Frank Battisti and Tim Lautzenheiser will discuss strategies, procedures and activities Battisti used in his legendary Ithaca High School Band Program from 1955-67. Using the IHS Band as a point of departure their presentation will focus on the importance of developing creative, re-creative and consuming music experiences, which can help students develop their musical and personal potential – to be “The Best They Can Be.”
Frank Battisti
- Biographical Information
Frank Battisti is conductor emeritus of the Wind Ensemble at the New England Conservatory. Throughout his career, he commissioned new works by many of the world’s leading composers and guest conducted throughout the United States and around the world. He also founded the World Association of Wind Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble, the New England College Band Association, and the Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Wind Ensemble. He authored/coauthored six books, the latest, Wind of Change II, published this year. In 1953, he began his teaching career in Ithaca (NY) and served as a legendary director of bands at Ithaca High School from 1955–67. Under his direction the band became one of the finest and unique ensembles in the nation and appears on the Sousa Foundation’s Historic Roll of Honor of High School Concert Bands, 1920–80.