Andrea Brown - Episode 40
Directors Circle
Dr. Andrea Brown is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. At UM, Dr. Brown conducts several ensembles including the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band.
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Timothy Holtan - Episode 39
Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds.
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Timothy Holtan - Episode 39
Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Timothy Holtan. Col. Holtan holds the distinction of being the first officer to command all three of the U.S. Army’s premier bands. Since retiring in 2017, he currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maryland Winds.
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Peter Boonshaft - Episode 38
Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Dr. Peter Boonshaft. Dr. Boonshaft, Director of Education for Jupiter Brand Instruments and KHS America Academic Alliance, is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. Dr. Boonshaft is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music. Dr. Boonshaft is also a Spokesperson for Alfred Music.
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Ryan Nowlin - Episode 37
Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Mr. Ryan Nowlin who is a well-regarded composer, educator, and conductor. Ryan is the Assistant Director for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and is a co-author of the famous “Tradition Of Excellence” method series. In our conversation, Ryan talks about his work as a composer and how he approaches working with ensembles.
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Michael Haithcock - Episode 36
Directors Circle
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Michael Haithcock who is the Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. During our conversation, Michael shares his thoughts on ways to engage students in rehearsal and leading a program to musical excellence.
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Dennis Glocke - Episode 35
Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with my friend and mentor, Mr. Dennis Glocke. Dennis has recently retired as the Director of Concert Bands at Penn State University where he has led several ensembles and taught courses in conducting. In our conversation, Dennis shares many lessons on music-making and teaching that he has learned over his career as a music educator.
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Lori Schwartz Reichl - Episode 34
Directors Circle
In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lori Schwartz Reichl. Lori is an author, clinician, and music educator who is well known for her contributions to publications such as In Tune Magazine and Making Music Magazine. In this interview, Lori shares her ideas on setting up students for success and incorporating diversity into musical experiences.
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Theresa Hoover Ducassoux - Episode 33
Directors Circle
This episode features my interview with Theresa Hoover Ducassoux. Theresa is a well-known music educator and writer with her blog, Off the Beaten Path: A Music Teacher’s Journey. In our conversation, Theresa shares many of her ideas on integrating technology into the classroom and student empowerment.
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Scott Watson - Episode 32
Directors Circle
This episode features my conversation with Dr. Scott Watson. In addition to being an acclaimed composer for band and orchestra, Scott is well known for his work as an educator, author, and clinician.
info_outlineHave you ever wondered what it would be like having a career as a renowned performer and music education training specialist? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Brenda Brenner from Indiana University to discuss her roles as a professional musician, studio instructor, and professor of music education. She also talks about her work with the Fairview Violin Project, a program in which every first and second grader in an underserved school is taught violin as part of the curriculum.
Topics include:
(03:28) Brenda talks about his life and professional background
(07:50) Brenda talks about making the decision to teach in addition to performing
(11:20) Brenda talks about what she has learned from teaching music education courses and leading a collegiate violin studio
(15:55) Skills students need to have as the enter the workforce
(29:10) Brenda talks about her work with the Fairview Violin Project
(49:00) Outcomes for students who participated in the Fairview Project
(53:35) Why do we teach music?
(59:31) Favorite rehearsal tactics
(1:02:10) Brenda discusses leaders that have made an impact on his life
(1:04:15) Three words to describe an outstanding leader of a comprehensive music program
(1:05:45) Advice for music educators
(1:06:35) Being remembered as a leader for your music program
Links:
Dr. Brenner’s IU website: http://info.music.indiana.edu/faculty/current/brenner-brenda.shtml
Fairview Violin Project website: https://music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/fairview-violin-project/
Footage of Brenner teaching at the Fairview Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc8ArJT17W0
Fairview Project Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnQVG_C8Tlo
Brenner performing as a featured soloist at the 2009 Midwest Clinic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q8dK9N5OzM
Bio:
Brenda Brenner is associate professor of music in music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin and courses in violin and string pedagogy.
Brenner earned a B.M. and a B.M.E. from Wichita State University and an M.M. and a D.M.A. in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her appointment to the Jacobs Music Education Department, she serves as co-director of the IU String Academy, a position she has held since 1993. Her String Academy students have been featured in concerts in major venues throughout the United States and have presented tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America.
As director of the Fairview Project—a program in which every first and second grader in an underserved school is taught violin as part of the curriculum—Brenner is researching the cognitive, academic, and social outcomes of early instrumental music instruction.
An active performer of chamber music throughout the United States, she partners with pianist Kenneth Huber and her husband, organist Christopher Young. She also teaches and conducts at the IU Summer String Academy and is assistant director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists.
Additionally, she is an active international clinician, with recent appearances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, American String Teachers Association National Conferences, and Music Educators Conferences throughout the United States. She is president of the American String Teachers Association.