NIB Reflections: An Interview with The 2021 Conductor and Composer

By Dr. LaToya Webb National Vice President for Professional Relations - TBΣ Assistant Director of Bands, University of Texas at Austin

The idea of bringing conductors, composers, and musicians together for commissioning a significant concert ensemble work can bring up both excitement and nervousness from all involved. To an extent, everyone feels pressure to manifest the composer’s intent, provide an aesthetic experience, and perform well.

Phrases like: “Is my composition too hard or enough to get my initial thoughts across?” “I’m not sure if I communicated that musical idea through my conducting.” “I hope I sound okay on that solo” are typical phrases from the composer, conductor, and performing musicians that are actively engaged in the musicmaking process.

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner and Alex Shapiro have the honor of serving as the conductor and composer for the 2021 National Intercollegiate Band (NIB) at the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma National Convention. Dr. Turner serves as Dean of the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Before her appointment in Canada, she served as Director of Bands at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Turner is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, researcher, writer, and advocate of new music. Alex Shapiro is an American composer of acoustic and electroacoustic music. She has an extensive catalog of various mediums (band, choir, and orchestra) ranging from solo to chamber and large ensemble works. Shapiro is an active speaker, clinician, writer, advocate for diversity, copyright, music education, technology, and music business.

Alexs’ commissioned work titled SUSPENDED Symphony for Winds, Percussion, and Pre-recorded Soundscape premiered in the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, MI, July 13, 2021. For many, this was the first in-person conference and musical performance since the start of the COVID pandemic in Spring 2020. Various emotions surfaced as the NIB music participants went above and beyond to share an intimate performance filled with music. Covid forced everyone to rethink life to adjust for survival, so many experienced emotions during the concert were heavy, confusing, frustrating, reflective, vulnerable, but optimistic. We heard live music, with real musicians, in a concert hall- an experience that many of us missed dearly. Music is an art form that can heal and bring people together. It was so refreshing and rewarding to see the dedication of all working tirelessly to put this successful performance together.

Learn more about the 2021 NIB experience as we share the perspectives of Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner and Alex Shapiro through a series of interview questions.

The Conductor’s Perspective -Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner

You have conducted many ensembles in various capacities. What was different about the NIB experience?

First of all, for many of us, it was our first experience in a large ensemble setting since Covid. So, the mere act of being together playing music was magical. What made it even more special was that we were strangers brought together immediately through music. I loved every second of it. These students dug in and wanted to do well. We worked hard with challenging music, but there was a collective sense of, ‘we HAVE to do this,’ and therefore, we did what it took to get there.

Composers are often very busy, which leaves little time to collaborate with a conductor and the performing ensemble. Some composers may not engage with the conductor and performing ensemble until a couple of days before the live performance.

Describe the collaboration process and the benefits of working with Alex Shapiro before, during, and after the event.

My favorite part of the event was all the time I spent with Alex. We had many Zooms before the live event, so I had a good sense of the symphony and her intent. She was an absolute joy to work with in every way. Yes, I’ve worked with many composers, I love that process, but this longer, concentrated time to work together was special. And the students were able to interact with Alex too, which is common in other honor band experiences, but this was much more concentrated and intense. We really got to know each other well, and it felt incredibly impactful.

What would you say to students considering participating in NIB in the future?

Do it! This is a chance to meet and perform with like-minded musicians from across the country. Do not miss this opportunity and experience. And the team supporting the event is top-notch!

The Composer’s Perspective -Alex Shapiro

Please share your initial thoughts about NIB and the experience. (How did you feel and what were you thinking when first asked to compose for NIB... excitement, inspiration, worries, doubts?)

It was flattering to be invited to join a long roster of wonderful composers! I believe it began with band director Kyle Glaser asking me if I'd be interested. I lit up like a Christmas tree at the idea, so he very kindly suggested me to the folks at NIB. To not only write a piece, but provide something that kicks off the convention for so many younger musicians, is very inspiring. I knew what a beautiful opportunity this would be.

Why was SUSPENDED composed as the 2021 commissioning piece?

It's a big gift to any composer when you hand them the keys to a musical castle of their imagination. This was such a commission: a request that welcomed a substantial addition to the repertoire and thus, welcomed my muses!

As it turned out, the timing of this particular project was profound, as all of us were in the midst of a global event that turned our lives upside down in myriad ways. My heart was overflowing with intense emotions for which I no longer possessed the words to describe, and it was immensely cathartic to have so much music through which I could express myself. Across the journey of the four movements that comprise SUSPENDED, I hoped that I could give a voice to at least some of what everyone else was feeling. Each of us has had an individual experience through the challenges of our times– not just the pandemic, but so many serious social justice and environmental issues. I end the program note for each movement with an invitation: Scream with me. Cry with me. Laugh with me. Dance with me.

I was exceptionally fortunate to have the amazing Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner at the helm to elicit all these emotions from the musicians, and together, convey them to a very receptive audience. It was the first large ensemble event and live performance that any of us, whether on the stage or seated in the hall, had since the beginning of the shutdown in early 2020. Many experienced the sheer joy of finally being together again with colleagues in a physical space, which increased the intensity of launching such emotional music. I'll never forget the experience.

What would you say to students considering participating in NIB in the future?

Without question, participate! It's a unique opportunity to connect and bond with one's musical peers, work with a world-class conductor, bring new pieces into the canon, and pull a great deal of challenging music together in just two and a half days. Music is a social, collaborative, and communal pursuit, and I can't think of a better example of all this excitement than the NIB and the subsequent conference! Additionally, the support of the people in leadership positions for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma was quite touching. Conductors Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin and Dr. LaToya A. Webb, and everyone from the Headquarters office in Stillwater, Oklahoma, including Steve Nelson, Tony Falcone, and T. J. Tooley, had my back on everything. They made me feel special while making sure everyone else had what they needed, too!

NIB 2023

If you’re wondering if the National Intercollegiate Band is an opportunity for you, hopefully, these perspectives have given you thoughtful insight. It’s never too early to start planning. The National Convention is only one year away and will occur July 9-11, 2023, in Orlando, FL. We hope you will consider being part of this time-honored tradition of excellence. NIB is an opportunity for you to meet and perform with collegiate musicians from across the nation, work with an esteemed conductor and composer, participate in the world premiere of a new NIB commissioned work, and make lasting memories.

NIB participants are selected through an audition process. More specific audition information will be available on the National Intercollegiate Band webpage closer to the event. In the meantime, please share this information with your band directors and peers (chapter members and non-KKPsi/ TBSigma collegiate musicians). You will not want to miss the next historical event- mark your calendar!