2009 Virginia Tech Band Directors Institute

Sunday, July 12–Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2009 Virginia Tech Band Directors Institute & Conducting Workshop! Watch this space for information about 2010 soon!

discover. experience. connect.

The Virginia Tech Department of Music is pleased to announce the 2009 Virginia Tech Band Directors Institute & Conducting Workshop, a three-day symposium designed for wind band teachers of all levels.

discover.

Participate in sessions covering a wide range of topics, from repertory and programming to rehearsal techniques, interpretation, and program building. Two reading sessions will introduce new works for band, as well as chosen and forgotten gems.

experience.

You may choose to conduct selected repertory for both full band and chamber ensembles and receive coaching and video feedback from the clinicians. Limited spots are available on a first come, first served basis.

connect.

Meet and interact with colleagues from around the state and region within a relaxed and supportive environment and the beautiful summer weather of Blacksburg.

Faculty

John L. Whitwell

John L. Whitwell is director of bands emeritus at Michigan State University, where he served as director of bands, conductor of the Wind Symphony, professor of music, chair of the conducting area, and guided the graduate degree programs in wind conducting prior to his retirement in 2006. Previously Whitwell held positions at Stephen F. Austin State University and Abilene Christian University. He also taught in the public schools of Michigan as band director at Ann Arbor Huron and Northwest Jackson High Schools.

His bands have performed for the College Band Directors National Association convention, Texas Music Educators Association clinic-convention, Midwest Clinic, and Midwestern Conference on Vocal and Instrumental Music. He is a member of the board of directors of the Midwest Clinic, past-president of the Big Ten Band Directors Association, and past-president of the North Central division of the College Band Directors National Association.

Whitwell maintains an active schedule and is in great demand as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and abroad. He is extremely active in the commissioning of new music and has participated in commissioning projects with dozens of major composers.

Travis J. Cross

Travis J. Cross is an assistant professor of music at Virginia Tech, where he conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting. He completed doctoral coursework at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied with Mallory Thompson. He previously earned the bachelor of music degree cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and the master of music degree in conducting from Northwestern.

Cross taught for four years at Edina (Minnesota) High School, where he conducted two concert bands and oversaw the marching band program. In 2004, he was selected to participate in the inaugural Young Conductor/Mentor Project sponsored by the National Band Association. The same year he received the Distinguished Young Band Director Award from the American School Band Directors Association of Minnesota. From 2001–2003, Cross served a two-year term as the recent graduate on the St. Olaf College Board of Regents. In 2006, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the United States Department of Education.

A graduate of Ankeny (Iowa) High School, Cross has served as staff arranger for the Ankeny Marching Hawks from 1995–2002, during which time the band earned top honors at contests in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In 1996, he was named Collegiate Composer of the Year by the Minnesota Music Educators Association. Cross contributed a chapter to volume four of Composers on Composing for Band, available from GIA Publications. His original works and arrangements for band, choir, and orchestra are published by Boosey & Hawkes, Daehn Publications, and Theodore Music. He has appeared as a guest conductor, composer, and clinician in several states and at the Midwest Clinic and will lead honor bands in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Virginia during the 2008–2009 season.

Denton D. Stokes

Denton D. Stokes has served as director of bands and music department chairman at James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia, since August 1998. Under his direction, the Robinson Symphonic Band has twice performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association conference and has earned "Virginia Honor Band" citations yearly. The Robinson Symphonic Band is one of the only schools in the United States to receive the prestigious Sudler Flag of Honor twice.

Elected to the American Bandmasters Association in 2005, Stokes serves on the Sudler Flag selection committee of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the NBA Revelli composition committee. His membership on the VMEA executive board has included serving as instrumental chairman of VBODA districts eleven and twelve. He currently serves as past-president of VBODA.

David McKee

David McKee is in his twenty-third year at Virginia Tech, where he is director of The Marching Virginians. A native of Lynchburg, he received his B.M.E. from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in 1976 and his M.A.Ed. from Virginia Tech in 1986. He has done additional graduate study at Florida State University.

Under his direction, The Marching Virginians have performed throughout the nation for football games, parades, and other activities, sharing performances with bands from the University of Texas, Florida State University, and most recently with the University of Cincinnati at the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami. In addition to a demanding schedule of performances throughout the football season, The Marching Virginians are the model of Ut Prosim, serving the university community through twelve Hokies for the Hungry canned food drives, two collaborative hurricane relief trips to New Orleans with the YMCA Student Programs at Virginia Tech, and many performances and presentations for public school students in the region. The Marching Virginians recently embarked on a unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley. Over the past decade, the Marching Virginians Alumni Association has developed into an exceptional source of networking and funding for the Marching Virginians, providing over half a million dollars of support to the band.

In addition to directing The Marching Virginians, McKee conducts the Symphony Band. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and advocate for music education in the public schools. At the 2007 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference in Norfolk, he served as a percussionist, orator, and conductor within the span of 48 hours. In 2005, Mr. McKee was awarded a Certificate of Teaching Excellence by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He is a member of the ACC Band Directors Association, past-president of the Big East Band Directors Association, and has served on the Athletic Band Advisory Committee of the College Band Directors National Association.