Performing Ensembles
CBDNA Bands
Program
- James M. David - Message from Arecibo
- Etienne Charles - Organized Chaos
- Scott McAllister - Death and Disfigurations
- Marie Douglas - Playalisticstagemusik
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Wind Symphony is the premier performing ensemble for wind, brass and percussion students in the department of music. Members are selected through audition each semester and comprise the best musicians on campus. Over twenty unique undergraduate majors are represented in the group from music education to biomedical engineering. The primary objective of this ensemble is to perform literature of the highest musical value with emphasis on works originally written for band and wind ensemble. High expectations for individual musicianship and advanced technical attainment provide members with a musically enriching and artistic performance experience.
Meet the Director
Dr. Sean P. Murray
Dr. Sean P. Murray is a tenured Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He guides the educational and artistic vision of a comprehensive band program that includes the University Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, UAB “Marching Blazers” and Blazer Band. He serves as the conductor of the Wind Symphony and Marching Blazers at UAB. Under his leadership, the Wind Symphony was a featured performer at the 2018 and 2023 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. Dr. Murray’s other responsibilities include teaching undergraduate classes in conducting and music education. Prior to his appointment at UAB, he was associate director of bands at Florida Atlantic University for eleven years.
Dr. Murray is a very active guest clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United States. He has presented at numerous international, national, and state conferences to speak about literature selection, program-branding, and marketing.
Dr. Murray holds a Ph.D. in music education, with an emphasis in instrumental conducting from The Florida State University. His primary conducting teachers were James Croft, Patrick Dunnigan and Richard Clary. Dr. Murray holds professional memberships in the National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Dr. Murray is a member Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Lambda, and holds honorary memberships in Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. He was appointed to the faculty at UAB in 2017.
Program
- Paul Dooley - March Jubilee
- J.S. Bach/Goldman and Leist - Fantasia in G Major
- Joel Puckett - It perched for Vespers nine
- J.P. Sousa - Easter Monday on the White House Lawn
- Erica Muhl - Smoke and Mirrors
- Luis Serrano Alarcón - Pequeña Suite para Banda (Little Suite for Band)
The LSU Symphonic Winds promote high-level music making, focusing on repertoire that encourages artistry as well as fostering strong ensemble skills. Throughout the year, concerts include original wind band works, chamber works, transcriptions, and new music compositions. The LSU Symphonic Winds also hold a proud tradition of collaboration with other performing groups and art forms both on and off campus. The ensemble is committed to providing professional performance opportunities to the students of LSU and the LSU community. Each year, the LSU Symphonic Winds averages 55 musicians and is one of three bands on campus in addition to the LSU Wind Ensemble and the LSU Symphonic Band.
Meet the Director
Simon Holoweiko
Simon Holoweiko is the Associate Director of Bands at Louisiana State University, where he conducts the Symphonic Winds, teaches undergraduate conducting and graduate wind literature, guides doctoral students minoring in conducting, and directs the Golden Band from Tigerland. Holoweiko joined the faculty following successful appointments at Michigan State University and Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida.
After serving as Assistant Director of Bands at MSU, where his duties included Associate Director of the Spartan Marching Band, conductor of the Concert Band, Spartan Youth Wind Symphony, and teaching courses in the College of Music, Holoweiko completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Wind Conducting at Michigan State University as a student of Dr. Kevin Sedatole. He also holds the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he studied with Dr. Jamie L. Nix and assisted with all aspects of the wind program.
Before his graduate studies, Holoweiko taught in the Florida public schools as the Director of Bands at Martin County High School (Stuart). At Martin County, he coordinated all aspects of the band program including instruction of the marching band, two concert ensembles, and also founded a curricular jazz band and AP music theory course. He is also the conductor and a co-founder of the Treasure Coast Summer Band Camp in Jensen Beach, FL and is an active marching band and concert band clinician. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Michigan State University.
Holoweiko is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Sigma Alpha Iota, and holds professional membership in the College Band Directors National Association and the National Association for Music Education.
Program
- Zhou Tian - Petals of Fire
- Viet Cuong - Autumn Triptych
- Marie Douglas - Soul Suites
- James Stephenson - Symphony No. 2 Voices
The University of Memphis Wind Ensemble comprises the most exceptional graduate and undergraduate instrumentalists attending the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.
The mission of the Wind Ensemble is to achieve the highest degree of professionalism while performing artistic and diverse repertoire for its audiences. To model modern-day professional experiences, the ensemble often collaborates with other areas of the School of Music, such as opera, jazz and commercial music.
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Meet the Directors
Albert Nguyen
Albert Nguyen is the Director of Bands and Head of the Conducting Area at the University of Memphis. He currently holds the Pearl Wales Professorship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the University of Memphis in the areas of teaching, creative activity, and service. Dr. Nguyen’s responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the University Bands program, conducting the Wind Ensemble, leading the graduate wind conducting program, and serving as the Executive Director of the University of Memphis Summer at the Scheidt Program. Ensembles under Dr. Nguyen’s direction have performed at the CBDNA Southern Regional Conference, the TNMEA All-State Conference, and Internationally in Austria and Italy. As a conductor and clinician, he has worked with ensembles and students throughout the United States, including the Mid-South as well as California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Texas. For his contribution to the University of Memphis’s educational, research, outreach, and service missions, Dr. Nguyen was a recipient of the First Tennessee Professorship.
Dr. Nguyen began his professional teaching career as the Director of Bands at Morrilton High School in Morrilton, AR. He holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in wind conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of Kappa Kappa, Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Beta Mu, and serves the College Band Directors National Association as a member of the Diversity Committee.
William Plenk
Dr. William Plenk is Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands for the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis. In this role, he oversees the UofM Marching Band and Pep Band, conducts the Symphonic Band, and teaches music education courses. Dr. Plenk also serves as Associate Director for Academic Programs, administering undergraduate curriculum and advising for the School of Music.
Outside of the University, Dr. Plenk is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He has worked with concert bands, marching bands, and drum corps from across the United States, Singapore, and Japan, including a three-season tenure with the Tenrikyo Aimachi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan. Dr. Plenk has presented or conducted at the CBDNA Western/Northwestern and Southern Division Conferences, as well as the CBDNA National Athletic Band Symposium.
Before arriving in Memphis, Dr. Plenk served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nevada, Reno, developing the athletic band program into one of the most respected in the region. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was Conductor of the UCLA Symphonic Band, Associate Conductor of the UCLA Wind Ensemble, and Associate Conductor of the UCLA Brass Ensemble. He also received a Master of Music degree in tuba performance from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Music degree in tuba performance from Ithaca College.
Program
- Andrew David Perkins - Clutch
- Theresa Martin - City of Ambition
- Wayne OQuin - Affirmation
- Viet Cuong - Deciduous
- Michael Markowski - As Midnight on a Moonless Night
The USC Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Jay Jacobs, performs music that represents a broad continuum of periods and styles, from the core of the classic band repertoire to new and experimental works for winds and percussion. Committed to a rotational seating system and variable instrumentation, the Symphonic Winds creates a deeply meaningful musical environment with highly individualized attention for its student members.
The ensemble is comprised of students with diverse experiences from a variety of degree programs. Musicians are placed into the ensemble through a blind audition process each semester. Like all bands at USC, membership in the ensemble is open to any USC student regardless of major or classification.
The USC Symphonic Winds has been featured at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conferences in 2018 and 2012, the 2019 South Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, the 2010 Society of Composers, Inc. International Conference, the 2009 Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma Southeast District Convention, and the 2008 North American Saxophone Alliance International Convention.
Meet the Directors
Jay Jacobs
Jay Jacobsis Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina, where he is the director of The Carolina Band, conducts the Symphonic Winds and teaches courses within the School of Music. He holds the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from West Virginia University, where he studied trumpet with John Winkler and conducting with Don Wilcox. Dr. Jacobs earned the Master of Music in Conducting and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degrees from the University of Florida, studying in the conducting studio of David Waybright.
Dr. Jacobs’ career in public education included teaching as a middle school and high school band director in Kirkland, Illinois, and prior to his appointment at USC, he served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Under his direction, the ensembles gained recognition on the state, national and international level.
Dr. Jacobs has served as a presenter, clinician and adjudicator internationally and across the United States. Dr. Jacobs is an honorary member the Alpha Eta. Iota Upsilon and Zeta Chi chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Beta Xi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band service fraternity and sorority. He is an honorary member of the Rho Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha, as well as a member of CBDNA, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, and the national bandmasters fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. He has also served as the Louisiana State Chair for CBDNA and the University/Research Division Chair for the Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr.
Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr.is the Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. In addition to conducting the University Bands, he teaches courses in conducting and band methods, supervises student teachers, co-directs the basketball bands, and coordinates the volleyball band. While completing doctoral study, he served as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Memphis, where he directed the marching band, conducted the Symphonic Band, and taught courses in undergraduate conducting and instrumental materials and methods. His appointment at the University of South Carolina follows public school teaching experience that spans thirteen years in middle and high schools of South Carolina, with his ensembles being recognized on state, regional, and national levels for consistent performance excellence.
Wrighten earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, where he studied conducting with Kraig Alan Williams, Albert T. Nguyen, and Nicholas V. Holland, III. He earned a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with Thomas V. Fraschillo, Gary W. Adam, and Steven R. Moser. He earned the Bachelor of Music from the University of South Carolina.
Wrighten remains active across the Southeast, Southwest, and Northeast as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. He serves the Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu as the President and actively serves as a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. He holds additional professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, American School Band Directors Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, the National Association for Music Education, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association. Wrighten also holds honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Program
- Gala Flagello - Bravado
- Gustav Holst – Hammersmith
- Brian Balmages - Hopscotch, for Tuba and Wind Ensemble
- Paul Dooley - Lovestruck
The UT Wind Ensemble is the premier wind band of the University of Tennessee College of Music, composed of the finest wind, brass, and percussion music majors, as well as outstanding non-music majors. The UT Wind Ensemble is guided by a philosophy seeking to expose its students and audiences to the highest quality repertoire written or transcribed for wind and percussion instruments while supporting music education and adding value to our community. The UT Wind Ensemble has appeared at College Band Directors National Association Conferences, American Bandmasters Association Conventions and numerous Tennessee Music Educators Association Conferences. The Wind Ensemble is also very active in commissioning new music and promoting the growth of the wind band repertoire. Graduates from the Wind Ensemble hold distinguished teaching positions at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels, as well as holding positions in leading orchestras and military bands around the world.
Meet the Director
John Zastoupil
Dr. Zastoupil is the Director of Bands and tenured associate professor of music at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. His responsibilities at UT include conducting the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, teaching graduate courses in wind studies, guiding the graduate wind conducting program, and providing the administrative leadership for all aspects of the University of Tennessee’s diverse and historic band program. Since arriving at UT, Zastoupil founded the UT Conducting Workshop and the Volunteer Concert Clinic Festival for concert bands. The UT Wind Ensemble has regained national recognition being accepted to perform at the 2024 CBDNA Southern Division Convention, TMEA Conference, and collaborating with world renowned composers on the commissioning and premieres of multiple works for band. Within the newly formed College of Music, Dr. Zastoupil serves as the Ensembles and Performance Division Head. Zastoupil regularly guest conducts professional and student honor ensembles throughout the United States and has conducted abroad in Europe and Asia. Zastoupil’s previous positions include Missouri State University (Director of Concert Bands), University of Texas-Arlington and Eastern Michigan University (Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands). His pedigree includes Northwestern University (D.M.A.); University of Michigan (M.M.); Baylor University (B.M.E.); and is a former student of the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Program
- Kevin Poelking - Fanfare for a New Day
- Nancy Galbraith - Febris Ver
- Percy Grainger - Children’s March
- Masanori Taruya - The Archangel Raphael Leaves a House of Tobias
- Ottorino Respighi /Guy Duker & Yoshihiro Kimura - The Pines of Rome
The WVU Wind Symphony is comprised of approximately 50 of the finest wind and percussion students attending West Virginia University. Performing a wide variety of both traditional and contemporary literature for wind band, the Wind Symphony presents six concerts annually including performances at local, regional, and national venues. These performances often feature nationally known guest artists including soloists, conductors, and composers.
The WVU Bands program consists of six ensembles currently serving nearly 500 students. Components of the program include the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band, two Concert Bands, the Basketball Pep Band, and “The Pride of West Virginia” Mountaineer Marching Band. The program is designed to provide a musical outlet for wind and percussion players throughout the university community regardless of major, as well as professional training for music majors pursuing future careers in education, performance, composition, and music therapy.
Meet the Directors
Dr. Scott C. Tobias
Dr. Scott C. Tobias currently holds the position of Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at West Virginia University where his responsibilities include conducting the WVU Wind Symphony, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, and providing administrative leadership for the WVU Bands program. Prior to his appointment at West Virginia University, Dr. Tobias served as Director of Bands at the University of Central Florida and as Associate Director of Bands at Appalachian State University. He also previously served as a high school band director in the public schools of Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Tobias has served as director of several community music organizations including the Youth Band of Orlando, the Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Appalachian Youth Wind Ensemble.
Bands under Dr. Tobias’ direction have performed nationally and internationally at events such as the New York Wind Band Festival in Carnegie Hall, the Western International Band Clinic, the Cabalgata de Reyes (Madrid, Spain), the London New Year’s Day Parade, and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival. Dr. Tobias remains active as a guest conductor and clinician working with collegiate honor bands, all-state bands, and district honor bands throughout the United States. Additionally, he has presented sessions at numerous state music educator conferences as well as the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Dr. Tobias is a recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the Hayes School of Music Outstanding Teacher Award. He has also been recognized with election to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
Dr. Tobias presently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Big 12 Band Directors Association and is a Past President of the National Band Association. He currently serves as Executive Secretary of the National Band Association. Additional professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, West Virginia Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
A native of South Carolina, Dr. Tobias earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Furman University, the Master of Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Georgia.
Dr. John R. Locke
Dr. John R. Locke served on the UNCG School of Music Faculty as Director of Bands, Director of Summer Music Camps, conductor of the Wind Ensemble, and conducting teacher from 1982 until his retirement in December 2018. He holds the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from West Virginia University and the Doctor of Education degree from the University of Illinois. Previously, Dr. Locke held teaching positions in music at West Virginia University, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Illinois. He has conducted band performances throughout the world including National Conventions of the MENC, CBDNA, ABA, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Strathmore Center in Washington, DC, Lincoln Center in New York City, Dvorak Hall in Prague, Czech Republic, Innsbruck, Austria, Bologna and Rome, Italy. Twice, the UNCG Wind Ensemble earned critical acclaim from The Washington Post newspaper following concert performances in the nation's capital. Locke has conducted numerous "Tribute to John Philip Sousa" concerts at UNCG, as well as across the country. Under Locke's leadership, the UNCG Wind Ensemble has released 21 commercially available compact discs including fireworks! which was a Grammy Entry List 2011 CD in two categories, "Classical Album of the Year" and "Best Orchestral Performance." In addition, he has guest conducted the U.S. Air Force Band, U.S. Army Field Band, U.S. Navy Band, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the Dallas Wind Symphony, as well as numerous university bands including University of Illinois, Iowa, LSU, Alabama, Florida, West Virginia, Idaho, Georgia, Nebraska – Omaha, Long Beach State, Troy, Bowling Green, South Florida, Furman, Youngstown State, Boise State, Morehead State, Eastern New Mexico, Washburn, Kennesaw State and numerous all-state honor bands and intercollegiate bands including the CBDNA National Intercollegiate Band in 2023.
Dr. Locke has served as Editor of The North Carolina Music Educator and has published articles on band and wind ensemble literature in the Journal of Band Research and in Winds Quarterly. He is Past-President of the North Carolina Music Educators Association representing 2,200 members. Dr. Locke is a recipient of Phi Mu Alpha's Orpheus Award and has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence on three occasions. He is a National Arts Associate of Sigma Alpha Iota. In 1989, Dr. Locke was among the youngest conductors ever to be elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 1994, he received the Phi Beta Mu International Fraternity Outstanding Bandmaster of the Year Award, presented at the Mid-West International Band Clinic in Chicago. Dr. Locke is Past-President of the Southern Division of College Band Directors National Association and hosted the Southern Division Convention at UNCG in February 2000. In 2002, Dr. Locke was nominated for the O. Max Gardner Award, the highest award in the 16-campus UNC System. He also received the "Outstanding Music Teacher Award" in the UNCG School of Music in 2003. In 2005, Dr. Locke was elected President of the American Bandmasters Association and received the Albert Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association. In 2007, he received The Old North State Award from NC Governor Mike Easley "for dedication and service beyond excellence to the state of North Carolina." In 2009, Locke became Editor of the Journal of Band Research, the premiere scholarly band publication in the world, begun in 1964. In July 2012, Locke was honored by NC Governor Beverly Perdue with The Order of the Longleaf Pine Award, the highest civilian honor in North Carolina. In 2014, Locke was named the Marion Stedman Covington Stedman Distinguished Professor of Music at UNCG. In 2018, Locke became just the seventh person inducted into the NCMEA Hall of Fame.
At UNCG, Dr. Locke is the founder of the Summer Music Camp program, now the largest university music camp in America, enrolling over 2,000 students annually and served by a staff of 170 professionals. He is also the founder of the Carolina Band Festival and Conductors Conference. Since 1977, he administered summer music camps for over 67,000 students. He is in constant demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for band festivals throughout the world.
Program
- Kevin Day - Dancing with Fire
- Adam Schoenberg – Finding Rothko
- Jennifer Higdon – Blue Cathedral
- Alfred Reed – Ode for Trumpet
- Michael Olson - Indigo
The Troy University Symphony Band, conducted by Dr. Mark J. Walker, is comprised of the top wind and percussion students in the John M. Long School of Music. The ensemble has an active commissioning schedule and regularly participates in commissioning consortia. In 2011, this premiere group completed its first international tour, performing for enthusiastic audiences in Vancouver and at the Whistler Music Festival in Whistler, Canada. In March 2014, the Symphony Band received the honor to perform the opening concert at the 80th Annual Convention of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Recent invited performances include the Alabama All State Band Convention in 2017 and the Southern Division Conference of CBDNA in Tampa, Florida in 2018 and the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference in January 2020. The Troy University Symphony Band is open to all university students by audition each semester.
Meet the Directors
Dr. Mark J. Walker
Dr. Mark J. Walker serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Troy University where he conducts the Troy University Symphony Band, the nationally renowned “Sound of the South” Marching Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, marching band techniques, measurement and evaluation, and wind literature.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Walker serves as Chairman of the Southeastern United States Clinic and Honor Bands, Executive Director of the Middle School Southeastern United States Band Clinic and Honor Bands and is the Director of the “Sound of the South” Summer Music Camp and Director’s Clinic. He also serves as Co-Chair of the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Directors. Dr. Walker is a published author, whose articles appears various music education publications and is the editor of the book The Art of Interpretation of Band Music published by GIA. He is a contributor to The Euphonium Source Book, published by Indiana University Press. Additionally, Dr. Walker is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Band Research.
Bands and students under Dr. Walker’s direction have received many honors at the regional and state level in Texas, where he taught middle school and high school band. In addition, Dr. Walker keeps an active guest conducting and clinic schedule, and has appeared as conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in Canada and throughout the United States. Recently, Dr. Walker was a guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band and the United States Navy Band. He conducted the Troy University Symphony Band in the opening concert of the 80th Annual Convention of the American Bandmasters Association. Dr. Walker received the honor of conducting both the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Marine Forces Pacific Band, located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Walker conducted the Desert Winds at the 2016 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference. In addition to these guest appearances, Dr. Walker has conducted the Troy University Symphony at the 2011 and 2020 AMEA Conference, the 2017 Alabama Bandmasters Association Conference, and the 2018 CBDNA Southern Division Conference in Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Walker is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. His past and present professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, CBDNA, National Band Association, NAfME, Alabama Music Education Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota, Texas Bandmasters Association, and World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.
Dr. Walker is married to Jessica Walker, who teaches sixth grade at Goshen Elementary, and resides in Troy with their daughter, Emily.
NBA Bands - High School
Program
- Alfred Reed - Armenian Dance, Part 1
- James Barnes Chance - Elegy
- Arturo Marquez/Nickel - Danzon No. 2
- Gabriel Fauré/Antmann - Pavane, Op. 50
- John Philip Sousa - The Fairest of the Fair
- David Gillingham - With Heart and Voice
The Freedom High School Band is a comprehensive music program which includes 265 students in grades 9 through 12. Course offerings include four concert bands, three jazz bands, percussion, flute choir, and eurhythmics (Color Guard). During the fall, all students are a part of the marching band, the Pride of the Patriots.
The bands at Freedom consistently earn “Superior” ratings at all music performances assessments (MPA) and has a high level of participation in Solo and Ensemble events as well as representation in all-county, all-state, and other honor bands. Freedom bands perform actively throughout the community and have earned performance invitations including:
- Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
- National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, D.C.
- UCF All-Southeastern Concert Band Festival
- Music for All National Concert Band Festival
- Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- 2022 Florida Music Education Association President’s Concert
- 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference
The band program benefits from outstanding parent and administrative support. Emphasis is placed on the individual student musician, with the understanding that every student is important.
Meet the Directors
Michael Antmann
Michael Antmann is in his 23rd year as a music educator, and his eighth as band director at Freedom High School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Florida State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his current position, he served as the Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools, and as band director at Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida, and Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.
Bands under Dr. Antmann’s direction have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performances Assessments (MPA) and earned performance invitations including the 2004 University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, the 2006 and 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conferences and the 2011, 2014, and 2022 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) conferences. He has been awarded two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, the FBA Tom Bishop Award and Oliver Hobbs Award, Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 and 2018 OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Awards. He was also a national semi-finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Grammy Music Educator Awards.
Dr. Antmann is an active member of both FMEA and the Florida Bandmasters Association, serving in multiple leadership roles. He is an instructor at and co-founder of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville, which is an intensive and interactive workshop focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He is active as a guest conductor and clinician throughout Florida, and has presented sessions at state and national conferences.
Abigail Mistretta
Abigail Mistretta is originally from the Florida Panhandle, and grew up under the direction of Mr. Eddie Steadman, Mr. Dan Wooten, and Mr. Jeff Adams. A graduate of the University of Florida, she received her Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting with a concentration in Clarinet Performance in the spring of 2022. While completing her graduate degree she served as a teaching assistant with the UF Clarinet Ensemble, UF Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Bands, and Gator Marching Band.
Ms. Mistretta also received her undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education in May of 2020 from the University of Florida. During her time there she performed as a clarinetist in both the UF Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, University Symphony Orchestra on both Bb and bass clarinet, and in the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble. In the summer of 2019, she had the opportunity to travel to France with the UF Wind Symphony as the bass clarinetist where the group performed in the Festival des Anches d’Azur in La Croix-Valmer. She also served on the Gator Band leadership team as a section leader for one year and Drum Major for two. She completed her student teaching in both Alachua and Bradford county while working primarily with middle and high school students.
Program
- Andrew Blair - anti-Fanfare
- Thomas Doss - Majestic Waters
- Benjamin Horne - Deep River
- David Holsinger - Abram's Pursuit
- Gustav Mahler/Reynolds - Symphony No. 3 Finale (excerpts)
- Kevin Day - Havana
Located in North Alabama, the Huntsville High School Wind Ensemble is the most advanced ensemble at Huntsville High School made up of students in grades nine through twelve through audition. The Wind Ensemble has performed at Southern Division MENC (1987, 2007), the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University (1999, 2005, 2011), The University of Southern Mississippi Conductors Clinic (2005), and the Alabama Music Educators Conference (1987, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2023). The Wind Ensemble consistently performs grade 5 and 6 literature. Since 1974, the band has performed in Mexico, Canada, Austria, Bahamas, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. The Huntsville High School marching band program is performing at the London New Years Day Parade on January 1, 2024.
Meet the Director
Stuart Tankesley
Stuart Tankesley has been Director of Bands at Huntsville High School since 2017. He is the ninth band director at Huntsville High School since the program started in 1929. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2006 and a Master of Arts degree in 2008 both from The University of Alabama. He has studied with Dr. Ken Ozzello, Dr. Gerald Welker, and Mr. Randall Coleman.
Prior to being appointed the Director of Bands at Huntsville High School, he was the Assistant Band Director and Choir Director at Discovery Middle School and the Assistant Band Director and Choir Director at James Clemens High School. He is the founder of Madison Music Camp, a middle school camp which over 200 middle school students in the Huntsville area enjoy every summer. He has previously served as adjunct faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is an alumnus of Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He has taken students to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade, and as an instructor on a month-long performing tour of China with Madison Jazz. Stuart has served as the Alabama Bandmaster’s Association District Chairman for District One and currently serves as the Alabama Orchestra Association North District Chair.
Program
- Percy Grainger/Daehn - Themes from “Green Bushes”
- Alexander Scriabin/Reed - Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2
- Julie Giroux - La Mezquita de Córdoba
- Marc Mellits - Gravity
- Edwin Franko Goldman - On the Mall
- David Maslanka - Give Us This Day
The Viera High School Wind Ensemble is the school’s premier performing ensemble, with membership determined by audition. They have earned superior ratings at both district and state MPA, earning the Otto J. Kraushaar Award numerous times. Viera students are consistently selected to the Florida All-State, Brevard All-County, and National (NAfME) honors ensembles.
In 2023, the Viera Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at 2024 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference. Viera High School instrumental ensembles have also performed at the 2012 FMEA Conference, 2014 FMEA President’s Concert, the 2017 Sugar Bowl Parade, the 2019 Lassiter Percussion Symposium, the McCormick Marimba Festival, the UCF Percussion Festival, the 2020 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, both the 2022 & 2023 Music For All UCF-Orlando Concert Band Invitational, and the 2024 FMEA Professional Development Conference Concert Hour.
Meet the Directors
Nick Eggen
Nick Eggen has been a Director of Instrumental Music at Viera High School in Brevard County, Florida since 2008, teaching ensemble courses for Band, Jazz, and Orchestra. He earned the BME & MME from the Florida State University and previously taught at middle and high schools in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.
Mr. Eggen currently serves as chairman of the Florida Bandmasters Association’s Sightreading Committee and has previously served on the Florida Music Education Association Executive Board as the technology chairman and member at-large. He regularly works with the FMEA Conference Planning Committee to coordinate the annual Professional Development Conference in Tampa each January. Mr. Eggen serves on the Brevard Public Schools Music Leadership Team and served as the All-County Band Coordinator for 10 years. He is a conductor of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, having worked with the organization since 2018.
Mr. Eggen's professional affiliations include the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Orchestra Association, Florida Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He was elected to the Omega Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an International Bandmasters Fraternity, in 2017. Mr. Eggen resides in Melbourne with his wife Michelle, the Orchestra Director at Melbourne High School; his daughters Mary & Helen and sons Benjamin & William.
Maria Dix
Enjoying her 32nd year of teaching, Maria Dix holds a Bachelors of Music from the
University of South Carolina and a Masters of Music Education from the University
of Miami. Ms. Dix is currently Associate Director of Instrumental Music at Viera High
School in Brevard County, Florida. She currently serves as co-chair of the Brevard
All-County Jazz Band Festival and is a member of the Brevard Music Leadership Team.
Prior to her tenure at Viera High School, Ms. Dix taught in Broward County Florida,
Tennessee and Northern Virginia. Under her direction, her ensembles have consistently
earned Superior Ratings at both District and State level assessments. Ms. Dix is
a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Orchestra Association,
the Florida Music Educators Association, and NAfME. She is an active adjudicator and
has served as an honor band clinician throughout Florida. She lives In Melbourne with
her love, Dave Lawver and a house full of happy fur babies.
NBA Bands - Middle/ Junior High School
Program
- Pinkzebra - Celebration Fanfare
- Tyler S. Grant - Sweet Dreams
- Charles Carter - Symphonic Overture
- James Reese Europe - Castles in Europe
- Kevin Day - Rocketship!
The Auburn Junior High School Band Program serves approximately 230 students in eighth and ninth grade in the community of Auburn, Alabama - home of Auburn University. After outstanding seventh grade beginner instruction at the East Samford School under the direction of Mrs. Kim Chenier, students at Auburn Junior High School are placed into one of three ability-based concert bands and offered supplemental jazz band during their second and third year of instruction at AJHS, all under the direction of Mr. Joshua Wine for the last eleven years. The Wind Symphony is made up of the top eighty instrumentalists at Auburn Junior High School, who strive to push the boundaries of what middle-level musicians can accomplish. In addition, many of the ninth graders at AJHS also participate in the award-winning Auburn High School Marching Band. The band students at AJHS are frequent participants in the various All-State Bands and Honor Ensembles throughout our state and region, frequently producing the most students from any one middle or junior high school in the Alabama All-State Middle School Bands. Most recently, the AJHS Wind Symphony was honored to be selected as a featured performer at the 2023 Alabama Music Educators Association conference in Birmingham.
Meet the Director
Joshua Wine
Joshua Wine is currently the Director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Auburn Junior High School in Auburn, Alabama, where he conducts and oversees three concert bands, percussion methods class, jazz band, musicology club, and teaches music appreciation. Furthermore, he assists with the instruction of the award-winning Auburn High School Marching Band as an Assistant Director. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Wine serves as Assistant Minister of Music/Orchestra Director at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, and Conductor & Music Director for the East Alabama Community Band, an all-adult band serving the Auburn-Opelika area. Mr. Wine also serves as the South-Central District Co-Chair for the Alabama Orchestra Association.
A native of Wetumpka, Alabama, Mr. Wine earned his degrees in Music Education from Troy University and Auburn University respectfully where his teachers included Mr. Ralph Ford, Dr. Diane Orlofsky, Dr. Mark Walker, Dr. Larry Blocher, and Dr. Corey Spurlin. His past and present professional affiliations include NAfME, NBA, AMEA, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Wine is a regular presenter at the Alabama Music Educators Association State In-Service Conference and he has served as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Southeast. He lives in Auburn with his wife Haley, twin sons: Anderson (Andy) and Lincoln, and daughters Emerson (Emmy) and Lottie.
Program
- Chris Ozley - Beyond the Ridge
- Percy Grainger/Sheldon - Spoon River
- Tyler S. Grant - Resplendent Light
- Jennifer Rose - Imminent Danger
- Yo Goto - Smiley Rag
The Cass Middle School Bands consist of approximately 280 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Sixth grade students take band every day and are split into homogeneous instrument groups. Seventh and eighth grade students take band each day and are split by ability level to better serve each student. The Cass Middle School Honor Band is made up of 7th and 8th grade students and meets once a week after school.
Members of the Cass Middle School band can elect to be in Concert Band, Pep Band, Drumline, Percussion ensemble, solo and ensemble, and the Cass Middle School Honor Band. In recent years the Cass Middle School Band program has had consistent representation at District 7 Honor Band, solo and ensemble and the GMEA All State Band. Both the Cass Middle School Honor Band and Concert Band have received consecutive superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation.
In 2021 the Cass Middle School Honor Band performed as the guest performing ensemble for the first time in school history at the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic and the University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band festival. The Cass Middle School Band also received the highest score for middle school band at the Southern Star Music festival in Atlanta when they performed last May and won the Grand Champions Sweep stakes award. The Cass Middle School Band received the Exemplary Performance Award for their performances in the 2021-2022 School year. In December 2022 they were one of the invited guest performing ensemble at The University of Georgia's middle school honor band. This year they have been invited to perform at the CBDNA/NBA conference in February 2024, and the Music for All Symposium at Georgia State in March 2024.
Meet the Directors
David Gregory
David Gregory, Founder and Conductor Emeritus of the Georgia Wind Symphony, is former Director of Bands/Coordinator of Music Education at Reinhardt University (Ret.) and Conductor Emeritus of Tara Winds Community Band. He has conducted elementary, junior high, high school, community college, university, and professional bands during his career. A former director of bands at Hardaway High School in Columbus (GA), Forest Park High School in Forest Park (GA), the University of Florida in Gainesville (FL), and former Clayton County (GA) Coordinator of Instrumental Music, Dr. Gregory served as Assistant to the Superintendent in that school system for twelve years until his retirement from public school work. He is a Past President of the National Band Association and served six years as Advisor to the Executive Committee of that organization. At Reinhardt University Dr. Gregory taught undergraduate music education classes, music technology, conducting, and orchestration and arranging courses; conducted the Wind Ensemble (as well as the University Orchestra for four years); supervised student teacher interns; and was coordinator of the Music Education program. Additionally, he taught graduate classes in conducting, scoring and arranging, literature, and directed international studies. He was the Georgia NAfME Collegiate advisor and coordinator of all state NAfME Collegiate activities for GMEA from 2007 until his retirement in 2014.
His past and present professional affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu, the National Band Association, Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Georgia Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, Phi Delta Kappa, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and served as a member of the Board of Directors for that organization. In February of 2020, Gregory was inducted into the National Band Association’s “Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors” and was named as a "Midwest Legend" for 2021.
Abigail Russom
Abigail Russom has been the Director of Bands at Cass Middle School in Cartersville, Georgia for seven years. Ms. Russom attended Reinhardt University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a bachelor’s degree in Clarinet performance under Jeanne Heinz.
Ms. Russom is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, The National Association for Music Education, and The National Band Director Association. She is currently serving as the secretary for GMEA district 7. She has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator around Georgia. Ms. Russom is a multiple recipient of the Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association. Ms. Russom is currently the conductor of the middle school division of West Georgia Winds, a community ensemble serving middle school students around West Georgia.
Bands under her direction have received consistent superior ratings at LGPE. Her students represent Cass Middle School at District Honor Band, All-State Band, and Solo and Ensemble evaluations each year. Under the direction of Ms. Russom the CMS Honor Band has performed at the Reinhardt University Honor Band Clinic, the University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival, and most recently the University of Georgia Middle School Honor Band Clinic in December 2022. The Cass Middle School Band received the GMEA exemplary performance award for the 2021-2022 school year. The Cass Middle School Honor Band won Grand Champions at Southern Star in April 2023.
Sheila Smith
Ms. Smith is a retired music educator having taught band for 32 years at South Central Middle School in Emerson, Georgia. In 1987 Sheila received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama, and in 2000 she received her Master of Music Education degree from Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.
Ms. Smith was voted South Central Middle School's Teacher of the Year in 1989-1990, 2000-2001, and again in 2009-2010. She was selected as “STAR” teacher in 2009 and 2019. She has served as guest clinician/conductor throughout the Southeast. She is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, The National Association for Music Education, Georgia Association of Educators, The National Band Director Association and The American School Band Directors Association. She has served her state music organization as an officer and has been the host for district events. Ms. Smith is a multiple recipient of the Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association and she served on the Board of Directors for the NBA from 2017-2019.
Groups under her direction have performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Carnegie Hall in New York, The Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference multiple times, The University of Georgia Middle School Honor Band Festival, The University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival, the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Festival, and the Southeastern United States Middle School Honor Clinic. In 2017 the South Central Middle School Band performed at the 75th commemorative anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
Since retiring, Ms. Smith has served as an adjunct faculty member at Berry College and last year she was employed as one of the band directors at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia. She has played principal flute with the Rome Symphony Orchestra, Gadsden Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the Tara Winds Community Band.