Wind Band Composer Snapshot: Dr. Dana Wilson

Dr. Dana Wilson (1946-Present) American Composer/Pianist/Teacher

Dana Wilson, Composer

- Interested early on(HS) in improvisation and played guitar and piano.

- Holds degrees from Bowdoin College(BA Psychology, Music minor- 1968), UCONN(MA- Music Theory- 1975), and Eastman(Ph.D- Theory 1982)

- Was drafted for the Vietnam war and played piano in Germany during his tour.

- Has written music for ensembles such as the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.

- Received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, New York State Council for the Arts, and Art Midwest.

- His compositions have won many awards, including the International Trumpet Guild First Prize, the Sudler International Composition Prize, and the Ostwald Award.

- Serves of the faculty teaching composition at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.

- co-authored “Contemporary Choral Arranging”, and has written for the “Composer's Insight” series(Vol. 4) and "Composers on Composing for Band, Vol. 2."

- It is said that he conceptualizes the wind band as a sort of large jazz band.

Major works for Wind Ensemble:

Piece of Mind(1987) 20min Gr V

- Premiered in New York City with the Ithaca College Band. Rodney Winther, Conductor

- Won both the Sudler Award(1987) and the Ostwald(1988)

- In 4 movements: I. Thinking, II. Remembering, III. Feeling, and IV. Being

- It’s a pun(peace of mind) and represents Wilson’s musical reflections on the inner workings of the human mind.

Time Cries, Hoping Otherwise- Concerto for Alto sax and Wind Ensemble(1990) Gr. V

- Commissioned by the University of Northern Arizona.

- Premiered by Laura Hunter and the Northern Arizona Wind Symphony at the western conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance in 1991.

- Also available for alto saxophone and piano.

Calling, Ever Calling – Concerto for Oboe and Wind Ensemble(1991) Gr. V

- Commissioned by the Mid-American Band Directors Association,

- Premiered in 1991 at the 50th anniversary convention of the CBDNA in Kansas City, with Michael Henoch, oboist with the Chicago Symphony, performing.

- This work is “to awaken the spirits, to one’s love, to dance so that we may forget...”

- At various times, the soloist calls to the audience or different members of the ensemble, and ensemble members call to each other

Dance of the New World(1992) 8 min Gr. IV

- commissioned by Belmont High School, Belmont, MA with funding from the Mass. Foundation for the Arts.

- completed 500 years, to the month that Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World.

- The piece is considered a tribute to the blending of styles and attitudes that has taken place in the “Latin” American region of this hemisphere where Columbus first landed.

- It is also intended to suggest the hopeful awakening of the Renaissance that his voyage symbolized.

The Shifting Bands of Time(1997) 12min Grade III

- Commissioned by Ohio University.

- Metric shifting challenges younger groups.

Shortcut Home(comp 1998, pub 2003) 3min Gr IV

- Premiered by the Hillsborough High School Band(NJ) with composer conducting in 1998.

- Written as an extended fanfare with jazz influences

- Home is C Major, which we arrive on with the final chord

Other works for Winds:

Avatar- Concerto for Bassoon and Chamber Winds(2006), Black Nightshade for four perc and wind symphony(2004), Clarion Call for brass and perc(1988), Colorado Peaks(2005), Concerto for Horn and Wind Ensemble(1997), Leader Lieder for trumpet and wind ensemble(2002), Day Dreams(2006), Evolution(1999), Footsteps(2010) harder they fall for Narrator and Wind Symphony(2004), Io Rising for brass quintet and wind ensemble(1993), Kah! Out of Darkness(1999), Liquid Ebony for clarinet and wind ensemble(2005), Liquid Gold for soprano sax and wind ensemble, trans. of Liquid Ebony(2005), Odysseus and the Sirens(2008), Remembrance(2005), Sang!(1994), Shakata: Singing the World into Existence(1989), To Set the Darkness Echoing...(2005), Uprising(1995), Vortex band, percussion, and piano(1999), When I Am Gone Away(2006), and Winds on the Steppes for 16 winds, piano, and perc.(1991)  

Dana Wilson is an incredibly prolific composer for our medium. You can listen to clips and find out more about him and his music on his website, http://www.danawilson.org/

In other news, I'm done with my first year of Graduate School in about a week and a half! I can't believe how fast it's gone and how much I've learned. 

Wind Band Composer Snapshot: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Ralph Vaughan Willliams(1872-1958) English 20th Cty Composer/Conductor
- composed symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores.
- collected of English folk music(over 800 songs) and used them in compositions.
- attended the Royal College of Music where he met Holst in 1895
- Served in WW I as stretcher carrier, named Director of Music, First Army.
- The bulk of his major works are his 9 symphonies, yet his contribution to the wind world is important.
- He is considered, along with Holst and Jacob, to be one of the British Band Masters

The first page of the Score

Major Wind Works:
English Folk Song Suite (1923) 10:30Min Grade V
- Full military Band Instrumentation
- 3 movements: March-Seventeen Come Sunday(title song, Pretty Caroline,and Dives and Lazarus), Intermezzo-My Bonny Boy(and Greenbushes), and March- Folk Songs from Somerset(blow away the Morning Dew, High Germany, The Tree So High, and John Barleycorn)
- Gordon Jacob arranged this suite for orchestra.
- Its world premiere was given at Kneller Hall on July 4, 1923 in London.
- Made known in the US by the 1957 Fennell Eastman WE recording.
- Most of the 9 melodies appear first in solo lines making it a great piece to showcase multiple players.

Sea Songs (1923) 4 min Grade III
- Originally part of the aforementioned suite as the second movement, there is some debate on this, but I believe it to be quite plausible..
- based on folk songs Princess Royal, Admiral Benbow and Portsmouth.
- written for the band of the Royal Military School of Music

Toccata Marziale (1924) Meaning “Martial(soldierly) Toccata” 5 min VI
- Full military band instrumentation.
- broke away from the concept of the military band original repertoire being mainly a vehicle for ceremonial purposes.
- extensive use of counterpoint and dynamic ranges(like Hammersmith, maybe an influence on Holst because of their relationship?)
- 158 measures based on one motive that is developed into 5 additional themes. Great study in balance of melody/counter melody.
- Fennell has a “Basic Band Repertory” essay on it(Instrumentalist 1976)

Ralph as a Young Man

Scherzo alla Marcia(1956) for Chamber Winds 4min Grade IV(MD)

- This an extracted movement(2^nd) from Symphony #8 The first uses full orchestra, second winds, third strings, fourth all.
- Instrumentation: fl, pic, ob I/II, 2 clar, 3 bsn, 2 horns, 2 tpts, 3 tbns
 
Other Works of Significance:
- Variations for Wind Band (1957) arr. Hunsberger(1988) originally for orchestra 14Min Grade VI
- Rhosymedre (1920) Trans. Beeler(1972) 4min Grade IV

Oh, and by the way...make sure you pronounce it Rafe, not Ralph. It'll help you sound like a learned band nerd!

While it is not an in-depth scholarly article I hope it is of use. If you have suggestions for composers/conductors you'd like to see, or information you think it relevant feel free to comment or send me an email,  k.freesen@gmail.com I'm always ready to talk about the art of wind band.

Book Review: Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals

"Conducting Technique For Beginners and Professionals" 3rd Edition - By Brock McElheran, Forward by Lukas Ross. Published by Oxford University Press 2004 198 Madison Ave New York, NY 10016

The Little Green Book

 When I began graduate conducting studies I was told to buy one book, the aforementioned one. This is probably the smallest, yet most useful textbook I have ever purchased. It applies across specialities(wind, choral, and orchestral) and is a fun read. Yep, I said it a fun textbook. I also found out that, without discussing it, both the Director of Bands and the Director of Choirs at Wright State both use this book for undergraduate conducting.

Professor McElheran

McElheran(1918-2008) was the Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at the Crane School of Music, SUNY-Potsdam. He retired in 1988 and the last published version of this book was reviewed four years prior to his passing at age 90. His witty insights well live on in this text. I'm so glad Dr. Booth gave it to me.

The book is broken down into 27 short, easy to digest chapters, over the course of 129 pages. Chapter progression is designed for a quick overview of conducting technique and other problems. Each short chapter, seemingly averaging around 5 pages, ends with "assignments" for beginners and professionals. The questions are thoughtful and really should be done by everyone, whether you consider yourself a green beginner, seasoned professional, or someone in between. Everyone has something they can tweak from the book.

I grabbed my highlighter and a pencil and went to work marking things that I want to be able to find quickly. I think I will need to read other texts and explore options before I'm done with study, but I will try to hold myself to at least going through and reading my highlighted portions once a term.

The book also has great diagrammed beat patterns.  It's really a conducting survival guide that could be read in a few short sessions. If you're serious about being an effective conductor, this needs to be on your desk.

I'll leave you with a few of my highlighted passages all are the words of McElheran.
On the most important requirement of a conductor: "Make the performers want to do their best."

"Conducting technique must be studied and practised, during the entire career of the conductor."

Baton Fact: "A baton magnifies any hand quiver to a conspicuous degree."

"Beat is a moment of time, a split second infinitesimally small, like a point in geometry. It is NOT a duration."

"Remember that you must show the performers what to do before they do it."

"Every musician, instrumental of vocal, should count every rest his entire life."

"A conductor who cannot follow is almost as weak as one who cannot lead."

"Stokowski keeps a large colored pencil handy and writes warnings to himself in large letters." (Note: no one is every magically able to remember everything. Write it down, if the masters do, we all should.)

"Be sure that everything you do has a purpose, and that it has a specific effect on the music. Otherwise eliminate it. Guard against extra loops and waggles which are not called for in the music."

"The best way to become distinctive is to develop a conducting technique which is clear and totally subservient to the music. This will mark you as a rarity among conductors."

"A start must look like a start. Anything before a start must not look like a start."

"You must constantly remind yourself to listen. A well-known corporation hangs a sing saying THINK in all its offices. Our slogan must be LISTEN."

"Performances are never perfect." and followed by "Music is for enjoyment."

"I am merely the builder who follows the composer's blueprints in re-creating this masterpiece."

"It is the ability to listen, think fast, and communicate with hands, arms, and face that marks the good concert conductor, as contrasted to the good musicians who can train performers. He combines artistry, knowledge, and sensitivity with speed of thought and action to re-create the music every time he conducts."

"Two mottos should be on every conductor's mind and wall: "WORRY EARLY and ONE PERCENT OF CONDUCTING IS CONDUCTING."

Book Review: The 20th Century American Wind Band/Ensemble

The 20th Century American Wind Band/Ensemble: History, Development, and Literature - by Frank Battisti Published by Meredith Music, First Edition 1995. (Does anyone know if there's a new edition?)

About a week ago I finished a text about the History, Development, and Literature of the 20th Century American Wind Band. Dr. Booth recommended it to me as we started a "History of Wind Band and Literature" class during my first quarter of graduate studies.

Out of the books, I have started reading for coursework this has been the most interesting. I have found facts and figures, but this book really seems to explore how serious works for the wind ensemble came to be after 1900. It was published in 1994 so it doesn't deal with out current new works, but the bulk of literature I really enjoy so far comes from this period. The development of our medium is still so young when you compare us with the orchestra. I wonder where the wind ensemble is headed...

The book includes an easy to read format outlining periods in development by year. It's broken down by 1900-1959(The Early Years), 1960-1974(Changes and Growth), 1975-1989(Expansion and New Connections), 1990-1994(Two Different Worlds and Exposures), which leads up to the publication of the book. The last half of the book tackles the topics of; Commissioning, Contemporary Wind Band, Repertoire Establishment and Program Planning, School Band Repertoire, and Challenges.

The Appendices have helpful lists and information on the chronology of literature, recommended literature for HS Wind Bands, Instrumentations of ensembles 1952-1994, recommended reading(which I will be checking out), and the bibliography. There's also an index that can quickly help you find information within the book about certain pieces, composers, and compositions.

The author, Frank Battisti, has served as the Director of Wind Ensemble Activities at the New England Conservatory. He is also a past President of the College Band Directors National Association(CBDNA) and found of the National Wind Ensemble Conference, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles(WASBE), and the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble. He's active guest conductor, clinician, and contributor to professional journals and is considered one of the foremost authorities on wind literature.

Before reading this book he was just a name of another conductor and college professor that I'd seen on a program or in a book somewhere. This might make me seem naive, but aren't we all? Isn't the point of further to study to teach us what we don't know, not pat us on the back for what we do? I'm really enjoying discovering things like this through my studies.

That's probably why I'm spending so much of my break in the Dunbar Library. Here's to learning!

20 Minute Update

Grad school isn't a cakewalk, ironically neither is "Cakewalk" from Bennett's Suite of Old American Dances...

We're are halfway through the quarter(I know it's weird to not be on semester's. I think that all the time) and I'm busy, you can tell by my lack of blogging, but I love it. I'm being challenged and depending on when you ask I'm either overwhelmed by, or immersing myself in learning. I'm sure for Jes it's like living Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde. I'd like to come up with creative music names for that, but it's 10:30 and I have trumpet lessons tomorrow so I'm not witty.

Anyway, my schedule is very different based on the day, which is a change from teaching 5-12 band. Somedays are packed with conducting lessons, wind band literature class, trumpet lessons, studio class, and a number of rehearsals(chamber players, wind symphony, symphonic band, pep band). That doesn't include lunch or coffee with my new found mentors. Somedays I don't have anything "official" to do until 1PM. I never seem to have a shortage of things to do, including those random tasks assigned to grad assistants.

I have mentioned my connection to the Centerville Jazz Band and I'm enjoying that as much as I am school. The hours are pretty tough, but I would really miss working with kids like that. It's like taking the best students at my old HS gig and multiplying them in number by 15. The most surreal moment so far: I'm talking to Mr. Wayne Markworth about doing an independent study with him next Fall at a rehearsal last week. I said, "Mr. Markworth, do you think we can use the CJB as part of independent study." He replied, "Not unless you call me Wayne." He has always been a distant legend in my eyes, now I'm standing beside him, calling him Wayne. He also added me on Facebook. Seriously, it blows my mind.

The Pep Band(my ensemble) is taking off. The students are working really hard to make it a more professional group and the numbers are growing. I'm hoping that fans and athletics will take notice. We started with around 20 members and it looks like we're going to break 60 next quarter. I'm learning how to pound the pavement for recruitment, even though it's not something I was comfortable with I know it has to be done. We have volleyball this Friday, but really I can't wait for basketball to start.

My trumpet playing is getting better thanks to a great new trumpet teacher, Dan Zehringer. He actually played a gig this summer with one of my former teachers, Dr. Bruce Briney. Small world. I'm working on the Hindemith Sonate for Trumpet. It's pretty far above me, but the range isn't bad so at least I'm not fighting that demon. After my audition I was told my tone was too bright, I sounded like a jazzer(kudos Dr. John Cooper right?). I'm working, but it's slow. Not sure I'll take trumpet every quarter it's struggle to find time to practice both trumpet and conducting enough. I always feel like I'm short changing something.

The best moments of learning so far have came in informal ways. I had coffee(well both of us drank tea) with Dr. Jagow to talk about how she does score study. I like to use color and so does she so it was great to have her help me articulate why I use color. We spoke about how much we like where we are and how different things are in Canada(her home). We even had a visit with another professor's parents and toddler daughter. It's great to see the teachers as human, with families...you know normal, but awesome like I hope to be someday.

I spent 10AM-2PM with Dr. Booth today. We conducted, we talked history, then we went to lunch. At Arby's we discussed pieces we thought were cornerstones of wind band lit as well as the "coming of age" composers I have played a lot of and had my students play. Over a market fresh sandwich and curly fries we talked about "La Fiesta"(he was shocked someone my age listed that piece) I really enjoyed that talk today and I hope for many more like it.

Alright Jes is home and it's time for me to get back to work! Hopefully the next one of these posts will happen a little quicker. Until next time...

Grad School: Week One

I am tired. I am asking myself questions about my life and my goals. I'm working very hard to fit in, yet be myself. I'm listening, playing, and conducting all day while teaching all night. I'm drinking coffee(and I don't like it). I am a graduate student, graduate teaching assistant, and adjunct faculty member at Wright State University. I'm earning my Master of Music Performance Degree in Wind Conducting.

Week one started on Tuesday with listening to Wind Symphony auditions. I also did some PDF scanning and organizing. In the afternoon I conducted the non-majors who are hoping for a spot in Symphonic Band while the director listened for who she would select. Then it was off to Centerville for a couple hours where I worked with the marching band. Then right back to school, Jes is singing in the Dayton Philharmonic Chorus and she had rehearsal at Wright State so I rode with her and got more work done.

Wednesday it was more listening to more groups. I'm glad that the band faculty here are seeing me as one of their own so quickly, every time they go to lunch or to get coffee and I'm in earshot I'm invited. I learned a lot sitting at Wendy's with them. Three very different personalities, teachers, and conductors. Even though I'm assigned to the Director of Bands since he is in charge of the graduate wind conducting program, all three of them have been open to me and I feel safe discussing a multitude of things with them. I will be in as many rehearsals as possible. I will try not to let a second of observation and dialogue go by in these two years. I think lunch with them was the only time I eat a meal this week...

The next day was my trumpet audition. I prepared to the best of my ability. I had been telling the professors not to expect much from me. They were shocked by my audition. When we figured it up I hadn't taken a lesson in 5 years or played in an college ensemble in 4. I wish I would've played like that at WIU, I might've had some more respect for myself...but hindsight is 20/20. I played with the trumpet ensemble in preparation for our upcoming performance for Doc Severinsen. I'm thankful Mr. Zehringer chose to include me in that group. I pulled two pieces to read with the non-majors again and both selections were well received by Dr. Jagow, the Associate Director of Bands, so I conducted those in the afternoon.

After the auditions were done, Dr. Booth found me and we headed to Starbucks(I think he practically lives there) to talk about my audition. I missed Wind Symphony by sliver. He knew I was disappointed, but understanding I mean how could I compete with the trumpet grad students and the studio players who were consistently taking lessons? I made the decision there to take lessons if the professor would have me. Who would've thought, me wanting to take trumpet again?

Dr. Booth and I talked for many hours about our stories and why we ended up in this job. He explained to me that we're friends now and we're going to work closely to highlight my strengths and my weaknesses strengths. I wish I had as much confidence in me as he does. He says we put up screens to protect ourselves, but they don't let us grow. He asked how he can get rid of my screen. I feel like he has quite the handle on my psyche already. The stories he shared blow my mind. He compared me to Gary Green, the director at the Frost School of Music. Ironically, one of my mentors, Doug Phillips, is studying with Dr. Green now. I thought I could never be anything great from the middle of nowhere IL...has that all been a lie I've told myself for 26 years? Do I have the ability to be great? Dr. Booth sure think so, I guess I picked the right mentor. It's great to have someone believe in me.

As for that audition, maybe I'll get back in shape...maybe I'll make, or not. I'm so thankful he made me try again.

Today I was tired. Dr. Booth says that all the faculty I work here will charge my batteries so that I go out and set the world on fire. He told me as a 5-12 director I gave a lot of myself and now it's time to refine and replenish. I was tired, but I'm motivated. I worked a few hours at the music table at "Fall Fest" recruiting for my pep band. God help the Pep Band here. We meet Monday night and I have no idea what kind of shape the group is in since I haven't heard a good thing about it yet. It's college teaching experience nonetheless!

After more auditions and a talk with the trumpet professor(by the way the reason I didn't make Wind Symphony? My tone is has too much sizzle, they pegged me a jazz lead player which made a whole lot of sense) The professor says he can easily help me and trumpet lessons start on Wednesday. Then I went to Centerville to get the band practiced up for the big Alter v. Centerville game tonight. The place was packed tonight! On a random note, Wayne Markworth friended me on FB. Look him up if you don't know that name!

I'm glad I had the night away from the game though. It's nice to sit in my shorts and blog. I see this blog evolving a bit into reflections on what I'm studying. I can always pull it up on my BB to remember talking points right? I guess I just don't know how to internalize and study the books he just gave me to read this weekend. Well I better get to reading "Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals"

My mind will stretch and tonight I sit here wondering what can I be? What will I be?

Northmont Serves Up Nostalgia

Yesterday began around 7:30AM for me and ended a little after midnight. Yep, you guessed it I was with a marching band. It was my first actual performance with the Centerville Jazz Band and even though it was just an exhibition it flooded my mind.

I first was amazed at the dedication of the students. At 8:30AM they were ready to go even though they had performed at a football game the night before. They were more awake than some of the techs that's for sure. It was great for me to see the way they rehearse on a performance day. Since this venue was only 35 miles away they got in a full day of cleaning before we loaded 5 buses for Northmont. They didn't play much, as expected, but they have such an attention to detail. For example, the practiced in their shakos to get a feel for the sightlines that would be blocked. It all makes so much sense, everything has its place...a purpose. They slowly, but surely head towards their goal at BOA Finals. There's so much to copy from their playbook. I'm very thankful for the opportunity.

I thought a lot about what my future holds, do I want every weekend to be like this for the rest of my career? After meeting with my newest mentor and getting my first experiences as college faculty I wondered if that will be the path I chose. I guess I have a lot more thinking to do and I'm really ok with that for the first time in my life, I'm letting things happen because I really don't know the next step no matter how many times I've said "I want to teach a big HS program" or "I want to be the Assistant/Director of Bands at a University".

I came home during the dinner break to change and sneak a few quiet minutes. The staff just dresses up a pair of jeans. The director said he just doesn't take himself too seriously, that's why the tie will get broken out at the end of the season. It was weird to be sitting on a bus in jeans and button down shirt. Still with my bag of course.

I couldn't help, but think of the Marching Titans as the bus hummed along the interstate. Students were listening to Ipods, texting, and laughing as we drove. While it wasn't my group and I didn't have a bag of med forms, it felt comfortable. It was like I was home. The groups have many things in common, despite the obvious differences in size and financial support. The passion and drive, the sense of belonging, not to mention some cool uniforms, and of course lack of sousaphones(shudder).

I could pick out personalities that reminded me of my first band. There seems to be an equivelent to each of the students in those first EPGHS bands here at Centerville. They might not correspond by instrument(however the sax section leader is a tenor playing girl who plays very well), but the spirit is the same. I could go on, but that's not really the point.

For better or worse, I'm glad I turned down a few other offers to be the director at EPG. I met some great people, learned a lot about teaching, and found my future wife. I was told by one of my teachers that even though it wasn't the ideal job, I would always remember my first band. The group that really let me teach for the first time. I didn't believe it when he told me, but today I'm certain I would have no problem listing every student in the band 07-09 and something about them. I know I'd smile (almost) the whole time too. Those kids made just as much of an impression on me, if not a deeper one on me, than I did on them.

A School Year Reflection

I have officially been out of school for a week. The desk is packed up and I've moved into my temporary summer home to save money before the big move to Ohio. I always like doing reflective posts because, like a fine wine, they get better with age. Or so I'm told, truth be told I don't know a whole lot about wine.

I started the school year taking a job after a week of trying to decide between a move to Minnesota or staying very close to my hometown. I chose being close because they had a marching band, I could live with my fiancee in my old college town, and it just seemed easier. The HS principal called to hire me and I was looking forward to being the Assistant Director of Bands. It meant no more general music and a bigger program. It also meant missing a bunch of students who will always mean a lot to me because they were my first ones, they believed in me as much as I believed in them.

It wasn't until I was days away from the move into what we thought would be a charming little house that I found out this was a strictly middle school job. The other director had no intention of letting me direct the high school band on any pieces and that HS principal that hired me would hardly speak another word to me. I was upset, I felt like I had been deceived and I interviewed for one last job before settling in at band camp. I wasn't thrilled when that other principal called, "we liked you, but we went with someone with a master's. Do you want me to keep your name up around the area?" she said. Yes, of course I wanted that, but mostly I vowed to get that Master's. I can't gain experience any faster, but I sure can change my degree level.

Band camp was a shock to my system, the band was almost double the size of my first school's, but they lacked discipline and strong student leadership. To make matters worse, they shared a fight song. My heart just wasn't in it. They fought with each other, they told the director what to do, they told me I wasn't nice. The whole community seemed happy and proud of the program, I can't blame them because it's all they knew and for that far downstate they might've been right. I wanted to change that, which is why it was good to be the middle school guy.

My fiancee(at this time girlfriend) watched me become someone she didn't like a whole lot. Where was the energy and the passion of that educator she met in the band room at EPGHS? She helped me when she could, but I just wasn't happy. I'm fortunate that she stuck it out and that she told me to look at grad schools. I said I didn't want to skip around too much, but she saw it as not going after a dream. I still had dreams, I was still passionate, I just felt that they'd been put on hold. Like I was stalling, I'm not used to standing still.

I was frustrated, but I threw myself into the 6-8 bands. I started changing how they thought. We worked on intonation and scale studies. I gave them responsibilities and for the most part they met the challenges.  We began changing things slowly. We were setting higher expectations. I began l finding some of those students who make it great to come to work everyday. I was so thankful for that and for them.

Jes and I got engaged on Nov 27th 2009. I took her on a trip to Chicago giving her instructions to bring a fancier dress. Her friends at school were all telling her that this was it, but she said she tried not to get her hopes up. I popped the question with a great diamond(that took months to find) under Cloudgate aka "the Bean" in Chicago. We stayed at a great hotel in the theater district and I can't wait to go back there again.

By Christmas break the school had hit a financial crisis and who hadn't? The state was(and is) an amazing amount of debt and school districts aren't getting paid. The superintendent gave some dire speeches. People were scared. I talked to the Regional of Education representative about keeping my certification and going to school out of state. It all sounded very simple. Keep my certificate current, get my other degree and that would be my bump from initial to standard.

By February I had researched over 50 graduate programs in some combination of Wind Conducting and Music Education. I had met or at least spoke to professors from all over the country. Jes and I set off on some adventures and I had so much fun conducting band and auditioning all over the midwest. All but one school offered me a place there, but in the end a school in OH became the top choice.

During all of this my groups were continuing to rise to my level. I enjoyed the middle school groups more than I ever thought I could. I've met some great middle school teachers who have no desire to teach HS and I really wish more of us would find our place. There is no greater program, just the program that fits an individual teacher the best.

We organized a district-wide MIOSM concert. That was one of the highlights of my year. One thing that was slightly selfish of me was my smile when the high school band tried to follow the 7/8 bands way of tuning, they never tuned in rehearsal. It fell pretty flat and gave me a little ego boost. Over 200 students playing all different arrangements of "Simple Gifts" and then at the end we combined to play a number. As I conducted them I knew I had no control, I just had to get us safely from beginning to end. The audience was ecstatic, what a great moment. Solo and ensemble came and went and it was time to talk to my colleague about my move. I wasn't looking forward to that, she'd been through two guys in the past four years in this job. It had to happen though.

I'll never forget sitting outside on the campus of Wright State University wondering if it was the right choice. There were so many questions, will I be successful? Can we afford this? Will Jes find a job? Will we like it here? There is no way to know for sure, but she seemed confident in telling me that I fit here. I liked the faculty I had met and I liked how they treated Jes. It was a little more metropolitan, which we wanted and it had the right vibe. I signed my letter of intent and became a GTA in Wind Conducting. Now it was time to finish out the year.

I explained my situation in April and then gave the final word on my leaving just at the beginning of May. Even though I'm not cut out for middle school I sure was glad to work for that principal. In the long run I'm glad the one at the HS had less to do with me. He's been the boss, I've ever had. A true leader, who's in it for all the right reasons. I  turned my letter of resignation into the superintendent and word spread quickly. When I went to get my mail I spent a lot of time telling other teachers what was up. They were happy for me, but not for the school, again I felt like I had a better connection to them then I did to teachers at my old school.

The Spring Concert went off without a hitch, even though I was tired everyday from the over an hour long commute from doing "The Producers" in Bloomington. The kids started hearing things and I explained to them where I was going. I'm glad they understood. I think they are used to it, which is kind of sad. I got some great letters, thank yous,  and emails. I shared my information with parents in case any wants to get ahold of me. I had my final class with them as "May Madness Band Bracket Challenge".

My desk was packed up last Thursday. The boxes went in my car and I found an envelope that held "best of day" certificates for my clarinet quintet. I chased the kids down and handed them out. I was so proud of them. The middle school band had became my ensemble and I loved them for it. I handed in my keys, turned off my computer, promised to help if anyone needed me, and drove off listening to U2's "Where the Streets Have No Names". I had ended my stalled school year and learned more than I thought I would. I wonder how I'll look back on this in 5 years or 20...

If I just could've combined the things I liked about both jobs, I might've stayed forever...then again maybe that's why it wasn't perfect, to push me forward. Everything happens for a reason.