Episodios

  • Bill Jastrow discusses comprehensive musicianship, organizing a school district's music program, and the caring and "feeding" of the young percussionist.

    Special thanks to my friend and colleague Scott Barnas for taking the lead on this episode!

    Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, or download this episode and more wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

    FULL BIO

    Spanning 41 years, William Jastrow’s teaching experience ranges from a community high school with an enrollment of 450 students, to Neuqua Valley H.S. with an enrollment exceeding 4,000, to the position of Music Education Coordinator for Indian Prairie School District 204, a unit district comprising 33 schools and 29,500 students. Teaching and conducting responsibilities at Neuqua Valley included concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching band, and the Klangfarben Percussion Ensembles. Jastrow holds degrees in music education from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University.

    A frequent Illinois All-State and NAfME clinician, as well as a district and all-state festival conductor, Jastrow served the Illinois Music Education Association Board of Directors as Band Division President and State President. As an executive officer, Jastrow assumed a leading role in the development of a Leadership Conference for exemplary music educators, a Future Music Educators Symposium for high school students, and an All-State Percussion Ensemble. As past president, Jastrow was active in promoting a statewide survey on the status of music education, contributed to the planning of “Dream Out Loud”, a joint advocacy initiative with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Yamaha, and authored numerous articles on the vital role that music should play as part of a comprehensive education for all students.

    Over his career, Jastrow’s bands have performed for the University of Illinois Superstate Festival, the NBA National Convention, the West Sussex International Youth Music Festival, and the Liberty, Outback, and Fiesta Bowl festivals and parades, as well as for international audiences in Canada, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and the People’s Republic of China. During his tenure, Neuqua Valley H.S. was recognized as the Kennedy Center National School of Distinction in Fine Arts Education and was a multiple recipient of the Grammy Signature Gold and National Signature School Award. A 2011 inductee into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Bandmasters Hall of Fame, Jastrow is a recipient of the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award, Illinois State Board of Education "Those Who Excel" Recognition, ILMEA Distinguished Service Award, and NAfME Excellence in Teaching Music Award.

  • I sit down with Damien Crutcher to discuss what life looks like right now, what motivates him, how to recognize passion, working through difficult times, and leaving a legacy.

    Check out Mark Connor's interview with Damien to hear more about his upbringing and musical life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ONc8hju-Q

    https://www.markjconnor.com/eb-podcast/everything-band-episode-152-damien-crutcher

    Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, or download this episode and more wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

    FULL BIO:

    Damien Crutcher is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Cass Technical High School. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, and a Master’s in Conducting from The University of Michigan. Damien studied horn with Bryan Kennedy and Doug Campbell and Conducting with H. Robert Reynolds.

    After graduating from The University of Michigan, Damien served as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Southfield-Lathrup High School. Under his direction, the Southfield-Lathrup ensembles, including the Lathrup Symphony Band have performed in San Francisco, Chicago, the Bahamas, the White House, and Carnegie Hall. Many of his students from Southfield Lathrup are currently professional musicians, music teachers, and artists across the country.

    He is currently the co-founder and CEO of Crescendo Detroit. Crescendo Detroit is a nonprofit whose mission is to transform the lives of school-age children, ages 5-18, in Detroit, by engaging kids in intense instrumental music, vocal music, and dance programs that promote artistic excellence and character building. It is the goal of Crescendo Detroit to create a neighborhood to college pipeline using the arts.

    Damien is a frequent guest conductor and clinician throughout Michigan and Ohio and also serves as the conductor of the Farmington Community Band and the DSO’s Detroit Community Concert Band.

    Visit Crescendo Detroit's website at https://www.crescendodetroit.org/

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  • Bobby Lambert talks about the hows and whys of student leadership, recommends some classic band pieces, and talks musical mentors.

    Head to Bobby and Jeff's Young's Podcast "That Band Life" at Apple Podcasts to hear more.

    For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

    FULL BIO from www.wandobands.org: Bobby is Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Originally from Cherokee, North Carolina, Mr. Lambert attended Western Carolina University to obtain his Bachelors Degree in music education and then the University of Massachusetts to receive a graduate assistantship and a Masters of Music Degree in saxophone performance.

    From 2001 until 2013, Mr. Lambert was the assistant band director at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois where he enjoyed great success in both the marching and concert arena. The marching band was a consistent finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships and a repeat winner of the 2A National Championship. At the state level, the band continued its winning streak as the Class Champion for the State of Illinois Marching Band Championship begun in 1980. Under his direction, the Concert Band at Marian found great success in performance assessment: consistently receiving superior ratings and being named overall champion at The State of the Art Catholic Concert Band Festival, and class champion at The Illinois State University Concert Competition and The University of Illinois Superstate Concert Festival.

    In 2005, he founded the school-wide leadership program at Marian, designing the curriculum and coordinating its implementation to over 1200 students with over 50 faculty members. Drawn from the world of business, finance, and psychology, the Leadership Program curriculum gives every student practical experience with communication skills, group dynamics, and ethical leadership.

    Since 1997, Mr. Lambert has directed student leadership camps around the country. In 2013, Mr. Lambert headed the inaugural Bands of America Drum Major Institute at Ball State University as part of the BOA Summer Symposium. This contemporary camp brings the most experienced staff and the latest information to student leaders from across the country. Over 1000 high school students participate in various leadership programs with Mr. Lambert each summer.

    In addition to serving as consultant with several programs across the country, Mr. Lambert has worked with the All-American Marching Band sponsored by the U.S. Army and the Bands of America Tournament of Roses Marching Band. He has also served as guest conductor for honor bands in Virginia and Illinois.

    Mr. Lambert’s professional affiliations include MENC and Phi Mu Alpha. He has been honored with an induction to the Marian Catholic Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2013 and voted a Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator in 2009. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife Alysia, who is a choral director and their daughters, Maria Katherine and Olivia Claire.

  • Bob Mecozzi, band director at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, IL, talks about the Getting Things Done system and how we can reduce stress by managing our tasks.

    For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • Dr. Joe Manfredo talks about his time with Dr. Begian, provides literature suggestions, and discusses his research and publications in the area of band history and the undergraduate conducting curriculum.

    For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

    FULL BIO

    Joseph Manfredo is a retired Associate Professor of Music for the School of Music at Illinois State University. At ISU, Manfredo was the Coordinator of Music Education and taught undergraduate courses in instrumental music education. In addition, he was the coordinator of the student teaching program.

    Originally from the Chicago area, Manfredo received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University, where he studied clarinet with Dr. Earl Boyd and piano with Dr. Catherine Smith. His graduate studies included a Master of Arts Degree in Instrumental Conducting from EIU and a Doctorate of Music Education from the University of Illinois. During his doctoral residency, Manfredo was awarded the band conducting internship to study with the legendary Dr. Harry Begian. In addition, he also studied with Gary Smith and James Curnow.

    Professor Manfredo is in constant demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He has conducted various All-State Bands and Honor Bands throughout the United States and Canada. His collegiate bands have been selected to perform at national, regional, and state conferences. Since August 2011, he has been conductor of the Festival Band for the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival.

    Manfredo has presented lectures and clinics at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, national conferences for the National Association for Music Educators, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Biennual Colloquium, and the Conn-Selmer Institute. He has made presentations at state music conferences in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, and internationally in China, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, and Brazil.

    Manfredo has published journal articles in the Groves Dictionary of Music, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Band Research, Music Educators Journal, Journal of Music Teacher Education, The Instrumentalist, Illinois Music Educators Journal, and the Alta Musica series. In addition, he was asked to write The Conductor’s Manual for the Essentials of Musicianship series published by Hal Leonard. He also serves as the chief editor of the MitteilungsBlatt, one of the publications for IGEB, the International Society for the Promotion and Investigation of Wind Music; and he is on the editorial board for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).

    Dr. Manfredo is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Midwest Clinic. He was the recipient of the 2015 Mary Hoffman Award for Teaching Excellence by the Illinois Music Education Association. Also, he was the 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award by the XI Chapter of Phi Beta Mu (International Bandmasters Fraternity).

  • Tim DeBoer (Joliet West High School Choral Director and AP Music Theory teacher, Joliet, IL) and Peter Lipari (Joliet Township District 204 Orchestra Director and conductor of the West Suburban Symphony) talk opera. Tune in for recommendations of full productions, selected highlights, and find out that knowing the story before you go in might just be the best way to experience an opera. To watch selected shows, visit The Metropolitan Opera House's website at https://www.metopera.org/, where nightly streams are offered.

  • Chris Gleason talks to me about educational purpose and autonomy during the quarantine, and how students can effectively practice (even if they don't have an instrument at home). I also highly recommend watching Chris's TedX talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CzFQ7Esi4 for even more insight into education, motivation, purpose, and autonomy.

    For more content related to music education, visit www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • Sebastian Martinez is the senior drum major of the Joliet Central High School Band. In this episode, Sebastian recommends some of his favorite Latin music.

    Links are provided below.

    Moncayo - Huapango (Alondra de la Parra, Orchestre de Paris) https://youtu.be/NbgAHpD4W_8

    El Cumbanchero - Windstars Ensemble https://youtu.be/qeqlhl9xQ2I

    Arturo Márquez - Danzón No. 2 (Alondra de la Parra, L'Orchestre de Paris) https://youtu.be/pjZPHW0qVvo

    Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • Kirk Hickman, band director at Hinsdale South High School in Hinsdale, IL, and Eric Wellman, band director at Joliet West High School in Joliet, IL, provide some tips and resources on how percussionists can practice at home (and how percussionists are already used to this type of practice!).

    Some suggested links from the video/audio:

    Vic Firth: https://vicfirth.zildjian.com/education.html?sort=most-popular

    Sound Trap: https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/

    George Stone Percussion Books: http://www.stonepercussionbooks.com/

    Row-loff Percussion: https://www.rowloff.com/

    Note: audio recording is ripped directly from the video and may vary in quality due to internet connections.

  • Alex Kaminsky from VanderCook College of Music talks about the importance of air in wind playing and demonstrates two count breathing. Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • We are hearing a lot from policymakers and pundits about the current situation but not a lot from our students. Joliet Central High School band seniors Yanni Ovalle and Alexus Maldonado talk about how they are dealing with the current global pandemic, how they manage their days, reflect on e-learning, and offer advice to underclassmen. Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • Steven Pyter and Jermaine Stegall discuss composing, recommended listening, and provide some advice on what you can do NOW to begin composing, creating, or arranging.

    Steven Pyter is a published composer of school band works from Joliet, IL. Jermaine Stegall is a film composer originally from Joliet, IL, now residing in LA. Don Stinson couldn't compose if his life depended on it, which is why he has friends like Steve and Jermaine.

    Visit us at www.thebandmasters.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Sticher Audio.

  • Dr. Charlie Menghini of Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends speaks with me about how and why we should put our dreams and ambitions into action.

    Listen to the Bandmasters Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or direct download at www.thebandmasters.com. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bandmasters-podcast/id923873966

    Listen to Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends on Apple Podcasts and libsyn.

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/band-talk-with-charlie-menghini-and-friends/id1502621847

  • I got to sit down with one of my favorite people - Roosevelt Griffin. On this episode, Roosevelt talks about growing up in and teaching in low-income areas, strategies for reaching and advocating for students in your programs, tips and techniques for jazz programs, and his path to starting a community center, the Griffin Institute.

    FULL BIO from www.rooseveltgriffin.com and www.thegriffininstitute.org:

    Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III is the director of bands for Harvey School District 152 where he and his students have received international acclaim for excellence in music education. He manages music programs over seven locations with more than 250 students. He is also the elementary jazz band director for the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic; an instructor with Blues Kids of America, an interdisciplinary artist-in-residence program that helps students improve literacy through music; and the President/CEO of the Griffin Institute of Performing Arts.

    Some of his most notable performances as an educator include performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics, Jazz Education Network’s International Conference, Auditorium Theater, ASCD International Conference, and the Chicago Jazz Showcase.

    Before becoming a full-time teacher, Dr. Griffin worked with some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross, and Jimmy Heath. He is often invited to present at conferences and workshops for music education, including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics, The Jazz Institute of Chicago, The Jazz Educators Network, The Missouri Music Educators Association, Illinois Music Educators Association, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Northern Illinois University, Columbia College, and Prairie State College. He and his students have also been featured in Downbeat and JazzEd magazines for obtaining an endorsement with Jody Jazz Mouthpieces. He recently co-authored the latest addition to GIA Publications TMTP series, “Teaching Music Through Performance: Beginning Jazz Ensembles”.

    Dr. Griffin’s work has brought him several prestigious honors. The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation have most recently named him a Quarter-Finalist for the 2017 “Grammy Award for Music Educator”. In 2015, Dr. Griffin received the 2015 Most Outstanding Alumni Award from the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association as well as a Jefferson Award for excellence in teaching from the District 205 Ambassadors of the Jefferson Award Foundation. In 2014, He received the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching from the Golden Apple Foundation. Later that same year, his hometown of Harvey, Illinois, honored him by renaming his childhood street “Roosevelt Griffin III Avenue”.

    Dr. Griffin earned a bachelor of music degree from NIU in 2001, master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University in 2011, Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University and currently holds the status of Scholar at Northwestern University.

  • Mark Iwinski talks about his career up to this point, how to be on the cutting edge of musical literature and technology, and how he worked through some stressful moments in teaching in order to gain a work-life balance while still maintaining a quality program.

    Mark has been a great friend for a long time, and it was enjoyable to sit down and learn more about him; my public “thanks” to him for the after-podcast discussion encouraging me to shift some items with work and family - much appreciation.

    FULL BIO

    Mark D. Iwinski has been director of bands at Victor J. Andrew High School since 2010. He is the third director since the opening of Andrew High School in 1977. In addition to conducting three concert bands and percussion ensemble, his instructional roles include overseeing the Marching Thunderbolts, Pep Band, Jazz Ensembles, and conductor of the Pit Orchestra. Prior to his appointment at Andrew high school, Mr. Iwinski served as director of bands at Lincoln Middle School in Schiller Park, Illinois. Mr. Iwinski graduated from Illinois State University in 2007 where he earned his Bachelor's of Music Education degree, graduating on the Dean’s List. Additional education includes a Masters of Music in Education degree at VanderCook College of Music, conferred in July of 2017.

    Ensembles under his direction have included high placement in class and grand championships with the marching band. The marching band is also well represented in Illinois State Finals in the past decade. This year, the marching band was undefeated in class competition and was the 5th place award winner out of 45 bands in the Illinois State Championships. The Andrew High School Wind Symphony has been a multi-year selectee to the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, a two-time champion and honor band at the Midwest Music Festival, and receives consistent Division I ratings at festivals. In addition, the ensemble has performed at the 2018 Illinois Music Education Conference as well as the 2017 and is honored to perform once again at the 2020 Music for All National Concert Band Festival.

    Mr. Iwinski has received four Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association and was a 2019 recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award. He serves as an adjudicator for various band festivals and solo/ensemble contests across the state of Illinois and has been a clinician to schools in the Chicago area. Professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education and the National Band Association.

  • Dan Valkema and I sat down at his house to discuss his career as a band director at the high school and middle school level, changes and consistencies across the year, and how he “failed” retirement. FULL BIO Daniel Valkema recently retired following a 36-year career in music education in the State of Illinois. His career included teaching at Plainfield Central, Elk Grove, Lincoln-Way East, and Lockport Township High Schools. He holds degrees from Illinois State University and the University of Iowa. Bands under his direction have performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, the Midwest Clinic, the Illinois Music Education Conference, the State of Illinois Concert Band Contest (5A Champions) and the prestigious Illinois Superstate Band Festival (1999 Class AAA Honor Band). In addition, his bands have earned the Grand Championship Award at the Midwest Music Festival 3 times. Mr. Valkema has appeared as guest conductor with the Illinois Summer Youth Music Camp, Iowa All-State Music Camp, Wheaton Municipal Band, Freeport Concert Band, IMEA Jazz Bands, and Rushmore Music Camp. He has also been a staff member of the Illinois Ambassadors of Music for 5 European Concert Tours. Mr. Valkema was honored as an Outstanding Chicagoland Music Educator, received an Illinois Math & Science Academy Award of Excellence, Plainfield District 202 Award of Excellence, and several Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association.

  • Happy end of the school year/pre-Midwest Clinic! Matt Bufis and I discuss his journey to Illinois, adapting a program to the current needs of students, repertoire selection, and work-life balance. Musical selections featured in this episode include March for the Sultan Abdul Madjid by Rossini and After the Thunderer by Hearshen. Both selections are performed by the Evanston Township High School Wind Symphony.

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    Matthew P. Bufis joined the music faculty at Evanston Township High School in June of 2012 and was later named Director of Bands in June of 2016. Mr. Bufis leads the Wildkit Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Symphony, teaches Guitar classes, and is the instrumental sponsor for the YAMO pit orchestra – the musical accompaniment to a student written and directed theatre production at ETHS. Under his direction, the ETHS Wind Symphony has risen to new levels of distinction, with multiple invite performances at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and a 2018 Illinois Music Educators Conference performance, both of which are first-time honors for the program. The Wildkit Marching Band also continues an upward trajectory, with a seventy percent enrollment growth rate and steady progress in scores and placements at competitions over the last five seasons. Mr. Bufis is actively involved in activities that enhance learning at ETHS, serving on the Disciplinary Literacy, Teacher Evaluation, School Day (scheduling), and ETHS Foundation committees as well as maintaining his role as Lead Teacher for Fine Arts through which he organizes events, maintains the facility and equipment, plans professional development opportunities, and facilitates the music honors program.

    Prior to his appointment at ETHS, Mr. Bufis completed two successful tenures at Westmont High School in Illinois and Great Mills High School in Maryland, where he is responsible for leading both programs to distinction. Ensembles under his direction performed at the Maryland State High School Band Festival and the Illinois Superstate Band Festival many times. Mr. Bufis is responsible for pioneering artist-in-residency programs at each of his former posts, collaborating with guest performers and conductors – most notably Ronald Romm (The Canadian Brass), Thomas Jöstlein (St. Louis Symphony), and composer Eric Ewazen (Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra – wind ensemble transcription premiere 2006). The Great Mills Wind Ensemble also performed annually at the Maryland Day ceremony in historic St. Mary’s City, including a performance attended by Governor Robert Ehrlich.

    A native of New Jersey, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York and a Master in Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently completing coursework for a Master in Principal Preparation at Concordia University in Chicago. Mr. Bufis studied conducting with Stephen G. Peterson, James F. Keene, Joseph Manfredo, and Donald Schleicher and has pursued additional training through conducting symposiums lead by Mallory Thompson, John Whitwell, Jamie Nix, H. Robert Reynolds, and Allan McMurray. He studied euphonium, his primary instrument, with David Unland, Mark Moore, and Kenneth Steinsultz.

    Mr. Bufis is an active guest lecturer on the topics of leadership and management, curriculum design, music teacher evaluation, music technology, and music education advocacy, presenting his work in these areas at state and national conferences and universities. He is also an active clinician and adjudicator, working with bands of all ages and ability levels. He has served as a leadership consultant for bands and sports teams on the East Coast and throughout the Midwest working with students, coaches, and teachers. Mr. Bufis has received many National Band Association Citations of Excellence in recognition of the Westmont and Evanston Township High School Band performances at the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival and has been nominated for inclusion in various “Who’s Who” publications since 2004. He is an active member of ILMEA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Bufis is an Eagle Scout of Troop 76 in Ringwood, New Jersey and garnered a varsity letter in collegiate men’s swimming for his three years as an Ithaca College Bomber.

  • I hope everyone is enjoying their first days back to school! Please enjoy this episode with Alex Kaminsky, Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music. We talk about Alex’s musical upbringing, transitioning to a college band, and repeating success.

    Music credit: special thanks to Harrison Collins for permission to use his composition O rose of May, premiered by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Symphony in 2018 under the director of Alex Kaminsky.

    FULL BIO

    Alexander Kaminsky was appointed Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at VanderCook College of Music in 2019 after a highly successful tenure at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. He holds degrees from the University of Florida and Indiana University, is active as an adjudicator, and is in demand as a guest conductor/clinician across the country. Throughout his 30-year career as a high school band director, Kaminsky’s ensembles consistently earned Superior ratings at all levels of evaluation. In addition to earning Superior ratings at the FBA State Concert Band Assessment for an unprecedented 23 consecutive years (the last 13 of those years being with both his first and second bands), he is the only director in the history of the Florida Bandmasters Association to have had three concert bands from one school earn straight Superior ratings at State, and he achieved this three times (2009, 2018 and 2019).

    Kaminsky’s bands have performed at the Midwest Clinic (2005, 2009, 2014, and 2018), ABA Convention (2014), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2004 and 2014), FMEA State Convention (2014), National Concert Band Festival (2002 and 2012), and the National Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall (2009 and 2018). In 2018, the Stoneman Douglas Wind Symphony was named a National Wind Band Honors winner as one of only ten 6A bands in the nation. His marching bands consistently placed in the Florida Marching Band State Championship Finals, winning consecutive FMBC State Championships (2013 and 2014, 2017 and 2018) as well as being named a finalist band at BOA regional competitions.

    Kaminsky has presented his clinic “How Can I Get My Band to Sound Like That” at various conferences and workshops, and his annual “How To Fix It” series at the FMEA Convention has been received to high acclaim, with over 900 attendees in 2019. He is a ten-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and has been recognized with numerous achievement awards for education including Florida’s 2019 FMEA Secondary Music Educator of the Year Award, FBA Oliver Hobbs Award, FBA Andrew J. Crew Award, National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teacher, Nobel Educator of Distinction, Teacher of the Year, and is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Kaminsky is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the American School Band Directors’ Association. He has served on numerous state and national committees, and currently serves on the ABA Sousa/Ostwald Award Committee and the ABA School Bands Task Force. He has been featured in several periodicals including The Instrumentalist, Teaching Music, School Band & Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” and Home Magazine’s “12 Exceptional Educators.”

  • Matt Temple discusses the music program at New Trier High School, philosophies on competition in music, and comprehensive musicianship.

    FULL BIO

    Matt Temple was appointed Director of Bands at New Trier High School in 2007. He conducts the curricular Freshman Concert Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble, Varsity Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. His extracurricular groups include Pep Band, Solo/Ensemble, Pit Orchestra for the Fresh/Soph Musical, and Lagniappe, New Trier's student-written musical. In 2008, he wrote a comprehensive wind ensembles curriculum that guides student instruction throughout the program. Mr. Temple earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in conducting from Eastern Illinois University. He also completed an additional master's degree in educational leadership through Aurora University.

    Under Mr. Temple's direction, the New Trier Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed at the 2015 NBA Director's Workshop, 2012 Midwest Clinic, 2010 Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands, 2009 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and the 2008 and 2009 University of Illinois Superstate Festivals. In 2014, the New Trier band department received national recognition as an inaugural recipient of the "Blue Ribbon Award" for Programs of Excellence from the National Band Association. Prior to his appointment at New Trier, Mr. Temple served as the Fine Arts Chair at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, from 2000-2007, and as the music director at Flora High School from 1994-1998.

    Mr. Temple is a Contributing Editor for The Instrumentalist and completed a four-year term on the Advisory Committee for the Music Educator's Journal. He is currently serving his second term as a high school representative on the Board of Directors for the National Band Association. Mr. Temple is a co-founding member and President Elect of the Illinois committee for Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP). In 2015, Mr. Temple was recognized by his colleagues with the "Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award" presented by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. He is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the honorary society, Phi Beta Mu.

    Mr. Temple has presented multiple clinic sessions at the Indiana and Illinois State Music Conferences including, "Analyzing for Meaning," " Student-Centered Instruction in a Band Rehearsal," " Writing Innovative Curricula for Performance-Based Classes," and "The Impact of Music Selection on Student Learning." In December 2014, he presented a session at the Midwest Clinic, and he will present there again this year. Mr. Temple has also presented at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Illinois State University, and Ball State University. He frequently serves as a clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States.

  • Referred to as the “Band Pioneer,” A.R. McAllister would help to promote the high school band movement in the early 1900’s.

    Part one of A.R. McAllister takes us through his early years up to the National High School Band contests in the 1930s.

    My sources for this episode included scholarly writings from Philip Hash, Illinois State University, and Jeffry L. Kluball, Jeff Kluball, Darton College. Additionally, information was taken from resources such as School Musician Magazine, the Joliet Herald News, the Joliet Spectator, The Joliet Township High School Band Alumni Association, and other documents housed at Joliet Township High School - Central Campus.

    FULL BIO from the Joliet Township High School Band Alumni Association:

    In 1913, A.R. McAllister, a manual arts instructor who played the cornet, was asked to organize a band for Joliet Township High School. Mr. McAllister, who grew up on a farm in Jackson Township, bought a cornet at age 14 with profits he earned from selling his pig at the Will County Fair. He studied music under James H. Ward, director of Ward's Boy Band in Joliet. Prior to directing the JT band, McAllister organized the Trinity Girl's Band in 1905 and performed with local ensembles, including the Dellwood Park Band and Joliet Steelworkers Industrial Band.

    Under Mr. McAllister's leadership, the band won state championships from 1924-26 and national championships from 1926-28. In their hometown, the band received permanent possession of the trophy in 1928 and was praised by John Philip Sousa (see photo below). The band was exempt to play at the 1929 contest in Denver, but performed as an exhibition group. In 1931, the band regained the national title.

    In 1936, McAllister lead his young musicians through a week of nine performances at Radio City Music Hall where the band performed an Easter show with the Rockettes, playing for a total of 160,000 people. The band played for draftees, and was known as "the minute men" because they were always ready - day or night to perform for soldiers traveling through Joliet.

    Mr. McAllister became a nationally recognized leader of the school band movement and was known as "the father of the high school band program." McAllister helped organize the National School Band Association in 1926. He was elected vice-president the same year before serving as president for 14 years. On Sept. 30, 1944, McAllister died at age 63.