The Owls were a working, professional band. In addition to performing at school functions for homecoming, proms, alumni events and other dances. The Owls toured Europe every year from 1927-1939 and even a tour of Japan in 1936. The band also performed opposite sets to legendary bands of Duke Ellington and Gene Krupa. It was not uncommon for the Owls to receive praise from the other bands of their level of musicianship and performance. The band also performed at Coney Island, Indiana Roof in Indianapolis, Topper Ballroom in Cincinnati, Lakeside in Dayton, Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, and Oberlin. The Owls influence even went outside the musical realm. Many members of the Owls went on to become doctors, lawyers and businessmen. A recent obituary offers some interesting facts about Dr. Dominick Consolo, past leader of the Owls and jazz trumpeter. He later went on to become an English professor at Denison University. He was also the inspiration behind the lead character in the 1989 major motion picture “Dead Poets Society”, as played by the late Robin Williams. It tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students
through his teaching of poetry. It is very clear the members of the Campus Owls had a great impact on the world and influence on the lives they touched. In 1992, the Campus Owls reunion was established. Over 60 players came from all over the country to perform for Alumni Weekend and Freshman Orientation. The reunions have taken place every year since. Many of the original players have passed on and the legacy has continued through a collaboration of musicians from the Miami University Jazz Ensemble, professors, and alumni. The Campus Owls Tribute Band can be heard playing the songs of the Owls every June during alumni weekend at Miami University, Oxford Ohio. Jon Arnold is the leader of the Miami University Campus Owls Tribute Band and director of Bands at Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio. Jon was recently named President-elect of the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio and is a Jupiter XO Trumpet Educator/Performing artist. Jon also enjoys spending time with his family and the study of local music history. Jon is a member of OMEA, JECO, JEN, ITG, MENC and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
NG HT SI G I NG SI
contest pieces for l OMEA sight-singing tua ac the e as rch pu ality compositions Now you can M. Shearer. These qu nforms to OMEA C. . Dr by ed os mp co 2000 and later, e. The music co e skill-building practic s are truly are perfect for intensiv p, and skill levels. What’s more, these piece guidelines for age, grou used for concer t performances. be asure musical and can even te and include all me lete ria op pr ap e iag rb ve , and here for a comp Texts are age, meter rkings. Ever ything is t-division rating with ma n sio es pr ex d an nts to a firs numbers rience. Take your stude musical learning expe ositions available! the finest practice comp contest music tion choral sight-reading cia so As on ati uc Ed The Ohio Music m ailable for purchase fro for 2000 and later is av CMS PUBLICATIONS
3136 Englewood Dr. 4 Silver Lake, OH, 4422 e: To order, please click her
www.cmspublications.com
APRIL/MAY 2016
93