Works by composer Randall Standridge are consistently among the highest selling and most widely performed music each year. In this episode, he offers insight into his music and career as a composer.

Topics:

• A brief overview of Randall’s career from college student at Arkansas State through the success of his works Afterburn and Adrenaline Engines.
• Randall’s family influences and high school teachers who fostered his creativity, his first (and only) teaching job, and the story of his transition to becoming a full time composer.
• Thoughts about composition and Grand Mesa Marching.
• The story of how Percy Grainger and a guiro led to the creation of the huge Grade 1 consortium for his work Frogs.

Links:

• Randall Standridge
• Grand Mesa Music Marching Band
• Barnes: Fantasy Variations of a Theme of Nicholo Paganini
• Standridge: Frogs
• Standridge: The Nine

Biography:

Randall Standridge (b.1976) received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Arkansas State University.  During this time, he studied composition with Dr. Tom O'Connor, before returning to Arkansas State University to earn his Master's in Music Composition, studying with Dr. Tom O'Connor and Dr. Tim Crist. In 2001, he began his tenure as Director of Bands at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Arkansas.  He left this post in 2013 to pursue a career as a full-time composer and marching band editor for Grand Mesa Music Publishers.

Mr. Standridge is currently published by Grand Mesa Music, Alfred Music, FJH Music, Wingert-Jones Music, Band Works Publications, Twin Towers Music, and Northeastern Music Publications.  Mr. Standridge's music is performed internationally.  He has had numerous works selected to the J.W. Pepper's editor's choice. His composition Snake Charmer,published by Grand Mesa Music, was included in Teaching Music through Performance in Band Vol. 8, and his work Gently Blows the Summer Wind is included in Teaching Music Through Performance in Middle School Band.  His works Steel, Gadget, Snake Charmer, The Rowan Tree, Still Still Still, That Old Hound Dog Rag, Danse Bohémien, Aggressivo, When the Spring Rain Begins to Fall, Danse Carnivale, Ruckus, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Angelic Celebrations, Extremis, Darklands Legends, DarkHeart, Companion of My Voice, Kinetic Dances, Brave Spirit, Frogs, Under the Cherry Blossoms, Dark Ride, Four: On a Remix of Beethoven, Imaginarium, and In the Court of the King have been performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.  His work Art(isms) was premiered by the Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble at the 2010 CBDNA conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  Mr. Standridge is also a contributing composer for Alfred Music's Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series.

In addition to his career as a composer, Mr. Standridge is active as a clinician.  He is also in demand as a drill designer, music arranger, and colorguard designer for the marching arts, as well as a freelance artist/photographer and writer.  He lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his family.

Courtney Snyder is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Michigan, the president-elect of the Women Band Directors International, and a panelist for the brand new ...And We Were Heard project.

Topics:

• Courtney’s background and the stories of some of the teachers who influenced her career.
• The story of “And We Were Heard”, a new project designed to record and promote the music of composers from underrepresented communities.
• The value and importance of programming music by a diverse group of composers.
• Challenges faced by women conductors and Courtney’s advice for young women who are interested in a career as a composer or a conductor.
• Building connections and being aware of our surroundings so that we can find and offer the help that we and others need.

Links:

• Courtney Snyder
• …And We Were Heard
• Schachter: "Karnatakamallika"
• Valerie Coleman
• Schwantner: “...And the Mountains Rising Nowhere”
• Women Band Directors International Composition Competition

Biography:

Dr. Courtney Snyder is associate director of bands and assistant professor of conducting at the University of Michigan, where she directs the Concert Band, teaches conducting, and directs the Michigan Youth Wind Band – a group of select, auditioned high school students from area high schools. Under her direction, the Concert Band was invited to perform at the College Band Directors Association North-Central Division Conference. Previously, Snyder served as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nebraska – Omaha where she directed the “Maverick” Marching Band, was conductor of the Concert Band and associate conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and taught courses in conducting, music education, and brass methods. While in Omaha, Snyder served as Music Director for the Nebraska Wind Symphony, which, also under her direction, was invited to perform at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Annual Conference. Prior to directing college ensembles, Snyder taught high school and middle school band and orchestra in the Michigan public schools.

Mark is joined by Sean Smith from the Source Material Podcast and Olin Hannum from the AMusEd Podcast as we have a conversation about our expectations for the 2018 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In the episode we discuss a few sessions we're interested in, take some time to talk about creativity in the large ensemble, and offer some advice for first time attendees.

The Music Teacher Development Podcast Network is a network of podcasts with the common goal of providing support for music education in the form of audio on demand programming designed by, and for music educators. In addition to Everything Band, Source Material, and AMusEd, the fourth podcast in our network is the Anacrusic Podcast hosted by Anne Mileski.

Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.

John Bogenschutz, the creator of the band and music themed Tone Deaf Comics tells the story of why he switched from band director and composer to comic strip creator and offers thoughts about our community from a very different perspective.

Topics:

• John’s early musical background and his experience as a band director and composer.
• How being a stand-up comedian is similar to being a band director.
• The story of the founding of Tone Deaf Comics and the development of the strip’s style.
• How John comes up with ideas and anecdotes about some of the notable composers and conductors who have appeared in the strip.

Links:

• Tone Deaf Comics
• “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
• Mahler: Symphony no. 2 “Resurrection”

Biography:

Tone Deaf Comics was created, and is ran, by John Bogenschutz. John received a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Northern Kentucky University. He was also a band director for a couple of years, a music arranger for about ten years and now cartoonist. He also has 3 published compositions to his credit (Hymn for the Altruistic, Red Rocks Fanfare, and Contambiance Fanfare). John currently lives in Union, KY with his beautiful wife and three sons.

-------- ​ Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.

The Director of Bands at the University of Missouri, Brian Silvey joins the show to talk about his background, music teacher education, and the importance of conducting gestures.

Topics:

• Brian’s background as a young trombonist from rural Kentucky, the lessons he learned from his band director, and his path to becoming the director of bands at the University of Missouri.
• Music teacher education and the challenges faced by young teachers and the resources to help young teachers succeed.
• Thoughts about differentiated teaching in band, particularly keeping the students who are pushing ahead of their classmates occupied and engaged while not discouraging others.
• Brian’s research into expressive conducting and some interesting findings about the importance of what conductors do on the podium.
• The types of classroom routines that are most effective for classroom management and good rehearsals.

Links:

• Brian Silvey
• The University of Missouri School of Music
• Maslanka: A Child's Garden of Dreams
• Vaughn-Williams: Symphony no. 5

Biography:

Brian A. Silvey is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Missouri. At MU, he teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and provides oversight to the entire band program. Dr. Silvey has presented music education research and teacher preparation clinics at state, national, and international venues. Recent presentations have included the International Society for Music Education conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (2018), the Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia (2018), the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (2017), and the College Band Directors National Association conference in Kansas City, Missouri (2017). He is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Band Research, and the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. He serves currently as Associate Editor/Editor-Elect of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education and as Editor of the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education. In addition, he also serves on the editorial board of the College Band Directors National Association Research Journal.

His research interests include conducting expressivity and effectiveness, instrumental conducting pedagogy, and preservice teacher preparation. Dr. Silvey is the past recipient of the MU Writing Intensive Teaching Excellence Award, the School of Music Faculty Excellence Award, and the Gold Chalk Award for Teaching Excellence. He is an experienced events adjudicator, guest conductor, and guest clinician, having worked with bands across the United States.

President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music, Charlie Menghini enjoyed a long career as a music educator in the Kansas City area before joining the faculty at VanderCook. In this episode he shares wisdom and anecdotes from a remarkable career.

Topics:

• Charlie’s background growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and how an influential 7th grade band teacher nurtured and inspired a young cornet player.
• How a speech by John Paynter at Bands of America and a subsequent meeting with his former high school band director helped a young Charlie understand the value of the high school music teacher.
• After following Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser to the University of Missouri, the story of how Charlie got his first high school teaching job at Winnetonka High School outside of Kansas City.
• Your first big mistake is not an indicator of your future success and other anecdotes from Charlie’s first job.
• Practical tips and thoughts about getting better as a band director, as well as thoughts about building connections and creating relationships.

Links:

• Charles Menghini
• Stan Kenton Big Band with Maynard Ferguson
• VanderCook College of Music

Biography:

Dr. Charles T. Menghini is President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Menghini served as President and Director of Bands from August of 2004 through May of 2017, and prior to that time served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Bands. He began his teaching at VanderCook College in 1994 and in addition to being Director of Bands he taught instrumental conducting, organization and administration, curriculum and supervision, brass methods and rehearsal techniques classes.

Dr. Menghini brought 18 years of successful high school band experience in Missouri and Kansas with his appointment to VanderCook. Bands under his direction received consistent Division I ratings in regional, state and national music festivals, performed at various state music educator conventions and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, Bands of America International Festival and the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada.

Originally from Iron Mountain, MI, Dr. Menghini attended Northern Michigan University and the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music education. He also holds a master's degree in educational administration and a Doctorate of Arts in wind conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Dr. Menghini recognizes Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, Gary Green and Gary Hill as being the most influential teachers in his growth and development.

Dr. Menghini is co-author of the Essential Elements Band Method, published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.  He also writes for numerous professional journals and magazines including InTune Monthly, School Band and Orchestra and The Instrumentalist, where he serves as a member of the Board of Advisors.

Dr. Menghini8 frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and has actively worked with over 350 school and community ensembles from 20 states as well as Canada, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. He has conducted all-state ensembles in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Georgia, South Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Virginia and Minnesota, and has presented numerous clinics at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and various state and regional music education in-services throughout the world.

Dr. Menghini is a Lowell Mason Fellow and a member of the American Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education and Phi Beta Mu. He was inducted into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society for Music – the highest honor a conservatory faculty can bestow on a student in recognition of outstanding musicianship and scholarly achievement, and is an honorary member of the Xi Kappa (VanderCook) Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Dr. Menghini is an educational consultant for the Hal Leonard Corporation and the Conn-Selmer musical instrument company. In addition, Dr. Menghini is an educational member of the Music Achievement Council of the NAMM Foundation. An active performer, he played lead trumpet in the Kansas City Chiefs Professional Football Band and serves as the official trumpeter of the City Club of Chicago.

-------- ​ Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.

Sister Gail Buckman has been teaching in the St. Louis are since 1968, and I recently had a chance to visit Sister Gail in her band room at St. Gabriel the Archangel School. Here is my conversation with this truly remarkable music educator.

Topics:

• Sister Gail’s early career and influences.
• The importance of always trying to learn from others and the value of mentors.
• “No one rises to low expectations”
• A brief conversation about fundraising.
• A discussion of classroom management and tips for regaining control if it’s been lost.
• Why music is the one of the few things that parents can’t help their students with and why that, and the need for practice is so valuable for kids.
• Why having students name their instruments can be a valuable teaching strategy.

 Links:

• St. Gabriel the Archangel School
• De Haan: Yellow Mountains

Biography:

Sister Gail Buckman is in her 50th year of teaching and has taught music in the St. Louis/St. Charles area for the past 47 years. For the past 23 years she has, and is currently teaching instrumental music at St. Gabriel the Archangel School in St. Louis. She teaches students in grades four through eight in Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Jazz Bands. Sister Gail is a member of St. Louis District 8 of MMEA, and currently serves as Secretary for that District. Sister Gail is active in many facets of Music education: she is Assistant Director with the St. Charles Municipal Band; she is a staff member at the Viking Band Camp in Hillsboro, MO; she is a staff member with Missouri Ambassadors of Music European Tours; and has served as adjudicator/clinician around Missouri and Illinois. Sister Gail received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Notre Dame College in St. Louis, and a Master Degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. She holds affiliations in National Association of Music Educators, Catholic Educators Association, National Catholic Band Association, Missouri Music Educators’ Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA), and is a member of Phi Beta Mu. Sister Gail belongs to the religious community of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Composer and arranger Rob Romeyn joins me this week to talk about his career, the lessons he learned from great mentors as a young arranger, and his current work with C.L. Barnhouse.

Topics:

• Rob’s background growing up in Florida and his exposure to some of the great names in the music education and marching arts communities during his early career in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• The story of a band arranging class taught by Bob Cotter that exposed Rob to band music and arranging while still in high school.
• How conducting a community band led to Rob’s transition to writing for concert band and his introduction to Andy Glover at C.L. Barnhouse.
• Rob’s current compositional process, the value of writing holiday music, and how he formulates a plan for each piece that he writes.

Links:

• Rob Romeyn
• C.L. Barnhouse
• Second Time Arounders Marching Band
• Walton: Crown Imperial
• Romeyn: Soar with Dragons
• Romeyn: Apollo: Myth and Legend
• Romeyn: Atlantis: The Lost Continent

Biography:

Rob Romeyn’s (b. 1961) music career has been multi-faceted and diverse. He has served as a performer, conductor, educator and as a composer and arranger. As a band director, he has directed bands from the elementary level to adult community groups. His first composition for band was published at age 19. His ability to write effective and educationally sound music for bands and string orchestras of all levels can be attributed to his vast teaching experiences.

Many elementary, middle school, high school, university, community bands and string orchestras worldwide have performed his arrangements and compositions. He has been commissioned to write for marching band, concert band, string orchestra and jazz ensemble. His concert band and orchestra music is on many state required music lists. Many of his works are featured as “Editor’s Choice” selections at all levels by major music distributors. His music has seen extensive airplay worldwide. Many of his arrangements have been featured on national television, including portions of the Peach Bowl halftime shows for 2000-2001, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Mr. Romeyn is a member of the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers. Much of his music has been recorded, and is available on CD and download through Walking Frog Records and other music outlets. He is in demand as a guest conductor for honor bands, and regularly accepts new commissions. His conducting and rehearsal style has been described as inspiring and energetic.

Mr. Romeyn received a M.M. Ed. Degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He served as staff arranger for the University of Louisiana at Monroe “Sound of Today” band from 1983-1986. His graduate assistant duties at ULM in addition to arranging included conducting the university concert band and the basketball pep band. Mr. Romeyn also served as staff arranger at James Madison University. He was the director of the St. Petersburg Community Band in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1994-2013.

-------- ​ Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.

Ron Sikes has been a band director in Jefferson County Missouri for 19 years and a MMEA Past Jazz Vice President. In many ways, Ron embodies the growth mindset and in this episode he discusses his relentless pursuit of personal growth in all that he does.

Topics:

• Ron’s background growing up and the winding road that he took to becoming a music teacher and music professional.
• Thoughts about jazz education, tips for teaching improvisation, and how those experiences led to Ron composing music for his own band and eventually those around him.
• The importance of taking private lessons on instruments that you don’t know well and advice for bartering your knowledge in exchange for those of another musician.
• Working with other composers, especially Gary Gackstatter (Episode 12) and the value that these collaborations bring to his students and the audience.

Links:

• MLO Music Publications
• Jefferson R-VII School District
• Funky Butt Brass Band
• Missouri Music Education Symposium
• Wagner: Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral
• Elgar: Nimrod from the Enigma Variations
• Wagner: Overture to Rienzi

Biography:

Ron Sikes began teaching in the Jefferson R-VII School District (Festus, Missouri) in 2000. His responsibilities include 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Jazz Band, High School Jazz/Salsa Band, and High School Band. In 2011, The Jefferson High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. In 2013, he started conducting the Jefferson College Concert Band director. In addition to his many teaching responsibilities, Sikes maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, composer, percussionist, drum set artist, frottoirist, and jazz vibraphonist.

As a composer, Sikes has written music for concert bands, jazz bands, and professional bands. His compositions have been performed all over the country. In 2009, Ron authored and self-published the beginning band method book, “Keys to Success.”

As a performer, Ron performs with the Funky Butt Brass Band (drum set), Gumbohead (congas, timbales, frottoir), and Southside Creole Playboys (cajon/frottoir). Other playing credits include: Boudin Bros., Musica SLESA, Rhythm Section Road Show, Big Chief, All Roostered Up, Shane Maue, The Trophy Mules, Paul Winter, Eugene Friesen, Darol Anger, Barbara Higbie, Tommy Halloran, Stratus, Mama's Pride, Pat Liston, Danny Liston, Snarky Gargoyles, Thunder Biscuit Orchestra, Big Mike Aguirre and the Blu City All-Stars, Preston Hubbard, & Rockin' Jake. He has performed all over the country and recorded over 20 CD’s with various artists from all genres.

Mr. Sikes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1999 from University of MO-St. Louis. In 2008, he completed his Masters in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University. Ron has been influenced by some of the finest educators, including Mark Trautwein, Brad Madson, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. William Richardson, Marvin Sparks, Jeff Hamilton, Sally Herman, Dennis Reis & Ray Hunt.

Sikes’ professional affiliations include the MBA, Phi Beta Mu, NAfME, MOJAE, MMEA, and MSTA, and remains active as performer, teacher, and clinician throughout the area. Ron Sikes loves his titanium snare made by Dynamicx Drums and is endorsed by Lewi Custom Cajons and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets.

Steve Graves has been a middle school band director in Orange County, California for over 30 years. In this episode he shares his advice about teaching middle school including some really great advice for young band teachers.

Topics:

• Steve’s background and his career as a successful middle school band director.
• Great teaching is not about teaching people to play instruments but rather to teach young musicians to be great people.
• Classroom management and thoughts about how to create a set of expectations that help students to stay on task.
• Steve and I get into the weeds about teaching beginners and he shares some wonderful advice about teaching time and articulation.
• The value of commissions for both students and composers.

Links:

• Standridge: Frogs
• Jager: Esprit De Corps
• Reed: Russian Christmas Music

Biography:

Currently in his 32nd year of teaching junior high band, Steve is the band direct and VAPA chairperson at Lexington Junior High School in Cypress, CA. An active adjudicator for marching bands, concert festivals, and indoor drumline, Steve is also a frequent clinician and guest conductor. While unpublished, Steve has been writing and arranging for bands and percussion ensembles since 1980, and his method books, "Great Beginnings - Warm Ups for Second-Year Bands" and "Notes, Drills, and Tunes - a beginning band method" are in use by schools across the country. Steve stays active as a regular performer in wind ensembles, big bands, and rock/R&B groups, and is a graduate of California State University Long Beach, and earned his masters degree from the American Band College.

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Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.