The Legacy of John L. Whitwell: A Life Shaping Wind Band Conducting and Music Education - A Conversation
Clinic Synopsis:
This presentation will explore the life and career of John L. Whitwell, a distinguished wind band conductor and music educator. Whitwell’s impact includes leading university band programs, commissioning new works, and contributing to key music organizations. Through an interview with Whitwell and colleagues, the presentation will highlight his influence on the wind band community and his lasting legacy in shaping future generations of music educators and conductors.
J.T. Womack
- Biographical Information
Dr. JT Womack is the Director of Bands/Low Brass Instructor and Assistant Professor of Music at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Prior to his appointment at MHU, he served as the Director of Bands and Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He received his D.M.A. in Wind Conducting from the University of Iowa, where he studied with Dr. Richard Mark Heidel and Dr. Eric Bush. His doctoral thesis research details the life and career of Professor John Whitwell. Prior to his enrollment at the University of Iowa, Dr. Womack was the Director of Bands at Greenbrier Middle School and the Assistant Director of Bands at Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, TN from 2008-2018. Dr. Womack holds two degrees from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 2005, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, where he studied trombone with Susan K. Smith and graduated Cum Laude. In 2007, he earned a Master of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting where he studied with Mr. Bob Lee, Dr. Gregory Wolynec, Dr. Douglas Droste, and Dr. Andrea Brown. Prior to his career as a Music Educator in the state of Tennessee, Dr. Womack held an international career as a Professional Trombonist. In 2007, he was appointed as the Principal Trombonist of the Rome Festival Orchestra in Rome, Italy. Additionally, in 2007, he won the position of Principal Trombonist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Grandeur of the Seas.
Patricia Brumbaugh - Biographical Information
Patricia J. Brumbaugh received her BA degree in Music
Education from Olivet College in 1976 and an MM from the University of Michigan
in Music Education in 1986. She is A.B.D. in a Doctoral Program in Horn
Performance at the University of Memphis. Pat currently conducts the
Northwestern Michigan College Concert Band. After retiring from public school
teaching in 2013, as director of Bands at Traverse City West S.H., Pat returned
in 2017-18 to again serve as Director of Bands at Traverse City West S.H. until
a new conductor could be found. Prior to teaching at Traverse City West (2000 -
2013), Pat served as Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of
Memphis, conducted the Germantown Symphony (Tennessee), served as assistant
conductor of the Memphis Youth Symphony (TN) and created and conducted the
Memphis Area Youth Wind Ensemble (TN). Pat also served for four years as
Director of Bands at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and
taught for 12 years in the public schools of Ann Arbor Huron High School,
Northwest High School (Jackson), and Central Montcalm Public Schools in Stanton,
Michigan. In 1984, Pat was voted “Outstanding Young Band Conductor” in the
nation by the American School Band Directors Association and in 2006, she was
voted “Outstanding Band Teacher of the Year” in Michigan. In 2013, Pat was
awarded the Outstanding Person in Education Award by the Traverse Bay Area
Intermediate School District and in 2018, she received the Olivet College
Alumni Award for Outstanding Leadership for Individual and Social
Responsibility. Her bands & orchestras have performed at several State
& National conferences. Pat is a member of the Michigan School Band and
Orchestra Association (Emeritus) and has recently been appointed to the
executive board of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. She has
conducted All-State Bands in Texas, Florida, Kentucky and Indiana and continues
to serve as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. Besides conducting
the NMC Concert Band, Pat has volunteered at Reining Liberty Ranch (a ranch
dedicated to veterans of the U.S. Military) since 2013, where she helps take
care of 17 horses, 7 goats and one very stubborn miniature donkey. She enjoys
hiking in the woods with her wife (V. Flournoy Humphreys), 4 Miniature
Schnauzers and 1 Black Lab (not all at once!). Pat is also a woodworker who
enjoys making furniture for her house, other band directors, friends, &
Reining Liberty Ranch.
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