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.