IYCB (If you conduct better…)
Clinic Synopsis:
This clinic is aimed at school orchestra conductors/teachers. A hands on opportunity to work with a high school clinic ensemble on conducting fundamentals, an aspect of music education curricula often given short shrift. While being a skilled maestro is not a prerequisite for career success in our profession, if you conduct better…(TWPB) they will play better. To apply go to: https://tinyurl.com/iycb2023
Larry Livingston
- Biographical Information
Mr. Livingston has appeared with the Houston Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series, at the Festival de Musique in France, with the Stockholm Wind Orchestra, the Leopoldinum Orchestra in Poland, the Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra in Rumania, and the Pan Pacific Festival Orchestras in Sydney. Maestro Livingston regularly conducts All-State Ensembles across the United States, including twelve appearances at the Texas All State Festival. In 2013-2022, Maestro Livingston conducts the All-State Bands or Orchestras of Arizona, Kentucky, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Washington, Michigan, and Texas, lead the Sewanee Music Festival Orchestra, serve again as clinician for the Disney Honors Program, and return to Katowice, Poland to conduct the opening concert in an international festival of European Academy orchestras. He has appeared as principal clinician in orchestral conducting workshops in Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and throughout the United StatesMr. Livingston has held positions as Vice President of the New England Conservatory of Music, Dean of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, where he Chairs the Conducting Department, and Acting President of Westminster Choir College. Recently inducted into the Music for All Hall of Fame, Mr. Livingston appeared in the “Lights Out” episode of Glee and was featured as a mentor in the USA Cable Network Television series, “The Moment.” He has appeared as principal clinician in conducting workshops in Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and throughout the United States.
Carl St.Clair - Biographical Information
The 2023-24 season marks Music Director Carl St.Clair’s 34th year leading Pacific Symphony. As one of the longest-tenured conductors of the major American orchestras, he is recognized for his musically distinguished performances, his commitment to building educational programs, and his innovative approaches to programming. In April 2018, St.Clair led Pacific Symphony in its sold-out Carnegie Hall debut, with The New York Times calling the Symphony “a major ensemble!” He led Pacific Symphony on its first tour to China in May 2018, the orchestra’s first international tour since touring Europe in 2006.From 2008-10, St.Clair was general music director for the Komische Oper in Berlin. He also served as general music director and chief conductor of the German National Theater and Staatskapelle (GNTS) in Weimar, Germany, where he led Wagner’s Ring Cycle to critical acclaim. St.Clair now celebrates his tenth season as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica. St.Clair, a strong advocate of music education is internationally recognized for his distinguished career as a master teacher. St.Clair has worked with many major music schools across the country. In 2018, was appointed as a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University and has been named “Distinguished Alumni in Residence” at the University of Texas Butler School of Music beginning 2019. And, for over 25 years, he has had a continuing relationship with the USC Thornton School of Music where he is artistic leader and principal conductor of the Thornton Symphony and Thornton Winds.
Elizabeth Bennett - Biographical Information
Elizabeth Bennett is a graduate of Northwestern University where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bassoon Performance, and of Concordia University Wisconsin where she received a Masters in Choral Conducting and Composing. She began the role of Music & Theatre Department Chair at New Trier High School in 2021. Bennett is a firm believer of teaching with the whole student in mind, considering their physical wellness, mental well-being, and safety to be an essential part of their music education experience. While an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the country, Mrs. Bennett has also guest conducted or presented at events ranging from the Midwest to Las Vegas and is a regular Guest Lecturer at Northwestern University. Mrs. Bennett was recognized as a GRAMMY Music Educator finalist in 2020, named among the top 10 in the country for the award, and a semi-finalist in 2021. Bennett was the recipient of the prestigious national Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award from Northwestern University in 2015. In 2018 Bennett was recognized with the District 214 “Elizabeth Ennis Award” as the Innovative Educator of the Year. Additionally, in 2014 the University of Chicago awarded her the Outstanding Educator Award. In 2023 Bennett was elected to the School Board of her local elementary District. While Mrs. Bennett holds a degree in bassoon performance, she is also an accomplished violinist and vocalist. Beyond her musical career Mrs. Bennett enjoys creative culinary adventures in her kitchen and spending quality time with her incredibly supportive husband and two daughters.
Matthew Nix - Biographical Information
Equally at home as a cellist, conductor, and music educator, Matthew Nix is a dynamic musical storyteller on today’s stages. A native of Flint, Michigan, Matthew currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. He has recently performed in recitals with pianist Steve Wogaman in Detroit and Christina Giuca Krause in Chicago; performed in the cello sections of the South Bend, Flint, Saginaw Bay, and Lansing Symphony Orchestras; and presented twice at the Michigan Music Conference, twice at the Illinois Music Education Conference, and twice at the National American String Teachers Association Conference in Atlanta. Matthew is the former cellist of the award-winning Trio Arvo, a clarinet, cello, and piano chamber ensemble. He recently conducted and collaborated with the Carlos Chavez Symphony Orchestra in Mexico City and the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza in Monterrey, Mexico.Matthew is the Director of Orchestras at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. He is the former Orchestra Director at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, and has served as orchestra director at high schools in Michigan and New York over the past decade. He is a former music director of the Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Community Music School of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Matthew’s cello teachers and mentors have included Suren Bagratuni, Anthony Elliott, Deborah Pae, and Julia Ford Edwards. He has participated in masterclasses with cellists Colin Carr, Tanya Lewinsky Carey, and Anthony Ross.A graduate of the Michigan State University College of Music, Matthew holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in cello performance and music education, with honor. He is the recipient of the Bornoff Memorial Scholarship from the American String Teachers Association; the Valade Fellowship from the Interlochen Center for the Arts; and the New Directions in Music Education Fellowship from the Michigan State University College of Music. Matthew’s conducting mentors have included maestros Enrique Arturo Diemecke, Gary Lewis, Jeff Grogan, and Raphael Jiménez.
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