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UpClose: Barry Spanier
Mike Lawson | August 14, 2007From a Vision to a Band
From a seed to a sapling, and a sapling to a tree. A strong music program begins with a vision. This idea must be articulated and nurtured, so it can lay roots and extend. As the environment takes notice of the positive nature of this aim - the power of unity and determination, the exhilaration of performance - it gains in strength, numbers and support.
The vision at Tulane University was sown by students. In 2003, after 30 years without a marching ensemble, a student-run pep band decided to march for homecoming, with support from the few emeritus alumni who recalled a Tulane marching band long extinct. The enthusiasm of this student group inspired administration to bring in a music director who could rekindle Tulane's dormant marching tradition.
Enter Barry Spanier, a man who has fielded marching bands across two Olympic games, a World Expo, and rebuilt the NYU Orchestra. In a recent SBO interview, Barry spoke of the progression leading up to his current position as Tulane's director of bands and the challenges and joys of sowing musical seeds.
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Bringing Passion to Work
SBO Staff | July 6, 2007The choral department at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio has garnered awards and accolades to rival any program in the country. But one recognition that longtime director David Bell received this past May was truly remarkable. Every spring, Winton Woods holds an awards ceremony to honor the top 16 scholars in the graduating […] Read More... -
Christmas in July
SBO Staff | July 6, 2007Here are a few holiday favorites (and some you may not know). Believe it or not, it is already time to plan your next holiday concert. Here are some ideas for chorals for worship and/or school use. Happy Holidays!– Drew Collins, forum editor SATB Read More... -
So You’re Going on the Road!
SBO Staff | July 6, 2007Tours with American high school bands, choirs, and orchestras are about as American as apple pie. However, before jumping onto that bus or plane, you want to make sure you know what you are doing. Getting StartedThe first step is to figure out exactly where you want to go and what you hope to accomplish. […] Read More... -
Dr. Dave Fullmer: Building Bridges Through Music Ed
Mike Lawson | June 21, 2007Timpview High School in Provo, Utah merits the notoriety it has received for musical excellence, having achieved superior ratings at state festivals for each the symphonic band, marching band, jazz ensemble, and percussion ensemble going on 18 consecutive years.
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ACDA Convention Miami Heat
SBO Staff | May 7, 2007The 2007 ACDA National Convention, held in Miami from March 7 – 10, saw choral musicians and educators from across the country gather to share ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate the culture of vocal music. Attendees enjoyed a program that included performances by eminent choirs and clinics led by distinguished scholars and industry […] Read More... -
2007, April/May
SBO Staff | May 7, 2007Green Mountain Opera Festival’s 2007 SeasonThe Green Mountain Opera Festival will return to Vermont in June, 2007 for a three-week sojourn in the Green Mountains. The festival will highlight two fully staged performances of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at the Barre Opera House in Barre, Vermont, and a series of events and concerts in the scenic […] Read More... -
2007 Director’s Resource Guide
SBO Staff | May 7, 2007The CD Director�s Resource Guide is a reference tool designed to guide our readership towards the organizations, companies, and institutions that provide the services and products which choral directors need and use � from music camps, festivals, and fundraising product providers to music publishers, software developers, tour groups, trade organizations and much more. In this […] Read More... -
Will Breytspraak: Giving a Kid a Chance
SBO Staff | April 10, 2007The best way to learn is often by doing and hands-on experience can provide insight that might never come from simply being taught. The opportunity to get your feet wet doing something you love, however, can be hard to come by. For Will Breytspraak, the big break came as a high school senior when his […] Read More... -
Traveling with your Choral Program
SBO Staff | April 10, 2007Taking a choral group on the road can be a wonderfully enriching experience. Travel can promote bonding, foster trust, expand horizons, and give students a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, while simultaneously providing motivation for high musical achievement and unique educational opportunities. On the other hand, touring can also be an organizational nightmare – successful trips require immense […] Read More... -
The Music: Poetry, and Influence of Japan
SBO Staff | April 10, 2007From time to time, this forum has been dedicated to the music of cultures outside our traditional scope. The calm power of Russian liturgical anthems, rhythmic energy of African cultures, and the musics of various European countries are a good start, but all fit neatly within our comfort zones. In this case, I set out to explore the music, poetry and influences of a culture not especially known for ensemble singing. For this reason, choral music of Japan is a rarity. But it is often the rarest gems that have the greatest capacity for beauty�in the right light. So, I hope this column will shed some light on this little explored facet of our art. Read More... -
A Chance to Lead
SBO Staff | April 10, 2007Our feature interview this month with Will Breytspraak, choral director at Pebblebrook High School and the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts in Mableton, Ga., highlights an important issue within our field: how to provide students with an opportunity to conduct or lead an ensemble. Breytspraak notes, “The best way to learn […] Read More...
