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Time:

Wednesday
December, 19, 2018
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location:

Meeting Room W179

Clinician(s)

Chris Allen

Chris Allen

[email protected]
Brenden Johnson

Brenden Johnson

[email protected]

Chamber (Music) is in Session: Student Led Ensembles That Make Your Job Easier

Clinic Synopsis:

Chamber music is a vital asset to any band program. With marching band, region band, sightreading, and solo contest, how do you work a chamber program into your curriculum without living in your band hall? You will gain practical tools and strategies to implement a chamber program that increases student skills and keeps them accountable. We will also explore repertoire that can be tailored to any sized program for grades 6-12. Add value to your students, not time to your already busy schedule.

Chris Allen - Biographical Information

Chris Allen is currently in his ninth year as the Director of Bands in Willis ISD.  During his time in Willis the marching band has successfully transitioned from military to corps style marching.  The marching band made its first appearance at the Texas State Marching Contest in 2017. The Willis Wind Ensemble was a featured band at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival and the Saxophone Quartet performed in the National Chamber Music Festival in March of 2017.  The Willis Band is a consistent UIL sweepstakes award winner and has been named a national winner and commended winner in the Mark of Excellence competition on multiple occasions. Prior to his appointment in Willis, Mr. Allen served as an Assistant Band Director at The Woodlands HS.  During his time there the band was a consistent Bands of America National, Regional, and Super Regional Finalist and was named the National Class Champion in 2006. Mr. Allen holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston and a Master of Music degree from Sam Houston State University.   He currently resides in The Woodlands, TX with his beautiful wife, Lindsey, two wonderful kids, Landen and Brinley, and their family beagles, Toby and Katy.

Brenden Johnson - Biographical Information

Brenden Johnson is currently the assistant Band Director at Lynn Lucas Middle School in Willis ISD. His responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band and teaching beginner saxophone, double reed, flute, and percussion classes. He also serves as the Chamber Music Coordinator for Willis ISD. In 2017, he took the WHS Wind Ensemble Saxophone Quartet to perform at the Music for All Chamber Music National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Johnson appeared as a guest conductor with Willis High School Jazz Band at the 2016 Texas Bandmasters Association Clinic and Convention. Mr. Johnson, a Willis alumnus, received his degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University in 2016. During his time at SHSU, he was a founding member of the Velirium Saxophone Quartet, which was invited to perform at the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium and the North American Saxophone Alliance regional conference, as well as received honors at the Coltman Chamber Music Competition and the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Competition. His primary teachers consisted of Dr. Scott Plugge, Dr. Matthew McInturf, Dr. Aric Schneller, Dr. Brian Gibbs, Dr. Masahito Sugihara, and Seth McAdow.

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