In fall 2013, I found myself in an entirely new place.  I started my DMA in wind conducting at Arizona State University, studying with Gary HillWayne Bailey, and Timothy Russell.  Here’s a look at what the bands played at ASU:

CONCERT BAND (non-auditioned, mostly non-music major undergrads, and my responsibility for the year):

Folk Songs – Tuesday October 8, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

The Thunderer – John Philip Sousa (guest conducted by Serena Weren)

Polly Oliver – Thomas Root

Yorkshire Ballad – James Barnes

New Wade ‘N Water – Adolphus Hailstork

Simple Gifts – Frank Ticheli

American Riversongs – Pierre La Plante

Ancient Influences (shared with String Orchestra)- Monday December 2, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre

Brighton Beach – William Latham

Baroque Celebration – Leland Forsblad

Courtly Airs and Dances – Ron Nelson

First Suite in E-flat – Gustav Holst

The other bands on campus are the Wind Ensemble, which is mostly undergrad music majors, and the Wind Orchestra, which is mostly comprised of graduate performance majors.  Both were primarily conducted by Wayne Bailey, with some assistance from myself and my fellow DMA wind conducting TA, Serena Weren.  Together, they put on three concerts:

Around the World in 80 Minutes – October 1

Wind Ensemble:

Variations on a Korean Folk Song – John Barnes Chance

English Folk Song Suite – Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suite Francaise – Darius Milhaud, conducted by Serena Weren

Wind Orchestra:

Concerto for Nay – Daniel Schnyder

Selected Octets – Alec Wilder

Chamber Music – October 27 (Wind Ensemble only)

Selections for Brass Ensemble – Giovanni Gabrieli and JS Bach

Milonga del Angel – Astor Piazzolla (chamber version)

Selections from Bach Buch – J. S. Bach, transcribed by Carter Pann, conducted by me

Serenade in E-flat – W. A. Mozart, conducted by Serena Weren

From Dusk to Dawn – November 24

Wind Ensemble:

Aurora Awakes – John Mackey

Dusk – Steven Bryant, conducted by me

Pele – Brian Balmages

Wind Orchestra:

Hammersmith Prelude and Scherzo – Gustav Holst, conducted by Serena Weren

Konzertmusik, Opus 41 – Paul Hindemith

I also got to conduct a full reading of Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat with the wind orchestra, part of a series of rehearsals where we read through pieces that they might encounter in military band auditions.