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Ensembles
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Conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, The Middle
Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble is the premier
performing ensemble for wind, brass, and percussion students at
the university. Members are selected through audition each
semester and comprise the best musicians at MTSU. The ensemble
explores the vast range of the wind repertoire by utilizing a
flexible instrumentation approach where the repertoire dictates
the number of players for each piece. The ensemble is dedicated
to performing outstanding and challenging works of diverse
musical styles while furthering wind music of artistic and
historical significance. Performing three to five concerts each
semester, they also tour extensively throughout the region. The
Wind Ensemble is quickly becoming recognized as one of the
outstanding university ensembles in the country and abroad. They
have been invited to perform in Thailand, Korea, Japan, and
several European countries. Membership is open to all MTSU
students and is based upon successful audition. |
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Conducted by Mr. Craig Cornish, The Middle
Tennessee State University Symphonic Band has the distinction of
being the band program's top symphonic ensemble. Its select
mission is to provide instrumentalists with an opportunity to
demonstrate and develop the techniques and musical instincts
appropriate to a symphonic setting. With an emphasis on the
distinctive characteristics of the large wind and percussion
ensemble, the symphonic band's repertoire is culled from the
rich resources of the wind band tradition. The MTSU Symphonic
Band fosters the highest performance standards while offering
its members an opportunity to expand their technical,
intellectual, and musical horizons. The ensemble seeks to
broaden performance and pedagogical skills through the
programming of exemplary wind band literature while fostering an
interest in the band as an integral part of the American musical
scene. Membership is open to all MTSU students and placement is
based on auditions held each semester. |
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The marching band at MTSU, the Band of Blue,
is directed by Associate Director of Bands, Craig Cornish, and
presents original half-time shows at all home football games and
selected out-of-town games. Membership is open to any university
student who can display good marching techniques and a
fundamental proficiency on an instrument used in the marching
band. Guard, majorettes, and dance team members are accepted by
audition. |
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The Middle Tennessee State University Chamber
Winds, conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, Director of Bands, is a
highly select group of musicians within the McLean School of
Music dedicated to the study and performance of wind literature
from the Renaissance to the latest compositions. The ensemble
was founded in 2003 as an outgrowth of The MTSU Wind Ensemble.
Seating is rotated from piece-to-piece, and instrumentation
varies, giving each composition a realization best representing
each composer's intent. Membership is open to all MTSU students
and is based upon successful audition. |
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The MTSU Concert Band is the largest concert
ensemble in the instrumental program. With over 80 students
enrolled, the concert band is available for all interested
students who want to continue to enhance their musical outlet
without having the pressures of a rigorous concert schedule or
audition process. The group meets only during the spring
semester on Monday evenings and they perform one concert at the
end of the semester. Participation does not require an audition.
Membership consists of students from across the campus as well
as instrumental music education majors who are interested in
playing secondary instruments. The Concert Band has the
distinction of being conducted by all the band program
conductors including graduate students who have been accepted
into the MFA in conducting program. |
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The basketball games at MTSU would not be the
same without the Pep Band. The band plays plays at every home
game for both men's and women's teams. Staying current with the
times, the pep band has expanded its literature in the last
couple of years. New tunes such as, "Flashlight" and "Give up
the Funk." together with popular tunes "Livin' La Vida Loca" and
"Mambo #5" are true crowd pleasers. Membership is open to all
MTSU students through audition. |
Faculty/Staff
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Dr. Reed Thomas
Dr. Reed Thomas is the Director of Bands and a full Professor of
Music and conducting at Middle Tennessee State University. His
responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and
University Chamber Winds, teaching undergraduate courses in
conducting and instrumental methods, graduate courses in
conducting and wind and orchestral repertoire, and he guides all
aspects of MTSU band program. He is the founding conductor of
the Three Rivers Wind Symphony, a professional group of wind and
percussion players from Northeast Indiana and was the Conductor
of the Littleton Chamber Winds in Littleton, Colorado from
1997-99. Additionally, Dr. Thomas has been a guest conductor for
the Littleton Symphony, the Ft. Wayne Community Orchestra, and
several Youth Symphonies in Indiana, Colorado, and Utah.
Dr. Thomas is an active conductor and clinician who has received
praise and critical acclaim for his artistic interpretations,
thorough preparation, and innovative programming. His groups
have been invited to perform at venues throughout the United
States, China, and South Korea. Beginning in 2002, Dr. Thomas
began his relationship with bands from Asia and has been invited
as a guest conductor and lecturer by the Korean Band
Association, the Macau Band Directors Association, the Hong Kong
Band Directors Association and the Hong Kong Music Office. In
the summer of 2005, the MTSU Wind Ensemble was invited and
performed at the Jeju International Band Festival in South Korea
and in several cities in South Korea. In 2007, this group has
been invited and is scheduled to perform in Hong Kong, Macau,
and China.
Dr. Thomas is an avid supporter of new music, commissioning over
10 compositions since 2003. He has received critical acclaim
from composers such as Shafer Mahoney, Peter Fischer, Jamie
Simmons, Robert Bradshaw, and from performers such as Steve
Houghton and Eddie Daniels for his interpretive conducting.
A native of Colorado, Dr. Thomas received his Ph.D. in Music
with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Minnesota
and both his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Music Education
from the University of Utah. He has studied with such noted
conductors as Craig Kirchhoff, John Whitwell, Donald Schleicher,
and Loel Hepworth and has studied in master classes with
Frederick Fennell, Alan McMurray, Tim Salzman, and Mallory
Thompson. He is also an active performer most recently playing
clarinet and bass clarinet with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He
is retired from the US Army National Guard where he served for
over 20 years as a conductor, clarinet, and saxophone player.
Prior to his appointment at MTSU, Dr. Thomas held positions as
the Director of Instrumental Studies at Indiana-Purdue
University Ft. Wayne in Indiana and as the Director of Bands at
Adams State College in Colorado and taught at two public high
schools in Utah. He is a member of the College Band Directors
National Association, the National Band Association, the
Conductors Guild, Music Educators National Conference, Middle
Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Pi Kappa
Lambda, and Kappa Kappa Psi. |
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Mr. Craig Cornish
Craig S. Cornish is the Associate Director of Bands and Director
of the Band of Blue Marching Band at Middle Tennessee State
University. His responsibilities include serving as conductor of
the MTSU Symphonic Band, coordinator of the athletic bands, and
teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education.
Prior to coming to Murfreesboro, Cornish held a similar position
at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The UNL Cornhusker
Marching Band was seen by millions of viewers and spectators in
the 1998 Holiday Bowl, the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, the 2000 Alamo
Bowl, and the 2001 Tournament of Roses and Parade. The
University of Nebraska Symphonic Band performed for the 2000
N.S.B.A. Convention. He was honored for his efforts at Nebraska
as a four-time recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to
Students Award.
Before joining the faculty at Nebraska, Cornish spent sixteen
years in Kentucky directing high school bands at LaRue County
High School, North Hardin High School, and at Paul Laurence
Dunbar High School. His high school bands have received many
honors and awards, including four Kentucky Music Educators State
Marching Band Championships, three Contest of Champions Grand
Championships, consecutive superior ratings at district and
state concert band festivals, two invitations to perform at the
Kentucky Music Educators In-Service Conference, and the 1996
Sudler Trophy for high school marching bands. A highlight of
Professor Cornish’s career came with an invitation for his North
Hardin High School Symphonic Band to perform at the Mid-West
International Band and Orchestra Clinic, recognizing the North
Hardin band as one of the premier high school concert ensembles
in the United States.
Holding his undergraduate and graduate music education degrees
from the University of Kentucky, Cornish is a member of the
National Band Association, the Music Educators National
Conference, the Tennessee Music Educators Association, Phi Beta
Mu, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa
Lambda. Honors awarded to Cornish include four National Band
Association Citations of Merit for Marching Excellence, four
National Band Association Certificates of Merit for Outstanding
Achievement in Concert Band, three selections to Who’s Who of
American Teachers, the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra
Clinic Medal of Honor, the 1986 Hardin County Teacher of the
Year Award, the 1988 Kentucky Music Educators Association’s
District Music Teacher of the Year Award, and the 1996 Phi Beta
Mu Kentucky Bandmaster of the Year Award. He is a professional
marching band show designer, having written over 250
award-winning marching shows during a twenty-five year career.
He is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the
United States. |
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Jennifer Stembridge
Jennifer Stembridge is the University Bands Coordinator and
began her career with the Middle Tennessee State University
School of Music in 1995. Her primary responsibilities include
managing the band budgets, facilitating travel for the Band of
Blue, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band, as well as coordinating
the annual Contest of Champions Marching Band Competition and
the Tennessee Wind Band Conference. Recently Jennifer has also
taken on the role of graphic designer where she produces all of
the band area concert programs and recruiting materials.
Prior to coming to MTSU, Jennifer was an Assistant Vice
President for Bank of America where she taught sales and
management classes. She also spent several years in the retail
banking division. While at Bank of America, Jennifer received a
total of six Exceptional Performance Awards for her design and
delivery of training materials, produced two videos, and
received two Service Excellence Awards for providing outstanding
customer service.
Jennifer received her associate’s degree in business
administration from Sierra College and is currently pursuing a
bachelor’s degree from MTSU in university studies. She is also a
certified paralegal. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her
husband, two sons, and a menagerie of animals on their farm in
Woodbury, Tennessee. |
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Meghan Ryan
Meghan Ryan is the newly appointed band secretary and librarian
for the MTSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Chamber Winds.
Her responsibilities include assisting with daily operations of
the band office, distribution and maintenance of the music,
interacting with perspective students, and assisting the Band
Programs Coordinator.
A native of Minnesota, Meghan received her bachelor’s degree in
music performance with an emphasis on bassoon from Concordia
College, Moorhead, MN in 2004. While at Concordia she maintained
the orchestra library, was involved in many ensembles, and
frequently performed with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony on bassoon
and contrabassoon. In May 2007 she graduated from MTSU with her
master of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in bassoon
performance.
As an active musician, she has performed in masterclasses with
Arthur Weisberg, Melissa Mackey, Charles Ullrey, Russell
Peterson, and Maya Stone, and has studied bassoon with Jeff
Lyman, Charles UIllrey, James McKay, Norbert Nielubowski, Kerry
Camden, and Cedric Coleman. She has toured Europe and East Asia
with various ensembles and performed in the premiere of René
Clausen’s Memorial for the ACDA National Convention in Riverside
Cathedral and Lincoln Center, NY.
While completing her graduate work at MTSU, Ms. Ryan performed
with the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and Monteverdi Ensemble
as well as in the orchestral pit for the MTSU operas and Messiah
concerts. She is a member of the International Double Reed
Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. |
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