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Time:

Thursday
December, 21, 2017
04:30 PM - 05:30 PM

Location:

Meeting Room W186

Clinician(s)

Gary Smith

Gary Smith

[email protected]

Typical Musical and Marching Problems and Solutions for the Modern Marching Band

Clinic Synopsis:

Many marching bands experience typical problems when teaching and executing stylistic musical and marching fundamentals. This clinic will identify the most prevalent ones and demonstrate methods and exercises designed to improve in these areas. There will be lots of interactive activity with those who attend. Young and advanced bands can benefit from many of these concepts.

Gary Smith - Biographical Information

Gary received his B.A. degree from Butler University and his M.A. degree from Ball State University. From 1976 to 1998 and again in 2004, Gary was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign, where he conducted the nationally recognized Marching Illini, Basketball Band, Symphonic Band II, and in addition to teaching marching band procedures and band arranging in the School of Music. Previously he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, Director of Bands at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and Director of Bands at Northside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1988 Gary was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and serves as its president this year. In 2017 he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Chapter Band Director Hall of Fame. Recent awards include the University of Illinois Alumni Association “Outstanding Educator”, the Mary Hoffman “Outstanding Music Educator”, the “Spirit of the Illini” from the University of Illinois Athletic Association and the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal and the 2015 Outstanding Alumni Award in the School of Music at Ball State University. Presently, he serves as the producer of the annual Disney Thanksgiving Parade of Bands held at Disneyworld in Orlando, FL. In addition, he is the coordinator of the pre-game, halftime and parade festivities for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. In addition he serves as the conductor for the Bonita Springs Concert Band in Bonita Springs, FL. His book, “The System: Marching Band Methods”, is used as a textbook in several University marching band courses and marching band clinics.

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