Troy University News

Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

TSU to play host to 29th annual concert band clinic

   Troy State University will play host to seven concerts in three days as part of the 29th annual Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
   Approximately 1,000 music educators, band directors and middle and high school musicians will attend the clinic, according to Carol Franks, Associate Professor of Music at TSU and Director of the Clinic. The clinic will feature performances by two honor bands composed of some of the most outstanding high school musicians in the Southeast.
   "The participating students not only get the chance to perform but are also exposed to national caliber conductors and composers, visit the TSU campus and meet their peers," Franks said. "In addition, we will also have six other outstanding bands performing, including our own Troy State University Symphony Band."
   The U.S. Army Ground Forces Band from Fort McPherson, Ga., will open the clinic. Admission to all concerts is free and all performances are open to the general public. Each concert will be held in the Claudia Crosby Theater in Smith Hall on the TSU campus.
   Franks said two special guest conductors will participate in the clinic. Jerry Junkin is conductor and music director of the University of Texas Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds. Michael Nakasone is Director of Bands at Pearl City High School in Hawaii.
   The three-day clinic also includes performance clinics, vendor exhibits and sessions where band directors read newly published music. Public concerts include:

Thursday, Jan. 31, 8 p.m., the U.S. Army Ground Forces Band, Maj. Otis C. French, conductor;
Friday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m., Pizitz Middle School Band of Birmingham, Suzanne Winter, conductor;
Friday, Feb. 1, 1:15 p.m., Milton, Fla. High School Band, Randall Coleman, conductor;
Friday, Feb. 1, 3:30 p.m., Daleville High School Band, Trent Burkett, conductor
Friday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m., TSU Symphony Band, Ralph Ford, conductor;
Saturday, Feb. 2, 1:30 p.m., Pepperell High School Band of Lindale, Ga., Bob Steelnack, conductor;
Saturday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. Crimson and Silver honor bands.

BIOGRAPHY OF JERRY JUNKIN
   Jerry Junkin is Conductor and Music Director of the University of Texas-Austin Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds, and serves as head of the Conducting Division. He teaches courses in conducting and wind band literature. He is a recipient of the Texas Excellence in Teaching awards, presented annually by the Ex-Student’s Association. Junkin also serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, as well as Director of Bands and the Frank C. Erwin Professor of Conducting at The University of Texas.
   Mr. Junkin became conductor of The University of Texas Wind Ensemble in the fall of 1988, following an appointment as Director of Bands at the University of South Florida. From 1978 to 1982, he served as Assistant Director of Bands at UT, after which he held a similar position at The University of Michigan.

BIOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL NAKASONE
   Michael Nakasone has served as Director of Bands at Pearl City, Hawaii, High School for 25 of his 34 years of teaching, having received his bachelor’s and master’s of music education degrees from the University of Hawaii. In 1992 Nakasone's band was awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Flag of Honor in recognition of excellence in concert band performance. Nakasone received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor award in 1995 and was chosen as Hawaii's State Teacher of the Year in 1996. That same year he received the United States Collegiate Wind Bands Citation of Honor Award, and in 1998 received the Hawaii Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.
   His band has performed at numerous conventions of musicians and music educators, and the Tournament of Roses Parade, The Blue-Gray All-Star Football Game; The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tokyo Ginza Parade.

ABOUT THE TSU SYMPHONY BAND
   The Troy State University Symphony Band, a concert ensemble of 80 players - most of whom are music majors— is conducted by Director of Bands Ralph Ford. The Symphony Band has performed at the national conventions of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Music Educator National Conference, the Women Band Directors International, the Alabama Bandmasters Association and is the featured band at the annual Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic. The band is open by audition only at the beginning of each semester.

ABOUT THE ARMY GROUND FORCES BAND
   The Army Ground Forces Band, called "The Musical Ambassadors of the American Combat Soldier," was organized as the Fourth Infantry Regiment Band on July 21, 1845 in New Orleans. Its heritage spans the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection and both World Wars. During the battle of Monterey, Mexico, the band captured and turned an artillery battery against the enemy. To commemorate this distinguished service, President Zachary Taylor authorized the band to wear red piping on the uniform, making it the only Army band to receive a combat distinction from the President of the United States. Having served in Alaska during World War II, the band was redesignated the 214th Army Band in 1944. The unit was reassigned as the Band for Headquarters Forces Command, Fort McPherson in 1973. The special designation "The Army Ground Forces Band" was conferred by Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. in 1985.