This session will discuss the demographics in the U.S. schools regarding the high presence of Latino population, in contrast with the low presence of music by Latin American composers in the regular band concerts. Part of the problem is the lack of knowledge in band directors of the existence of these works. This session will discuss key elements of context, including the issues of not programing this type of pieces, and will introduce works for young wind bands (grades 2-4) by Latino composers.
Rubén Darío Gómez
- Biographical Information
Rubén Darío Gómez is the current Director of Bands at Music at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and leads the SIUE Wind Symphony. He is also the coordinator of the SIUE Bi-State Honor Band Festival. He is also an active participant in the composition studio.
Originally from Colombia, Dr. Gómez earned his DMA degree in wind band conducting and secondary area in composition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as his Master of Music at Middle Tennessee State University, and his Bachelor of Music at Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia).
His pieces have been performed and published in Colombia, Europe and in the U.S. He has conducted bands and orchestras in Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and in the United States. Some important awards include: National Music Prize in Composition (Colombia 2012), National Scholarship for Colombians studying abroad (2016), and the American Student Composer Competition held by the Met Winds in Boston (2019). He is a recipient of the Hixon-Lied Fellowship and the F. Pace Woods Scholarship, offered by the Hixon-Lied College of Performing Arts at UNL. He is the current co-director of the Edwardsville Municipal Band and the Associate Director of the Saint Louis Wind Symphony.