The Midwest Clinic Chat Rooms provide an arena where teachers will learn from and dialogue with expert practitioners. These brief ‘chats’ allow directors a forum for collaboration in a relaxed, intimate environment. The Chat Rooms have limited seating so attendance is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Richard Floyd
- Biographical Information
Texas State Director of Music Emeritus Richard Floyd is presently in his 61st year of active involvement as a conductor, music educator and administrator. He has enjoyed a distinguished career at virtually every level of wind band performance and music education. Prior to his 31-year tenure at the University of Texas he held positions as Professor of Conducting and Wind Ensemble Conductor at the University of South Florida, Director of Bands at Baylor University and 11 years as a member of the music faculty in the nationally acclaimed Richardson, Texas school band program.
Mr. Floyd is a recognized authority on conducting, the art of wind band rehearsing, concert band repertoire, and music advocacy. As such, he has toured extensively including appearances in 44 American states and in 9 other countries. The Austin Symphonic Band, under his leadership, performed at the Midwest International Clinic in Chicago on three occasions.
In 2002 he was the recipient of the prestigious A.A. Harding Award presented by the American School Band Directors Association. In The Texas Bandmasters Association named him Texas Bandmaster of the Year in 2006 and in 2009 he was presented the Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award. In March of 2011 he was inducted into the Music for All Hall of Fame and awarded the prestigious Midwest International Clinic Medal of Honor for his distinguished and unique contributions to educational bands and orchestras. Most recently he was inducted into the National Band Association Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts, considered to be the Academy Award of wind music performance and Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity honored him with the Outstanding Contributor Award recognizing individuals for outstanding contributions to band music education. In 2021 the College Band Directors National Association established the Richard Floyd CBDNA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his decades of service to that organization.
Floyd is a Yamaha Master Educator and is the author of the critically acclaimed book “The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music” published by GIA Publications. His latest book, “The Seven Deadly Sins of Music Making” also published by GIA was released in August 2020.