Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Symphony

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The band program at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, provides a myriad of experiences in the performing arts for its students. Performing ensembles include the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band I, II and III, Indoor Percussion, and our nationally-ranked Color Guard. In the fall, all of these groups combine to form the award-winning Eagle Regiment Marching Band. MSD bands consistently earn the highest ratings at all levels of evaluation. Students must audition for the top two concert bands and the top two jazz bands. All ensembles participate in district and state level assessments and festivals. The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band consistently earn straight Superior ratings at State Concert Band Assessments, and in 2018, all three concert bands earned straight Superior ratings at the state level. This has only happened twice in the history of FBA. As a result, the band program earned three Otto J. Kraushaar Awards, Florida’s highest honor. Jazz Band I and II also consistently earn Superior ratings at State Jazz Band Assessments. The Eagle Regiment has won multiple FMBC Regional Championships and is consistently a State Championship Finalist. Most recently, the Eagle Regiment was a 2016 & 2018 BOA Regional Finalist Band and has been the FMBC Class 5A State Champion for two consecutive years (2017 & 2018). The Wind Symphony is the principal concert ensemble of the band program and has earned a reputation for performing sophisticated literature at the highest levels of musical excellence. Most recently, the MSD Wind Symphony was named a 2018 National Wind Band Honors winner as one of only ten 6A bands in the nation, the other nine being from Texas. In addition to ensemble success, members of the Stoneman Douglas Band distinguish themselves through individual efforts resulting in the highest representation in the Broward All-County Band, and one of the highest representations in the Florida All-State Bands. Students also participate extensively in Solo and Ensemble Performance Assessments as well as FYO and other Honor Band activities including the FSU Tri-State Festival, USF Festival of Winds, and the UM Frost Honor Band Festival.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Symphony

Conductor's Bio

Alexander Kaminsky holds degrees from the University of Florida and Indiana University, and is currently Director of Bands at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In addition to being active as an adjudicator, Mr. Kaminsky is in demand as a guest conductor having conducted numerous All-County/Region Bands and has served as an All-State conductor as well as session presenter in several states including Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Bands under his direction consistently earn Superior ratings at all levels of evaluation. Mr. Kaminsky has earned Superior ratings at the FBA State Concert Band Assessment for an unprecedented 22 consecutive years. Additionally, he is the only director in the history of the Florida Bandmasters Association to have had three concert bands earn straight Superior ratings at State, and he has achieved this twice (2009 and 2018). Mr. Kaminsky’s bands have been invited to perform at prestigious state and national festivals and conferences including the Midwest Clinic (2005, 2009, 2014 and 2018), American Bandmasters Association National Convention (2014), CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2004 and 2014), FMEA State Conference (2014), National Concert Band Festival (2002 and 2012), and the National Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall (2009 and 2018). Additionally, the Stoneman Douglas Wind Symphony was named a 2018 National Wind Band Honors winner as one of only ten 6A bands in the nation, the other nine being from Texas. Marching bands under Kaminsky’s direction consistently place in the Florida Marching Band State Championship Finals, most recently winning the FMBC Class 4A/5A State Championship four of the last six years (2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018) and being named a 2016 & 2018 BOA Regional Finalist. Among his awards are eight NBA Citations of Excellence, the 2018 FMEA Secondary Music Educator of the Year Award, the FBA Oliver Hobbs Award, and election into the prestigious ABA and ASBDA. Mr. Kaminsky is a National Board Certified Teacher, has served on the FBA Executive Board, and currently serves on several state and national committees. In addition to his music education activities, Mr. Kaminsky attends Parkridge Church where his family is actively involved in ministry.