Percy Grainger: In His Own Words (Advice to Wind Band Conductors) seeks to put Percy Grainger’s genius into a context that provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of his music. Drawing on Grainger’s own writings and statements, and using a broad range of musical examples, the goal of the presentation is to provide the wind band conductor with new insights to “Australia’s Greatest Composer.”
Chalon Ragsdale
- Biographical Information
Chalon Ragsdale has been a member of the faculty of the Music Department at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas since 1975. Currently Director of Percussion Studies, at one time or another Ragsdale has served as principal director of each of the University’s Bands. From 1990-98, he served as Chair of the Department of Music.
Ragsdale’s publishing concern, Aux Arcs Music, has focused on bringing editions of Grainger’s music to the band medium, and he has presented on various Grainger topics in Japan, Australia, and in the U.S., including the 2009 CBDNA National Convention in Austin. His arrangements of the music of Grainger and others have been performed in numerous significant venues, including the Midwest International Clinic and the College Band Directors National Association. In 2003, he was awarded the Grainger Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society “in recognition of his work on behalf of the music of Percy Grainger.”