It's been quite a run, but all good things must come to an end. A special thank you to all of my listeners, all of my guests, and to my sponsors Celtic Horizons and Kaleidoscope Adventures. All of your support and belief in this show kept me going for so many episodes.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Jake Walker, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the final 50 or so episodes to create the website, change the branding, and create the amazing images we see for the final run of the show. He's been invaluable to me and I couldn't have gotten as far as I did without him. Ditto Colin Peters who wasn't with me for as long as Jake, but who helped relieve some of my work load by taking on the scheduling for me for a while. Both of them have my gratitude.
If you ever want to talk about anything and everything band, please feel free to reach out to me at mark.connorprincipia.edu. Replace the with an @ and you're good to go! I plan on retiring from this job, so barring something unfortunate, I should be at that email address for a while.
Thank you all so much for everything. You're the best, and remember to help your students become their best selves through music!
Episode 211 - Benjamin Taylor
Sunday, June 16, 2024 • Duration 52:40
Benjamin Dean Taylor (born 1983), has been described as “elegant and energetic” (Kenneth Thompson) and “powerful and direct with delightful surprises in each work.” (Marilyn Shrude) Having grown up as a performer in jazz, rock, ska, country, and concert bands as well as in choirs and orchestras, Taylor is driven to write music that highlights the strengths of each performing ensemble. His catalog of more than 100 works covers a large range of styles and genres including music written for orchestra, wind band, opera, choir, jazz big band, gamelan, chamber ensembles, and soloists with live electronics. Further, Taylor has written music for multimedia collaborations with dancers, filmmakers, poets, and visual artists.
Mary Cogswell is the current president of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, the editor of the Beginning Band Adaptable series, and a long time beginning band teacher. If you teach beginners, this is the episode for you!
Episode 111 - Charlie McGhee
Season 3 · Episode 111
Monday, May 13, 2019 • Duration 53:44
Charles McGhee is the band director at Double Peak School in the San Marcos Unified School District, just North of San Diego. This is Charlie’s final year as a band director and he joins the show to share some of the wisdom he's learned in 30 years of teaching.
Topics:
Charlie’s background as a percussionist and his choice to go to college in his 20’s to earn his teaching credential.
A long discussion about some of the skills required to be a successful middle school music educator including topics such as discipline and motivational tools.
Charlie’s current gig at Double Peak and the interesting way that his students are introduced to instrumental music.
To offer saxophone or not in beginning band day one?
This is Charlie’s retirement year and we talk about his feelings as he approaches the end of his time as a full time music teacher.
Charlie McGhee is in his 30th year as a Middle School music teacher. He began his career in Escondido Union School District and for the last 25 years he has been teaching in the San Marcos Unified School District. During his tenure as a music teacher, Charlie has had the privilege of starting music programs in 5 different North County schools; Rincon Middle, L.R. Green, Woodland Park Middle, San Elijo Middle and Double Peak K-8 School.
Charlie’s current assignment is Double Peak K-8 School where he was able to design an intensive music program for all the students Kinder thru 8th grade, which involves music classes twice a week for the younger grades. Then, in the upper grades everyone gets class instruction on recorders, violin, Clarinet, and finally on trumpet before starting their career in Beginning Band.
Episode 110- Jacquie Dawson
Season 3 · Episode 110
Monday, May 6, 2019 • Duration 01:05:03
Jacquie Dawson is the Director of Bands at the University of Manitoba. Prior to this position she was a highly successful band director at several schools in the Winnipeg area.
Topics:
Jacquie's early musical education including a discussion of an early move from flute to clarinet and the music teacher who helped her find the right instrument.
Jacquie's difficult first year as a music teacher and the lessons that we can take from her experience.
Her teaching career, building a culture and community around her band programs, and her move the University of Manitoba.
Noted for her unique ability to create an inspiring ensemble experience and sculpt an impressive wind band sound, Jacquie Dawson has had a marked impact on the wind band community in Manitoba for two decades. She is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator across Canada. Jacquie has been published in the Canadian Music Educator Journal and the Canadian Winds Journal, and has presented at numerous conferences across Canada including the Canadian Music Educators’ Association National Conference. Her research interests are in community music, the relationship between music education and the cultivation of community, as well as inclusion in instrumental music education.
Episode 109 - Omar Thomas
Season 3 · Episode 109
Monday, April 29, 2019 • Duration 47:18
Composer Omar Thomas is one of the brightest new talents in the band community, using his jazz background to write powerful works with a social conscience.
Topics:
Omar’s background in his high school music program and a young trombonist and why he doesn’t remember his high school cafeteria.
Some tips for teaching jazz and some advice for teaching the language of swing.
The story about how Omar was commissioned to write his first large scale work for wind ensemble (“Of our New Day Begun”) to honor the victims of the shooting a the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
“When does an opportunity present itself when you’re ready? The answer is never.”
Omar’s position at the Peabody Conservatory and the lessons that musicians can take from dancers.
Described as "elegant, beautiful, sophisticated, intense, and crystal clear in emotional intent," the music of Omar Thomas continues to move listeners everywhere it is performed. Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York in 1984, Omar moved to Boston in 2006 to pursue a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. He is the protégé of lauded composers and educators Ken Schaphorst and Frank Carlberg, and has studied under multiple Grammy-winning composer and bandleader Maria Schneider.
Episode 108 - Cathi Leibinger
Season 3 · Episode 108
Monday, April 22, 2019 • Duration 01:03:34
Cathi Leibinger is the band director at Ransom Everglades Middle School, the current president of the Florida Bandmasters Association, and knows just about everyone in the band world!
Topics:
Cathi’s early musical experiences, her educational background, and early experiences as a horn player and music educator.
The organization of the program at Ransom Everglades Middle School and some discussion of the specific pedagogical decisions Cathi has made with her students.
The Band Director's Facebook group.
Cathi’s long association with the American Band College and why she seems to know everyone.
Cathi shares an anecdote about Sam Pilafian and then talks a bit about her impostor syndrome and how she deals with it.
Cathi Leibinger is currently in her 30th year of teaching middle school in Miami Florida. she is the current president of the Florida Bandmasters Association and has been a staff member at the American Band College since 1999. With degrees from Millikin University and Southern Oregon University, Cathi is the founder and executive director of the Music Mentor Network.
Episode 107 - Onsby Rose
Season 3 · Episode 107
Monday, April 15, 2019 • Duration 55:55
Composer and conductor Onsby Rose has had a remarkably diverse career as a performer, teacher, and railroad conductor and was recently appointed Director of Instrumental Activities/Associate Professor of Music at Dordt College.
Topics:
An overview of Onsby’s remarkably diverse career including a discussion about being a Marine Corps musician and his move to the classroom after a career working with professionals.
How Onsby started to compose, his relationship with David Maslanka, and his recent success as a composer.
His thoughts about what’s most important to teach aspiring music educators.
Onsby C. Rose hails from Royal Oak, Mi but grew up primarily in Abingdon, Va. Upon graduation from Abingdon High School in 1993, Mr. Rose attended the University of South Carolina as a music education major. After three years of studies, Onsby auditioned and was accepted a trombone instrumentalist for the US Marine Corps Fleet Band system. He then attended recruit training in Parris Island, SC, and Marine Combat training in Camp Lejeune, NC. Private First Class Rose was then transferred to the Armed Forces School of Music where he completed the six-month course of study in only two months. Upon his graduation from the School of Music then Lance Corporal Rose was assigned to the Marine Corps Logistics Base Band in Albany, GA as a trombonist. While there he also served as a music librarian and drill writer/instructor, writing and teaching Drum Corps style fields shows to the band for use at military tattoos. In Oct. of 1999, then Corporal Rose auditioned and was accepted for Duty with one of the two premier musical units in the USMC, The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps “The Commandant’s Own,” and was transferred to historic Marine Barracks 8th and I Streets SE, Washington D.C. While there Sergeant Rose served as a baritone bugler and assistant instrument repairman as well as deploying to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait as musical support. Upon his re-enlistment, Sergeant Rose was transferred back into the Fleet Marine Corps bands as a trombonist with Marine Corps Band New Orleans, in New Orleans, LA. During his four years in the Crescent City, Onsby served as trombone and low brass section head, travel operations chief, brass quintet Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Small Ensemble Leader, Fiscal Chief, platoon sergeant, assistant drum major and assistant conductor. He toured internationally with the Brass quintet and visited 42 states and Europe in the course of his duties. In 2004 upon his promotion to Staff Sergeant he was accepted for the Marine Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Degree Completion Program where he attended East Tennessee State University and finished his Bachelor of Music degree and also studied conducting with Roxanne Haskill. After graduation Staff Sergeant Rose was transferred to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA where he served on staff as brass ensemble rehearsal conductor and registrar for the school of music. In 2007 Mr. Rose was Honorably discharged from the USMC after 11 years of faithful service. He then pursued activities outside the music field while he freelanced as a trombone player in Indiana, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Episode 106 - Brian Balmages
Season 3 · Episode 106
Monday, April 8, 2019 • Duration 01:12:13
Composer and conductor Brian Balmages is the Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company and a passionate advocate for music education.
Topics:
Brian’s background growing up as the son of a band director and the influence his father had on his early musical career.
Brian’s move from performer to composer and conductor and his approach to writing music for young band and orchestra.
The role of the conductor in an ensemble and the importance of programming music that inspires you and your students.
What it looks like to commission a work from Brian and his role at FJH Publications.
Brian Balmages (b. 1975) is an award-winning composer, conductor, producer, and performer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from James Madison University and a master’s degree from the University of Miami in Florida. His compositions have been performed worldwide at the state, national and international level. His active schedule of commissions and premieres has incorporated groups ranging from elementary schools to professional ensembles, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, University of Miami Wind Ensemble, Boston Brass, and the Dominion Brass Ensemble. In 2012, Mr. Balmages received the prestigious Albert Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association. He is also a 2010 winner of the Harvey G. Phillips Award for Compositional Excellence, presented by the International Tuba-Euphonium Association.
As a conductor, Mr. Balmages enjoys engagements with numerous all-state and regional honor bands and orchestras along with university and professional groups. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, National Association for Music Educators, American School Band Directors Association, CBDNA, the Kennedy Center, and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. He has also served as an adjunct professor of instrumental conducting and Acting Symphonic Band Director at Towson University in Maryland.
Episode 105 - Philip Obado
Season 3 · Episode 105
Monday, April 1, 2019 • Duration 01:05:56
Philip Obado is the Director of Bands at Allen ISD in Allen, Texas where he oversees a high school and middle school band program with over 1,800 musicians.
Topics:
The story of how Phil went from dreaming about a career as a concert trombonist to earning a doctorate in conducting and eventually landing as the director of bands for one of the largest high school music programs in the country.
The decision to leave his position as the Assistant Director of Bands at Baylor University to return to high school teaching.
The structure of the program at Allen and how Phil and his assistant directors are able to manage what is very likely the largest marching band in the world by developing a culture of leadership.
A very general conversation about student discipline, having them buy into a program, and teaching by putting the students first.
The extremely hierarchical band boosters at Allen High School and how they support the program.
Dr. Philip A. Obado is currently the Director of Bands at Allen I.S.D. in Allen, Texas. His responsibilities include serving as director of bands at Allen High School where he oversees the Allen Eagle Escadrille as well as conducts the AHS Wind Ensemble, Concert Band White (Fall), Concert Band II (Spring), and Jazz Band II. In addition to Dr. Obado’s teaching duties, he helps maintain a comprehensive and vertically aligned band curriculum (grades 6-12) with the help of the directors at Allen High School, Lowery Freshman Campus, Curtis Middle School, Ereckson Middle School, and Ford Middle School. Dr. Obado was previously Assistant Director of Bands at the Baylor University School of Music. His responsibilities included serving as Associate Director of the Golden Wave Band, director of the Courtside Players, director of the Concert Band, and teaching courses in conducting. Prior to this appointment at Baylor, Dr. Obado was Associate Director of Bands at Illinois State University where he was the director of the Big Red Marching Machine, conducted the Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band, and taught courses in conducting and marching band techniques. He has also enjoyed twelve years teaching in the Florida public schools most notably as the Director of Bands at East River High School (Orlando), University High School (Orlando), and South Fork High School (Stuart).
Although Charlie teaches Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Band, his passion has always been for Jazz band, which he also started at each of his school assignments. In fact, ten years ago, while he was at San Elijo Middle School, he started his own Jazz Festival where, after the students perform and are graded with comments by professionals, the judges and the teachers get up on stage and perform for the students! There is nothing more exciting than for these students to see their director’s play jazz.
Charlie’s philosophy of Music Education stems from the conviction that students need to feel connected to school. Music Education addresses the needs of many students who have not found a connection in their other classes. Therefore, the cornerstone of his philosophy is to first, involve the students in music, then, support and encourage them through “the difficult things like, the rigor of playing an instrument”, and finally instill in them a passion for a lifetime.
Charlie’s Bands consistently score superior ratings at festivals as he holds the highest expectations for his students. During his career, Charlie has been awarded “Teacher of the Year” at four different schools and once was the District Teacher of the Year” for San Marcos Unified. Over the years, he has been sought after as an Honor Band Director and he has presented several Jazz clinics for both CMEA and SCSBOA conferences. Most recently, Charlie was awarded the “Educator of the year” award by the San Diego Youth Symphony at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Charlie incorporates a Parent Band Booster organization to assist him in making the musical experience more exciting and special for the students. Charlie’s students regularly attend festivals and clinics at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. He always has his eye out for new places for his students to perform! Performances always make the experience of playing music fresh and exciting! Charlie has played professionally his entire life on drums and percussion. Among the many bands that Charlie regularly plays with is the Ira Liss Big Band Jazz Machine from San Diego. He has recorded 5 CDs with this organization. Charlie is from San Diego and lives with his wife Jane in Encinitas. When Charlie is not at school or playing music you can find him jogging on the beach or with a fishing pole in his hand.
Hailed by Herbie Hancock as showing "great promise as a new voice in the further development of jazz in the future," educator, arranger, and award-winning composer Omar Thomas has created music extensively in the contemporary jazz ensemble idiom. It was while completing his Master of Music Degree that he was appointed the position of Assistant Professor of Harmony at Berklee College of Music at the surprisingly young age of 23. He was awarded the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award in 2008, and invited by the ASCAP Association to perform his music in their highly exclusive JaZzCap Showcase, held in New York City. In 2012, Omar was named the Boston Music Award's "Jazz Artist of the Year." He is currently on faculty in the Music Theory department at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Omar's music has been performed in concert halls the world over. He has been commissioned to create works in both jazz and classical styles. His work has been performed by such diverse groups as the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, the San Francisco and Boston Gay Mens' Choruses, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, in addition to a number of the country's top collegiate music ensembles. Omar has had a number of celebrated singers perform over his arrangements, including Stephanie Mills, Yolanda Adams, Nona Hendryx, BeBe Winans, Kenny Lattimore, Marsha Ambrosius, Sheila E., Raul Midon, Leela James, Dionne Warwick, and Chaka Khan. His work is featured on Dianne Reeves's Grammy Award-winning album, "Beautiful Life."
Omar's first album, "I AM," debuted at #1 on iTunes Jazz Charts and peaked at #13 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums Chart. His second release, " We Will Know: An LGBT Civil Rigths Piece in Four Movements," has been hailed by Grammy Award-wining drummer, composer, and producer Terri Lyne Carrington as being a "thought provoking, multi-layered masterpiece" which has "put him in the esteemed category of great artists." "We Will Know" was awarded two OUTMusic Awards, including "Album of the Year." For this work, Omar was named the 2014 Lavender Rhino Award recipient by The History Project, acknowledging his work as an up-and-coming activist in the Boston LGBTQ community. Says Terri Lyne: "Omar Thomas will prove to be one of the more important composer/arrangers of his time."
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In 2012, following the death of his wife Julia, Onsby returned to a full time music position and was hired as the Director of Bands at Hampton High School and Elementary in Carter County, TN. Mr. Rose served as the Director of Bands in Hampton for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. During his time there his bands consistently received superior ratings in both marching and concert performances in addition the enrollment in the overall band program increasing 10 fold. Following his time in Tennessee, Onsby was a Graduate Conducting Associate with the Bands of Appalachian State University where he conducted the wind ensembles, team taught music education classes, and helped administrate and teach the athletic bands under the guidance of the Director and Associate Director of Bands. Following his time in the high countrym Onsby was blessed to be accepted as a Graduate Conducting Associate for The Ohio State University. Currently a second year Doctoral Conducting Associate at The Ohio State University, Onsby studies conducting with Dr. Russel Mikkelson. After completion of his DMA, he hopes to become a Director or Associate Director of Bands at a college or university. He is also currently the music director and conductor of The Brass Band of Appalachia from Bristol, Virginia. The group consists of numerous professional brass players from the region coming together to form a British style brass band. Mr. Rose is honored to have been asked to become the first music director and conductor of this new group as well as a co-founder along with his friends Mr. Will Shell, and Dr. Art Haecker.
In his spare time when not being a husband, father and graduate student, Onsby enjoys music composition for winds. His recent composition for wind band entitled Heroes from the Sea is set to have the world premiere by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, on August 30th, 2017 during their concert on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. The work is approximately at the 4.5 grade level and can be purchased on this website or by emailing Onsby directly at onsby.rose@gmail.com.
Onsby is a member of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Band Director Association (TSSBDA), East Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ETSBOA), North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA), National Band Association (NBA), National Association for Music Education (NAFME), College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Service Fraternity, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. He has held positions as a trombonist with the Johnson City Symphony, Kingsport Symphony, Elkhart Symphony, Band of America’s Few Marine Musician Alumni Band, State Line Wind Symphony, Elkhart Municipal Band, Truth in Jazz Big Band, and the various active duty Fleet Marine Corps Bands with which he served. His is the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Unit Citation Award, Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Award, and numerous other awards and citations from his military career.
Onsby currently lives in Blacklick, Ohio with his wife Jessica and their five boys, Aidan, Timothy, Caleb, Elijah, and Colin.
Currently, Mr. Balmages is the Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He resides in Baltimore with his wife Lisa and their two sons.
Originally from Florida, Dr. Obado received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from Michigan State University, a Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Education and Performance from Ithaca College. His primary conducting teachers include Kevin Sedatole, John T. Madden, Stephen Peterson, and James Croft. Dr. Obado’s professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma.
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