Interviewed by Tim Lautzenheiser, “A CONVERSATION WITH…" is an annual favorite on The Midwest Clinic schedule. Each December, a revered member of our band/orchestra community sits center stage and treats the audience to a one-of-a-kind personalized sharing. This year's spotlight of acknowledgement is focused on Jerry Junkin.
Jerry Junkin
- Biographical Information
Serving since 1988 on the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Vincent R. and Jane D. DiNino Chair for the Director of Bands, in addition to serving as a University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Jerry Junkin is recognized as one of the world’s most highly regarded wind conductors. Previously, he served on the faculties of both the University of Michigan and the University of South Florida. In addition to his responsibilities as Professor of Music and Conductor of the Texas Wind Ensemble, he serves as Head of the Conducting Division and teaches courses in conducting and wind band literature. He is a recipient of multiple teaching awards, and students of Mr. Junkin hold major positions throughout the world. He has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia since 2003, and as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Winds since 1993. Additionally, he serves as visiting professor and principal guest conductor of the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Wind Ensemble in Kawasaki, Japan. In 2005, he was presented the Grainger Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society, in recognition of his championing of Grainger’s works. A recipient of the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to music Award, he was the 2012 Texas Bandmaster of the Year and in 2015 received the Medal of Honor from the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. He was the 2017 Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster of the Year and recently was awarded the CBDNA Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Junkin has released over 30 compact disc recordings for the Reference, Klavier and Naxos labels. The New York Times named his release with the UT Wind Ensemble on the Reference Recordings label, Bells for Stokowski, one of the best classical CDs of the year. Their performance of Circus Maximus was released on the world’s first BluRay audio disc in 5.1 surround sound by Naxos. In 2014, he led The University of Texas Wind Ensemble on a four-week tour around the world. Other major appearances with the UT Wind Ensemble include 1992 and 2008 European Tours, the 2007 Festival Del Sole in Napa Valley, in addition to three Carnegie Hall performances, ten TMEA Convention concerts, three ABA Convention performances, and seven CBDNA National Convention appearances. Jerry Junkin is an enthusiastic advocate of public school music education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in forty-eight states and on five continents. Mr. Junkin has served as President of the Big XII Band Director's Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of The John Philip Sousa Foundation, is Past-President of the American Bandmasters Association, and Past-President of the College Band Directors National Association. Regularly making guest appearances with ensembles such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and the Taipei Symphonic Winds, the current season finds him conducting throughout the United States in addition to appearances in Japan, China, and Europe. Jerry Junkin is a Yamaha Master Educator.
Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known name in the
music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant,
adjudicator, and, above all, a trusted friend to anyone interested in working
with young people in developing a desire for excellence. His career involves
ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University,
the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. During this time
Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in all areas of the instrumental and vocal
field. In 1981, he created Attitude Concepts for Today, an organization designed
to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars, and convention speaking
engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership
training. Tim also is the Senior Vice President of Education for
Conn-Selmer. Tim’s books, The Art of Successful Teaching and The Joy of Inspired Teaching, produced by G.I.A. Publications, are best-sellers in the
music profession. He is also co-author of Hal Leonard’s popular band method,
Essential Elements. Tim is a graduate of Ball State University and the
University of Alabama. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Midwest
Clinic, the Western International Band Clinic and the American Band College. He is presently an adjunct faculty member at Butler University.