As music teachers and directors of large classes with a wide range of pedagogical needs, we often develop systems and patterns to become more efficient and effective. As helpful as they can be, these structures can easily become habitual and routine for our students and ourselves. This session will help you reignite yourself and your students through reflection and examples of how we can inspire our students with fresh approaches to our familiar routines.
Chris Knighten
- Biographical Information
Chris Knighten serves as Director of Bands and Professor of
Conducting at the Department of Music at the University of Arkansas, where he
conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches graduate conducting, and oversees all
aspects of the University of Arkansas Bands including the Wind Ensemble, Wind
Symphony, Symphonic Band, three campus bands, the Hogwild Pep Band, and the
Razorback Marching Band. He was pivotal in the creation of the Doctor of
Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of Arkansas, the first and
only doctoral degree in music in the state. Under his direction since 2012, the University of Arkansas Wind
Ensemble performed at the 2014, 2016, and 2024 CBDNA Southwestern Division
conferences, hosted the annual U of A Conducting Symposium, and has collaborated
with numerous performers and composers including Eighth Blackbird, David
Biedenbender, Jennifer Jolley, Omar Thomas, Viet Cuong, Edward Jacobs, Shuying
Li, Michael Daugherty, Anthony Barfield, Carter Pann, and James Stephenson. Dr. Knighten has presented sessions on conducting pedagogy and
wind band literature at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the College Band
Directors National Association Conference, the Music Educators National
Conference, and the Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas
Music Educators Association conferences. His articles on conducting and band
literature have been published in The
Journal of Band Research, Teaching
Music Through Performance in Band series, The Instrumentalist, The North Carolina Music Educator, and Today’s Music Educator.
Dr. Knighten has taught on the faculties at East Carolina
University and Baylor University and taught instrumental music at Richland High
School in North Richland Hills, TX. He earned the Bachelor of Music
Education degree from Baylor University and the Master of Music degree in Wind
Conducting and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the
University of Colorado at Boulder. His primary conducting teachers were Michael
Haithcock and Allan McMurray. He is a member of the College Band Directors
National Association, is a Past-President of the CBDNA Southwestern Division, and
is currently the National Chair of the New Works Committee of CBDNA. He is also
an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu.