Rehearsing The High School Band: Valuable Lessons from Extraordinary Directors
Clinic Synopsis:
When 11 of the finest high school band directors in America—each with 25 to 40 years of experience—were asked how they rehearsed their ensembles and developed programs of national excellence, several fascinating themes emerged. During this session, 5 of these master teachers, each from diverse communities and backgrounds, share important lessons and fundamental philosophies common to all of them.
Stephen Meyer
- Biographical Information
Stephen Meyer is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, having previously served as the Interim Assistant Director of Bands at the University of South Carolina. Prior to USC, Stephen was the Director of Bands at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas. Under his direction, the Clear Creek Wind Ensemble was a featured performer at the 2013 Midwest Clinic, was named a National Winner in the National Wind Band Honors Project three times, a two-time national finalist for American Prize in Wind Ensemble Performance, and the Grand Champion of the 2013 Dallas Wind Symphony Invitational. He previously taught at Harrison High School in Cobb County, Georgia, where he assisted with performances at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the University of Georgia January Festival. While co-director of the marching band, the band was a consistent Bands of America Regional and Super-Regional Finalist, a Bands of America Grand National Finalist in 2007, and a featured ensemble in the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Meyer graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and in 2013 he graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Michigan.
Gary Markham - Biographical Information
Mr. Markham is recently Retired Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Cobb County School District in Marietta, GA. He is the former Director of Bands at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Virginia. He has over four decades of experience in music education with 25 years as a high school band director and 20 years as a music supervisor. He currently serves internationally as clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and consultant. The Cobb County Music program has been named one of the “BEST Communities for Music Education in America, 12 times. Mr. Markham received his B. S. degree from Mansfield State University, M. Ed. degree from Penn State University, and studied for Ph. D (ABD) in conducting and music supervision at George Mason University with Tony Maiello and Arnald Gabriel.
Roy Holder - Biographical Information
Roy Holder received both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He spent 42 years working in the public schools of Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia. Ensembles conducted by Mr. Holder have consistently received Superior ratings in Concert, Marching, and Jazz Ensemble events at both
?the state and national levels. In June of 2011 the Lake Braddock Secondary School Band was awarded the 30 year Honor Band Plaque by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association for earning superior ratings at both the state Concert Festival and the State Marching Band Festivals for 30 consecutive years. Additionally, ensembles under Mr. Holder’s direction have performed at the John F. Kennedy Center, the Federal Reserve, the Pentagon, 4 times at the Virginia Music Educators Association In Service Conference, 3 times for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, for the American Bandmasters Association Convention and recently completed a concert tour of China under the sponsorship of the US-China Cultural and Educational Foundation. Mr. Holder continues to keep a busy schedule of adjudication and guest conducting events and remains an active advocate or bands and band music.
Bill Watson - Biographical Information
Bill Watson is a 1980 graduate of the University of Houston where he received his Masters of Conducting in 1995. Mr. Watson is currently the Director of Fine Arts for the Lewisville Independent School District, located in Denton County just north of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Mr. Watson served 30 years as a band director in Texas, working in the Spring and Birdville School Districts at both the middle school and high school level. Mr. Watson has been fortunate to have worked with marching organizations that have received numerous awards, including 5 Texas UIL State Marching Championships, the 1993 Bands of America Grand National Championship, and 7 DCI World Championships. Bands under Bill Watson have earned numerous honors, including 9 TMEA State Honor Band appearances, including the 1984 Class C Middle School Honor Band. The Spring High School Band performed at the Midwest Clinic in 1994 and received the Sudler Flag of Honor in 1995.
Mr. Watson received the “Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year” award in 1986 and the 1998 Southwestern Bell Sponsor of the Year. He was also named the 2003 Richland High School “Teacher of the Year”. In 2015 he was named "Lewisville ISD Administrator of the Year". His professional affiliations include TMEA, TBA, TMAA, TMAC, and Phi Beta Mu.
David Vandewalker - Biographical Information
David W. Vandewalker is the assistant director of bands at Georgia State University, founding artistic director and conductor of the professional ensemble, Cobb Chamber Winds, and the conductor of the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble.
Prior to his appointment at GSU, Vandewalker taught for many years in both middle and high school settings in Texas and Georgia. He is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, nine-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, is recognized in multiple editions of Who's Who Among American Teachers, and in 2013, became an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. Dr. Vandewalker earned degrees at Baylor University, Central Michigan University, and Boston University where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
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