Pursuit of Music Podcast

Ben and Michael sit down with owner of InVersion Band, guitarist, pilot, and software engineer, Phillip Holmes. 

Ben and Michael have a discussion with Dallas Brass members Garrett Klein and Buddy Deshler to talk brass ensembles and chamber music generally, along with musical pedagogy. 

Musician 1st Class Myles Blakemore is a native of Dallas, TX. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Trombone Performance from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s degree in Orchestral Performance from Manhattan School of Music. His teachers include Per Brevig, John Kitzman, and James McNair.

Prior to entering the Navy, Blakemore held fellowships with the Minnesota Orchestra, New World Symphony in FL, and Symphony in C in NJ. Professionally, he has performed with the Charleston Symphony, Dallas Symphony, and Malaysian Philharmonic. In addition to his education, he has been a member of the Aspen Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, Lake George Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, and Spoleto Music Festival USA.

In 2018, Blakemore auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following recruit training at RTC Great Lakes, he reported for duty as trombonist with the brass ensemble, marching band, and ceremonial units.

In this episode, Ben and Michael discuss audition success and hear what Myles' story is as a musician, and also discuss how to integrate more minority communities into classical music.  

Cody McClarty is the Assistant Principal Trumpet Player of the Fort Worth Symphony and a member of Fort Worth Brass. 

In this episode, former 3rd director at Prosper High School, Spencer Smith, and current 2nd director of Hurst Junior High, Jacob Groening, join Ben and Michael to discuss the implications and reactions to COVID-19.

In this episode, Brandon, Michael, Ben, and Jason discuss the coronavirus situation and answer a few questions from local listeners.

In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss the implications of COVID-19 and how to go about maintaining structure in your life during this time.

Ben and Michael are honored to be joined by newly appointed head band director of Hays Middle School, Mr. Ben Aune. His bio is as follows:

Benjamin Aune will return to Prosper for his 16th year in music education as the new Director of Bands at Hays Middle School in Prosper, TX.  Mr. Aune will conduct the Symphonic Winds, assist and oversee all middle school ensembles, and teach beginner brass classes.

Mr. Aune most recently comes from Celina ISD where he was the director of bands for Celina High School.  During his time there, the program grew by over 100% and all ensembles routinely received “Superior” ratings at UIL competitions and festivals. The Bobcat Marching Band was an area qualifier at the UIL level and was a silver medalist at the Bands of America DFW regional.

​Before his time in Celina, Mr. Aune was a member of the staff in Prosper ISD.  There, he team-taught a number of different ensembles grades 6-12 as a brass specialist under the guidance of John Alstrin.  During Mr. Aune’s time in Prosper, ensembles routinely were awarded “Superior” contest ratings, named “Most Outstanding” at festivals and contests, and increased in membership by nearly 50%.  The Prosper High School Marching Band qualified for the 5A Region 24 Marching Band Finals for the first time in school history. 

​From 2012-2014 Mr. Aune was on the campus of Texas Christian University.  As a Master conducting student of Mr. Bobby R. Francis, Mr. Aune assisted with all aspects of the TCU band program as a Graduate Associate to the University Bands. In addition to giving music education lectures to undergraduate students, Mr. Aune rehearsed and conducted the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Horned Frog Marching Band.  Mr. Aune was awarded his Master of Music in Wind Conducting in May of 2014.

​Prior to his appointment at TCU, Mr. Aune learned from Christine Cumberledge as the Associate Band Director at Central Junior High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. There his duties included conducting and rehearsing a number of award winning ensembles including two Concert bands, the Jazz band, and instructing the beginning brass and percussion classes. During the 2009-2010 academic year, Mr. Aune was named the District Teacher of the Year for HEB ISD and was nominated as a finalist in Region XI for State Teacher of the Year. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Mr. Aune held the same position at Vivian Field Middle School in Carrollton – Farmers Branch ISD studying under Tricia Crowder before moving to HEB.

​Mr. Aune received his B.A. in Music Education from Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. During his studies, he received multiple performance awards as well as the Jones Fine Arts award for outstanding musicianship. His principal instruments are the bass trombone and trombone, which he studied under Chris Branagan. During Mr. Aune’s undergraduate work, he played in a variety of different ensembles including the Symphonic Winds, Jazz Band, and Orchestra under the direction of Keith Dye.  In addition to his studies, he also provided private instrument instruction to a number of band programs in the Seguin area. Mr. Aune did his student teaching at Reagan High School in San Antonio, TX benefiting from the instruction of Mark and Carol Chambers.

​Mr. Aune is a graduate of L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, TX.  Mr. Aune was influenced greatly by many great band directors in high school including Joe Grzybowski, Steve Madsen, Jeremy Earnhart, Michael Boone, Brian Youngblood, and John Pollard.

​Mr. Aune is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife of 12 years Lindsey, sons Anders (7), Abraham (3), and daughter Adaline (5).  He is an avid follower of all TCU sports and is a life-long fan of the Minnesota Vikings.

Dr. Jason Oliver is one of DFW's most successful freelance trombone players, gigging nearly every weekend around the metroplex and maintaining a studio that is constantly at capacity and even includes a waiting list. Pursuit of Music is honored to be joined by Dr. Oliver to discuss the life of a freelance musician.