Looking forward with 2020 vision

I am eagerly looking forward to the months ahead with observing a great group of student teachers, teaching in the graduate program at Messiah, honor bands, clinics, concerts at Messiah College and taking time to connect with friends and colleagues in music education. The days are packed and long, but the years are flying by!

I am delighted to be involved with the 10th Anniversary of the York County High School Honor Band in February. I was humbled to be asked to compose a work to celebrate the anniversary of the festival. A Festival Celebration will open the concert, and I am pleased to share it will be available from Wingert-Jones music this summer.

I am so proud of former student Kyle Grabigel and his work far at Brookville High School. Kyle has invited me to guest conduct the PMEA District 3 Band Festival in February. The program will include Illumination (Maslanka), Hymn to the Dawn (Archer), Danza con Gioia (Colonna), Pageant (Pershichetti), Noble Men (Fillmore) and Chasing Mercury (Weller).

In addition to concerts at Messiah College in February and April with the Messiah College Symphonic Winds, it is a joy to assist Jim Colonna with the second annual “Band-O-Rama” in March. It is a great musical and leadership experience for bands of all sizes. In addition to a 30 minute conducting clinic with Jim, students enjoy an adjudicated performance in Parmer Hall, and a 30 minute leadership session with yours truly.

April is shaping up to be a busy month indeed. In addition to the aforementioned concert, I will be collaborating with Steve Barton and the University of Richmond Wind Ensemble to debut Canticles of Hyperion. The piece breaks some new ground for me personally, and I am grateful to Steve for asking me to write for his group.

I really enjoy PMEA MPA events. It is exciting to see a whole ensemble prepare repertoire at a high level. Thank you Tim Daniels for the opportunity to evaluate this year! April closes with the PMEA State Conference in the Poconos. A busy few days including leading some round-table discussions with members of Phi Beta Mu Nu Chapter with young music educators, the debut of Lonely Travelers (coming this summer from Carl Fischer) with Dennis Emert’s elementary band from Fox Chapel, and a joint presentation on middle school band pedagogy, techniques and repertoire with Jenny Neff.

Moving beyond April, Resilience will be brought to life by Michael Summers and the Liberty High School Concert Band. In addition to the above mentioned works coming this summer, As Hope Ignites (Wingert-Jones), an exciting overture for JH/MS Band will also be available.

Beyond that, visits to local schools to observe student teachers and clinics with high schools across the Keystone state and beyond are popping up on my calendar. To friends and colleagues in instrumental music education, I wish you well as the second half of the year begins. I encourage you all to remember how important you are in the life of each student that enters your room. The group might not be playing exactly how you want them after a week back of teaching in January. Consider that the group might not be playing at all without you. Every note put in its place is a reminder to students that they have a place in your room where they are valued and their contributions are appreciated. My best to all of you in 2020!