2022 Terry Austin Retirement Program

Virginia Commonwealth University Depar tment of Music

well done!

A Tribute to Terry Austin June 11, 2022 – 7:00 p.m. | Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall

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program pro gram Saiai No Sensei...............................................................................................Gary Gilroy

(b. 1958) Terry Austin, Conductor Terry Takes a Walk..................................................................................Bruce Broughton (b. 1945) World Premiere Jay Gephart, Conductor Traveler....................................................................................................David Maslanka (1943-2017) Terry Austin, Conductor Each Life Converges...................................................................................Peter Meechan (b. 1980) World Premiere Ray Cramer, Conductor Bookmarks from Japan...................................................................................Julie Giroux (b. 1961) Terry Austin, Conductor Fantasia and Fugue in C minor.......................................................J. S. Bach / Topolewski (1685-1750) Terry Austin, Conductor Fengshen, The Return Home...........................................................................Gordy Haab (b. 1976) World Premiere Matthew McCutchen, Conductor Ancient and Honorable Artillery............................................................John Phillip Sousa (1854-1932) Terry Austin, Conductor

This evening’s speakers are: John Guthmiller, Linda Johnston, Charles West

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biography Terry has long been an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and in addition to his work at VCU has been an influential force in bands throughout Richmond and Virginia. He founded and conducts the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble, an ensemble of the finest high school musicians in the Richmond metropolitan area, and the Commonwealth Winds, an ensemble comprised of Richmond-area teachers and professional performers. He also serves as the co-conductor of the Virginia Wind Symphony in Norfolk.

TERRY AUSTIN earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Hawaii, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his teaching career in Southmont Jr./Sr. High School in Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1974 and his first collegiate job was at the University of Missouri, St. Louis where he taught from 1984-1986.

In 1986 (36 years ago!!!) he moved to Richmond to become the fourth Director of Bands in VCU’s history. At VCU he oversaw all aspects of the band program and taught courses in conducting and music education.

Under his leadership VCU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at many prestigious conferences including those held by the American Bandmasters Association, MENC, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Virginia Music Educators Association. In addition, he has served as the Chair of the Department of Music for the past four years.

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His national reputation was enhanced by his prestigious membership in the American Bandmasters Association (for which he served as the 78th president), his 25 years of service as the Chair of the National Band Association/ William D. Revelli Band Composition Contest, and his service as the Chair of the Bandworld/ John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor.

In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, a past-board member of the National Band Association, and the Southern Division of The National Association for Music Education, and past-president of the Virginia Music Educators Association.

He is a regular guest conductor of the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble and a Guest Professor of the Center of General Education of Guangdong University of Technology in Guangzhou, China.

In 2005 Dr. Austin received the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Distinguished Achievement Award of Excellence. He is a scholar and a gentleman, and his influence on the thousands of students that have played under his baton remains an indelible part of their education and character.

program notes WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE the remarkable career and legacy of Terry Austin. The band before you is comprised of students of Dr. Austin’s from his first band at VCU all the way to recent graduates. Many have traveled great distances to be here. They have lovingly put this concert together with only two rehearsals as a sign of appreciation for their teacher, mentor, and friend. The three conductors are current or retired college band directors who have a unique relationship with Dr. Austin. Ray Cramer was Terry’s teacher at Indiana University and has remained a close friend and mentor ever since. Jay Gephart was a tubist in Terry’s very first band in Southmont Jr. High and is now the Director of Bands at Purdue University. Matthew McCutchen earned his Master’s Degree at VCU in 2000, and Terry was his Major professor. Matt is now the Director of Bands at the University of South Florida.

Each piece on the concert has a special connection to Terry. The concert opens with a piece that was commissioned in his honor by a former student (Emily Oyan). The three works led by the guest conductors were written for this occasion by Terry’s friends (Broughton and Meechan) and a former student (Haab) who joyfully agreed to the commissions the moment they were contacted.

Terry will be hearing these for the first time tonight.

The remaining pieces were selected by Terry because they elicit special memories of his years at VCU. Fantasia and Fugue is a nod to his dear friend Dennis Zeisler who loved Bach. Terry has always enjoyed David Maslanka’s music and chose Traveler because he and Tracia intend to spend his retirement traveling as widely as possible. Bookmarks from Japan was written for the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble that he often conducted.

Ancient and Honorable Artillery has “Auld Lang Syne” in the trio, thus making it an ideal way to end a retirement concert.

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personnel * Dates denote years in the VCU Bands PICCOLO Heidi Thurmond

1991 – 1995

FLUTE Kathleen Winters Amanda Peters Anamarie Diaz Elizabeth McHatton Sandra Linette

2004 1998 2012 2000 2000

OBOE James Mullins Todd Worsham – EH Jennifer Bishop

1989 – 1993 2006 – 2010 1996 – 1998

BASSOON Yvonne Daye Lindsay Tupper Colin Mannes

2007 – 2012 1994 – 1996 2006 – 2010

B CLARINET Julianna Evans 1993 Clare Gellene 2008 Nathan Frost 2013 Ashley Clarke 2007 Susie Kautzmann Stump 1988 Rebecca Anderson 2001 Kevin Paxton 2010 Kate McConchie 2009 Whitney Farrior 2006 Lauren Slagle 2010 2018 Nicolas Leonard 2013 BASS CLARINET Lewis Vaden Jonathan Carr Nicole Kasperek

– – – – –

2008 2002 2015 2003 2003

– – – –

1997 2012 2017 2011

– – – – – – – –

1992 2003 2015 2013 2010 2014/ 2019 2015

2015 – 2019 2011 – 2015 2004 – 2008

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SAXOPHONE Roland D Dowdy III (Dusty) David Hood John Sarvay Seth Taft

1989 2003 1993 2009

– – – –

1993 2005 1997 2013

TRUMPET Jared Broussard Allyson Keyser Steven Cunningham Taylor Barnett John Mlynczak Heath Losick Marcus Grant Steve Fenick Mitchell Reed

2006 2002 2007 1998 2001 1990 2010 2003 2006

– – – – – – – – –

2008 2006 2011 2001 2005 1993 2013 2004 2010

HORN Kevin Newton Tiffany Hitz Brianna Sklute Gatch Alexandra Mattson Roxanne O’Brien Barbara Hite Rebecca Castellani Jesse Castellani

2011 1992 2011 2014 2005 1987 2009 2008

– – – – – – – –

2016 1996 2015 2018 2009 1993 2014 2013

TROMBONE Jeremy Loudon Nathaniel Lee David Vance Emmanuel Barks Chris Anderson Chris Neal – Bass

2005 2006 2001 1986 2003 1999

– – – – – –

2009 2009 2005 1990 2006 2005

EUPHONIUM Duane Coston Madeline Barker Maureen Jackson Don Leonard Ken Trammell

1994 2010 2008 1996 2004

– – – – –

1998 2014 2011 1997 2008

Personnel continued

TUBA Jeff Hudson Stephanie Ycaza Chris Hite Joshua Gall

2007 2002 1990 2007

– – – –

2012 2006 1993 2011

PERCUSSION Peter Soroka Greg Giannascoli Mike Boyd Justin McConchie Kevin Estes Daniel Evans

2007 1988 1988 2009 2005 1995

– – – – – –

2011 1991 1991 2013 2009 1999

PIANO Dawn Hill Dowdy Matthew Driver

1992 2018 – 2022

DOUBLE BASS Kyffin Salter

2016 – 2017

HARP Erin Roukous 2011 – 2013/ 2015 – 2017

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celebrate We hope you will join us for a reception immediately following the concert in the lobby. There will be food, beverages, and plenty of opportunities to toast our guest of honor.