Klarinet Archive - Posting 000506.txt from 1997/03

From: Nathaniel F Johnson <clarinat@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: ATTENTION BAND DIRECTORS!!
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 1997 04:04:11 -0500

On Fri, 14 Mar 1997 18:14:18 -0800 Kathi A <kathi@-----.COM>
writes:
>Hello. I have two questions for ANY and ALL of the band directors (if
>any)
>that are subscribed to this list. Why did you decide to teach band? Do
>you
>plan to do that until you retire? Thank you so much for sharing.
> --<-{= Kathi A =}->--
>

I am currently working on my Master's degree in wind (band) conducting,
with a Doctorate to follow immediately. I've had a love of conducting
for many years, and for a lot of my life I've known that I wanted to be a
conductor. (Actually I remember being backstage at a performance of the
Lexington Philharmonic, of which both of my parents were members, when I
was about 4 years old, and conducting into a service eleveator. I'm sure
that I was just waving my arms, but when the piece was over and I turned
around to walk away, they handful of adults who were also backstage
applauded me. Dad, do you remember this? (He's on the list too.)) I
was very fortunate to get a lot of experience conducting while I was
getting my Bachelor's in clarinet. I worked with band, orchestra, and
choir. In answer to your question, I chose band conducting as my area of
graduate study because I wanted to study with Dr. Ken Singleton, who is
the Director of Bands here. He is the most knowledgable conductor I have
ever encountered. He knows EVERYTHING. I do plan on conducting (and
playing when I can) until I retire, but not exclusively band. I love all
three idioms, and once you get to a certain level, opportunities to do
the other two from time to time will present themselves. Just my $.02.

Nathaniel Johnson
Conductor / Clarinettist
All-Around Good Guy
University of Northern Colorado
clarinat@-----.com