As music teachers we strive to facilitate independent musicianship, foster student creativity, and provide an engaging learning environment. How can we improve? It starts with you! This session will help participants develop a musical interpretation through successful score study and explore ways to communicate these ideas through rehearsal techniques and simple conducting gesture.
David Thornton
- Biographical Information
David Thornton joined the faculty at Michigan State University's College of Music in the fall of 2015 as assistant director of bands. Dr. Thornton conducts the university Concert Band, is the associate director of the Spartan Marching Band and teaches courses in instrumental conducting and marching band methods. He earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University and his bachelor’s degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education from Florida State University. Prior to coming to MSU, Thornton taught in the state of Florida where he was the assistant director of bands at Eau Gallie High School (Melbourne) and most recently the director of bands at Leon High School (Tallahassee).
Matthew Dockendorf is Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder where he conducts the Concert Band, assists with the "Golden Buffalo" Marching Band, directs the “Buff” Basketball Band, and teaches courses in music education.
Prior to his appointment at CU Boulder, Dr. Dockendorf studied at Michigan State University where he wrote drill and arranged music for the Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass. He served as conductor of the Campus Band and guest conducted the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Musique 21.
Dr. Dockendorf holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Michigan State University under Dr. Kevin L. Sedatole; a Master of Music in Conducting from The Ohio State University under Dr. Russel Mikkelson; and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota where he studied and performed under Prof. Craig Kirchhoff, Prof. Jerry Luckhardt, and Dr. Timothy Diem. After his undergraduate studies, Dr. Dockendorf taught at Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Dr. Dockendorf has guest conducted in Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina, and has presented clinics at various state music conferences. Currently, his transcriptions of Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in E-flat for Concert Band and his Doctor of Musical Arts treatise of Silvestre Revueltas’ Troka for Wind Ensemble are under consideration for publication.