha Recommends 100 Pieces for Band listings. Recent projects include Youth/Student Concert performances of his Aesop's Fables by the Allentown Band, with dance choreographed by Repertory Dance Theater, as well as commissions by the MusicAlliance Honor Band Camp (Cleveland, OH, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts), Lehigh County (Pennsylvania) Bandmasters Association, Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (Spring 2007, concert band and chorus); International Horn Society Meir Rimon Fund (Spring 2006, solo horn and concert band); an American Composers Forum Continental Harmony project commission, Magic Valley, (2004, concert band); Figurations (for winds and percussion), commissioned by the West Chester University Wind Ensemble, Kenneth Laudermilch, Director; Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, for the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, Luis Biava conductor and Terell Stafford, trumpet soloist; and Hymn and Declaration, commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, Donald Spieth, Director. Watson has been pleased and honored to serve as guest conductor or adjudicator at various band festivals.

Watson received his MM and DMA in Composition from Temple University, where his composition teachers include Maurice Wright and Matthew Greenbaum. Watson teaches instrumental and elective music in the Parkland School District (Allentown, PA), and serves as adjunct professor teaching music education/music technology courses for University of the Arts, Cairn University, and Central Connecticut State University and Applied Composition for University of Valley Forge. During the 2001-02 academic year, he served as Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Technology at Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music (Philadelphia, PA). Additionally, his book, Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity, which focuses on project-based, creative music learning facilitated by technology, is published by Oxford University Press.

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 graduating from Kent State University, John began his teaching career in January 2013 and has taught Band, Choir and General Music to students of all ages. John also has been a guest clinician at the Middle School, High School and College level for both his concert work and teaching experience. He is also currently an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). While teaching full time, John is also a composer with works published by RWS Music Company, Carl Fischer Music, Bandworks Publications, Grand Mesa Music Publishers and Excelcia Music Publishing. His “Intrepid Fanfare” was selected to be on the Bandworld Magazine Top 100 list in 2017. In addition to his concert works, John recently composed music for the Coaster Studios documentary “Save My Park.” John is also writing his first book “Teaching Composition in the Classroom: A Guide for New Composers.”