Often in rehearsal, we as educators/conductors place too much responsibility on ourselves and not enough on our students. We want to foster independence in our students so they can bring an informed and creative perspective into rehearsals. Through mindful listening techniques, we can empower our students to be more involved musicians and evaluators in the rehearsal process and thus more invested in the performance outcomes and their individual importance as a member of the ensemble.
Jason Missal
- Biographical Information
Jason Missal is the Director of Bands at The University of Utah. In this capacity, he conducts the Wind Ensemble, leads the graduate wind conducting program, and oversees all aspects of the band program. Before his appointment at Utah, Dr. Missal was Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His duties at UL included conducting the Symphonic Winds, leading the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band, and teaching undergraduate conducting. Prior to his appointment at UL, Dr. Missal was the Associate Director of Bands at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. While at ACU, he was twice awarded the Citation for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Missal also taught for four years in the public schools of Jenks, Oklahoma. Dr. Missal has a national presence as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator and has published articles in The Instrumentalist and School Band & Orchestra magazines. His principal conducting teachers have been Jerry Junkin, Allan McMurray, Gary Lewis, and Joseph Missal.