Invitational Band Festival

Friday, March 1, 2019

California State University East Bay is proud to present the 28th Annual Invitational Band Festival (IBF) on Friday, March 1, 2019 in the CSUEB University Theatre. A high quality and unique festival experience for your high school students, the IBF is a valuable educational event for both participants and observers. This year's guest conductor is Rodney Winther, Professor Emeritus of Music and retired Director of Wind Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

The IBF is a selective festival – only ​a few bands will be invited to participate. This allows for each ensemble to get a generous amount of performance time, clinic time, and will enable each group to hear the other performing ensembles that day.

Each participating band will perform up to 20 minutes of music. Each band will receive recorded comments on their pieces, but following their performance on stage, will also participate in a clinic with Professor Winther.

New interactive sessions for students will be offered in the afternoon, on musical ​topics ​ranging from conducting ​to ​composition​ and​ ​even smaller performing ensemble​s. During this time, band directors will have the opportunity to engage in a professional development session with Professor Winther. The day will conclude with a concert by the CSUEB Wind Symphony.

Registration forms are electronic and should be submitted by the band director no later than Friday, November 2, 2018.

In addition, directors are asked to submit a recording of their current ensemble showcasing at least two (2) contrasting selections. Please send recordings to mrc@csueastbay.edu either as an email attachment or an electronic link (Google Drive / Dropbox, etc.), no later than November 2, 2018.

The fee for each participating band is $250. Payment of festival fees MUST be received by Friday, December 7, 2018.


For more information, contact:
Dr. Danielle Gaudry
Director of Bands
danielle.gaudry@csueastbay.edu
(510) 885-3285

Schedule

Time Activity
7:30 a.m. Bands arrive
8:00 a.m. Bands perform in the CSUEB Theatre and receive clinic with Prof. Winther on stage
12:00 p.m. Lunch break
1:15 p.m. Interactive sessions for students / Professional development for directors with Prof. Winther
2:30 p.m. CSUEB Wind Symphony performs for everyone in Theatre
3:15 p.m. Concert concludes, end of IBF

2019 Guest Conductor & Adjudicator: Rodney WintherRodney Winther

Rodney Winther is Professor Emeritus of Music and recently retired after fourteen years (1997-2011) as Director of Wind Studies and Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His duties at CCM included conducting the Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds and the CCM Chamber Players, while also teaching Masters and Doctoral students in Wind Conducting. In 2014, he was chosen to be a Fulbright Scholar to Taiwan, where he was the resident conductor of the Shieh Chien University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and Visiting Professor of Conducting. Mr. Winther’s frequent appearances as guest conductor and clinician have taken him across the United States and abroad, including England, Ireland, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Venezuela and Canada.

He has worked with many of the world’s finest wind bands and ensembles, including the Eastman Wind Ensemble, eighthblackbird, Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra, Summit Brass, The U.S. Navy Band, The U.S. Army Band, The U.S. Naval Academy Band, Taiwan Wind Ensemble, Taipei Sirens Symphonic Winds, Kent Youth Wind Orchestra (England), World Youth Wind Symphony (Interlochen), the Taller para Bandas del Tachira (Venezuela) and most recently the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.

His conducting workshops, both in the United States and abroad, have been critically acclaimed, helping young conductors around the world for the past forty years. Mr. Winther's conducting workshop in Taiwan is an annual event that began in 1997, and has helped to transform the face of wind conducting in that country. His workshops and concerts in Venezuela were recently recognized when he was awarded the Manuel Felipe Rugeles Medal of Honor and the Otorga Botón Honor al Mérito by the Governor of the State of Tachira.

He has been invited to conduct at many prestigious conventions, including the Midwest Clinic, the National MENC Convention, the National CDBNA Convention, the International WASBE Convention, and the BASBWE convention in England. His book - An Annotated Guide to Wind Chamber Music - has been hailed as a much needed and valuable resource in this ever-growing area. Both this book and his new edition of Ruth Gipps Seascape have been published by Warner Brothers Publications/Alfred Music as part of the Donald Hunsberger Wind Band Library. His reputation and experience recently resulted in his being elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

Invitational Band Festival 2019 Afternoon Session Descriptions

 

Diversifying  Drums – presented by Artie Storch

Rhythm provides the foundation of all music all over the world.  We will explore instruments from the Afro-Cuban and Brazilian traditions, and then mix in our western instruments.  Some proficiency on percussion is helpful but not required. Must bring focus and curiosity.

Maximum number of participants: 15

 

The Art of Brass Ensemble – presented by Dave Ridge 

Many individuals coming together to achieve something greater than themselves. That is the art of ensemble playing. We will listen to some of the greatest brass sections of all time and then we will play great brass ensemble works in order to discuss the basics of balance, intonation, articulation and interpretation. But mostly we will explore the art of many voices becoming one in order to create a new and powerful voice. One sound. 

Maximum number of participants: no maximum 

 

Keyboard Band! Play Ensemble Music for Multiple Digital Keyboards – presented by Dr. Omri Shimron

Do you ever wish you could play keyboard with your friends – who also play keyboard? Wouldn’t it be fun to try out different sounds on a digital keyboard? Then this interactive session is for you! Come into Cal State East Bay’s state-of-the-art digital keyboard lab and practice making music with your peers. At the end of the session you’ll play a short ensemble piece for multiple keyboards, building on your band skills. Basic piano knowledge (treble and bass clefs) required.

Maximum number of participants: 16

 

African Drumming and Dance: Improving Performance through Movement presented by Toran Davenport

Get hands-on experience learning African drumming and dance! In this session, we will learn more about how movement and rhythm can improve the playing of our instruments, including woodwinds and brass. No previous experience with drumming required. 

Maximum number of participants: 25

 

Music Production Crash Course – presented by Dr. Inés Thiebaut

Ever wonder how your favorite performing artists produce music, make beats, or record an album? In this session, you will go through the process of making a beat or song from start to finish with professional audio production software. Through the use of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), you'll create music using prerecorded loops/sounds and virtual instruments; use effects to add atmosphere and realism; and add finishing touches to make your track broadcast-ready for public release.

Maximum number of participants: 24

 

A Whirlwind Trip Through Woodwind Chamber Music!— presented by Dr. Megumi Nomura

Come join us to read through chamber music while learning how to work well with others! As we read and play through a variety of repertoire, we will learn the basics of working as a small chamber group through ensemble communication, rehearsal etiquette, listening (blend and intonation), and balance. Woodwind and French horn players are welcome!

Maximum number of participants: no maximum

 

We Be Jammin’!!!!!! – presented by Dann Zinn

This is your chance to express your deepest musical thoughts all in your own way!  The workshop will focus on playing tunes and improvising  over them.  Come join members of the CSUEB jazz program for an afternoon of fun and creativity.  Bring your instrument and be prepared have fun and play!!

Maximum number of participants: 10

 

The World of the Podium - presented by Roberto Garcia-Leiva

We will be have a fun, fast-paced session learning the foundations of conducting and directly jumping in! Bring your instruments and voices and we're going to get a hands-on approach into the magical world of the podium. No baton required.

Maximum number of participants: no maximum

 

Get In The Groove – presented by Colin Hogan

Get hands on experience playing funk, soul, and other groove based music. Learn when to play a part and when to be free to improvise with style!

Maximum number of participants: 15

 

Unlock Your Inner Ear – presented by Matthew Gafney

If you play an instrument, there is a good chance you sometimes hear music playing in your head. Whether it’s your favorite tune on the radio, something you played in band, or something entirely made up! Have you ever wanted to play these ideas that swirl around in your mind? In this session, you will learn how to hear the notes in your mind, and bring them out on your instruments! In this session, we will explore the basics of ear training, how to recognize notes of a scale, and learn a song together without sheet music, entirely by ear. All instruments welcome!

Maximum number of participants: no maximum