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Time:

Friday
December, 18, 2015
08:30 AM - 09:30 AM

Location:

W183

Clinician(s)

Takumi Kobayashi

Takumi Kobayashi

[email protected]
Beth Bronk

Beth Bronk

Right From the Start

Clinic Synopsis:

Establishing ideal tone and intonation as entry-level criteria, director Kobayashi quickly assimilates beginning Junior High students into his Senior High symphonic band ensemble. Student leaders model high standards for fundamentals, including embouchure, breathing, and posture, creating and maintaining a standard of excellence for their sections through long tones, singing, and pitch awareness exercises. Using the Yamaha Harmony Director HD-200 as a training tool, experienced members of the ensemble alternate with new members in performing skills individually, by section, and by grade until the desired blend and accuracy is achieved. Professor Beth Bronk offers explanation and perspective on practical American classroom application of these methods with a detailed description of how Mr. Kobayashi and students utilize Yamaha’s Harmony Director.

Takumi Kobayashi - Biographical Information

Takumi Kobayashi, born in Okayama, graduated from Hokkaido University of Education, Kushiro Campus, studying trumpet with Mineo Sugiki, Tsugufumi Matsuda and Naohiro Tsuken. Kobayashi taught secondary music education in Okayama Prefecture for twenty years, starting in 1986, while continuing band direction studies with Shuichi Takeuchi and Mamoru Nakata. There he led his bands to Chugoku divisional finals contest nine times. In 2006 Mr. Kobayashi accepted the position of general music teacher and band club director at Shujitsu Jr./Sr. High School. Under his leadership, the band advanced to the All Japan Ensemble Contest Finals in 2010 and the All Japan Band Contest Finals in 2014. He conducted the All Japan High School Band’s performance at Carnegie Hall in December, 2012. Mr. Kobayashi and Shujitsu Jr./Sr. HS were featured performers at the 27th All Japan High School Wind Band Conference in Hamamatsu, in March of 2015. While continuing duties at Shujitsu, Mr. Kobayashi is vice president of the Okayama [State] High School Band Association, a member of Band Directing 21 and a committee member of the Tonamino Band Clinic.

Beth Bronk - Biographical Information

Beth Bronk is beginning her tenth year as Director of Bands at Texas Lutheran University, where she teaches conducting, instrumental music education courses, and directs the TLU Bands. Prof. Bronk earned her Bachelor of Music, performance certificate, and teaching certification at the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation on “Expertise in Intonation Instruction” to complete her studies at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before joining the faculty at Texas Lutheran University, she completed eighteen years of public school teaching and administration, primarily in New Braunfels, TX. Ms. Bronk is an active clinician, adjudicator, and performer, and currently serves on the State Board of the Texas Music Educators Association and as the Vice-President for Professional Relations on the National Council for Tau Beta Sigma.

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