Kent Eshelman Receives Outstanding Professor Award

Dr. Kent Eshelman received an Outstanding Professor Award in teaching from Baylor University. Baylor's president Ken Starr presented him with a certificate and cash award at the spring commencement ceremony in May. Kent has taught tuba and euphonium at Baylor University since 2009, and earlier this year he earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.

New Hire: Robert Benton

Dr. Robert Benton has recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Low Brass and Music Theory at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and will begin serving in this role in August. At UNK, he will be responsible for teaching all three low brass instruments as well as aural skills and/or music theory. Dr. Benton is moving to Nebraska from Beijing, China, where he was Assistant Principal Euphonium with the Dunshan Symphonic Wind Orchestra. Prior to his time in China, he taught low brass and theory at the University of Windsor (Canada) and Adrian College (Michigan). Dr. Benton is looking forward to the new position, where he will continue his active performance and research agenda, dealing with twentieth-century vocalises and an energetic new-works commissioning program. Dr. Benton received his B.M. from Oakland University, his M.M. from Michigan State University, and his D.M.A. from the University of Michigan. His primary educational influences are Ken Kroesche, Steven Mead, Phil Sinder, and Fritz Kaenzig.

New Hire: Robin Sisk

Robin Sisk will be the Visiting Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Missouri Southern State University beginning in Fall 2015. Her duties will include teaching tuba and euphonium, advising, teaching music appreciation, serving on the marching band staff, and collaborating with K-12 public schools. Prior to her appointment at MSSU, Robin served as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Seminole State College, and Daytona State College. As a performer, she has held the positions of Principal E-flat Bass with the Brass Band of Central Florida and Principal Tuba of the Gainesville Orchestra, is a founding member of the world's first stilt-walking Dixieland band, Fleur de Beat, and is on-call as a tubist for the Magic Kingdom's Main Street Philharmonic. An active freelancer, she has also performed most notably with the Jacksonville Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic, Ocala Symphony, Sarasota Ballet, Bach Festival Orchestra of Winter Park, Band Bajha Brass, at theme parks including Walt Disney World and Legoland FL, and at several international and regional instrumental conferences. Originally from Pittsburgh, Robin holds a B.M. in Music Education from West Virginia University and an M.M. from the University of South Florida. She is currently completing the final stages of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Hartt School. Her primary teachers include Jay Hunsberger, Scott Mendoker, David McCollum, and Les Dean, Sr.

New Hire: Beth Wiese

Beth Wiese has accepted the position of Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her responsibilities include teaching tuba and euphonium students and playing in the faculty brass quintet. Beth has most recently been a fellow of the New World Symphony and has performed with groups including the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra (Denmark), Macao Orchestra, Korean Broadcasting Symphony, and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She has also been a winner of the Porcia International Brass Competition (Italy), Musicians Club of Women Competition (Chicago), Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Competition, and has participated in festivals including Tanglewood, National Repertory Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, and National Orchestral Institute.

Results: 2015 Humboldt State University Brass Chamber Music Composition Contest

Tony Clements, Director of the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop, announced the 2015 Composition Contest winners on Monday, May 11, 2015.

Dr. Jan Bach, of DeKalb, IL, won the grand prize of US$2000 for his octet “Derivatives.” There were two second prize winners: Zachary Smith, of Fredericksburg, VA, for “Chelsea Suite,” and Jukka Viitasaari, of Tampere, Finland, for “Lord of the Sauna.” Each second-prize winner will receive US$750. Charlie Porter, of Eastsound, WA, received Honorable Mention recognition for “Octet.”

The contest focused on original 8-10 minute works for brass octet. All qualifying entries were played and evaluated by the workshop coaching staff using a blind audition process. Amateur musicians will perform this year’s contest submissions in a workshop format during the July 2015 Brass Chamber Music Workshop at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif.

“We have once again expanded our library with wonderful music,” said Clements. “I am especially excited by the strong response of composers to our call to create new music for brass ensembles. Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to all the fine composers who submitted works.”

The Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop is held each summer in two one-week sessions. 2015 sessions are scheduled for July 19-July 25 and July 26-August 1. Activities include: daily chamber ensemble rehearsals coached by some of the West Coast’s finest brass musicians; daily performances by participants; brass choir reading sessions; abundant freelance playing time; special-interest sessions on brass-related topics; and spectacular California North Coast scenery.

For further information regarding the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop or the Composition Contest visit http://www.humboldt.edu/brass/

New Hire: Stephen Allen

Dr. Stephen Allen has accepted the position of Adjunct Professor of Euphonium and Musical Director of the Montclair State University Brass Band at Montclair State University. His duties there will include teaching the euphonium studio and developing the new brass band course which is part of the Montclair curriculum. In addition, he will continue serving as a Full Professor of Music at Rider University as a musicologist. Dr. Allen won national awards on the euphonium in the UK during his youth. He studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and Oxford University and is considered a world authority on Benjamin Britten and brass bands. He founded the national award-winning Princeton Brass Band and is Musical Director of the Lancaster British Brass Band. He was Professor of Euphonium at Rutgers University from 2007 until he accepted this new position at Montclair. He is currently a two-term president of the North American Brass Band Association.

New Hire: Aaron Tindall

Dr. Aaron Tindall, low brass instructor and performing artist for the Meinl Weston and Besson brands, has accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Practice of Tuba and Euphonium at University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Dr. Tindall will leave his current position as professor of Tuba at Ithaca College where he has hosted two successful regional tuba euphonium conferences during his four-year tenure. While he will miss his students and colleagues there, Aaron is excited not only for this new chapter in his career, but also for his family as both he and his wife have extensive ties in the state of Florida.