Given the huge number of tasks we face during our often limited rehearsal time, effective and efficient communication of musical concepts is vitally important in helping students improve as musicians. This session will examine both verbal and non-verbal communication, helping attendees to identify unconscious mannerisms and improve their descriptive vocabulary, thereby creating an immersive rehearsal environment with consistent messaging that is easily understood by students of any level.
Devin Otto
- Biographical Information
Director of Bands and Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dr. Devin Otto is a versatile musician who enjoys an active career as a conductor and low brass performer. Committed to music education at all levels, Dr. Otto is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter in a variety of musical genres. His ongoing research in the use of improvisational theater games for conducting study resulted in presentations at the 2013 and 2019 National Conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and an article published in the CBDNA Journal. Dr. Otto is also published in the Journal of Band Research, and additional engagements as a clinician and presenter include various state music education conferences, the CBDNA North Central Region Conference, the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, and the International Society for Music Education Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dr. Otto holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting and Literature degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was a student of Allan McMurray. He also holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in music education from the University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University, and he has held faculty positions at Minot State University and Eastern Washington University.