This week, we have Dr. Troy Robertson, head choral director at Tarleton State University, join us on the show! Troy has worked with many different choirs across the country and tells us what he believes are the most important foundations of any ensemble: Community, Excellence, and Beauty.Follow the Tarleton Choir Program:Website: https://www.tarleton.edu/finearts/music/vocal/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarletonchoralprogram/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TarletonChoralProgram/Connect with Troy:Website: https://www.troydrobertson.com/Email: robertson@tarleton.eduDr. Troy Robertson is the Director of Choirs at Tarleton State University and the conductor of the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale. He is the founder of ChorAmor. Before coming to Tarleton, Dr. Robertson taught at Ithaca College and served for several years as choral director at East Gaston High School in North Carolina. He is a composer whose works are published with Hinshaw Music, Santa Barbara Music Press, Colla Voce, and Music Spoke.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

In this week's episode, we have the privilege of talking to Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor of the Baylor University Symphony Orchestra and Director of Orchestral Studies.  With many years of experience conducting orchestras all around the world, Miguel tells us about what the ultimate goal of a conductor should be, and his methods on preparing scores and working with ensembles.Connect with Miguel Harth-Bedoya!Website: https://www.miguelharth-bedoya.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miguelharthbedoya/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiguelHarthBedoyaTwitter: https://twitter.com/MHarthBedoyaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDtynJwmcgudZPu9hkFWDgBaylor University School of Music: https://www.baylor.edu/music/The Conducting Institute: https://conductinginstitute.org/Miguel Harth-Bedoya is the Director of Orchestral Studies at Baylor University. He is the former music director of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (New Zealand), and New York Youth Symphony. He graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. Miguel has conducted worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, and the Sydney Symphony, among others. He is also the Founder of The Conducting Institute in Ft. Worth, Texas.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

This week, we sit down with composer Luke McMillan, who is very well-known for creating accessible marching shows for small school band programs. Luke tells us how he came to become a full-time composer and the strategies he uses to be a resource to band directors and other music educators across the country.Connect with Luke:Website: https://lukemcmillanmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukemcmillan/?hl=enFacebook: https://es-la.facebook.com/lukemcmillanmusic/Luke McMillan is a composer, arranger, and designer for the marching arts. Luke has been writing music professionally since 2005 and has composed and arranged full-time since 2015. Luke’s music is regularly heard at numerous competitive circuits, including BOA, USBands, and multiple local and state-sanctioned events across the country. Luke’s music has been played by several state marching band finalists and medalists around the country and has been described as achievable and fun for the performers, and entertaining and engaging for the audience.Before becoming a full-time composer/arranger, Luke was as a band director for 11 years at Wylie High School in Abilene, TX. During his time at Wylie, Luke designed the shows for and co-taught the Wylie “Pure Gold” Marching Band, which advanced to the state marching contest several times playing his music. Luke also directed the Symphonic Band which earned consistent sweepstakes awards, and the Wylie High School Jazz Band, which earned “Best in Class” awards for most jazz festivals they attended.Luke is a 2003 graduate of The University of North Texas holding a Bachelor of Music degree. While attending UNT, he played in the marching band, concert band, and nationally recognized jazz lab bands. Luke lives and works in his hometown of Abilene, TX.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Darcy Radcliffe, former orchestra director at Abilene and Cooper High Schools, created a new type of string orchestra ensemble called Revolution Strings. After experiencing many incredible successes with the group, she has joined us on this week's episode to give insight as to how she created it, what steps she took to generate interest, and how other music directors can find creative new ways to increase interest in performing music.Follow Darcy social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085921145160Check out Revolution Strings!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revostrings/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revostrings/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/revostrings?lang=enApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/revolution-strings/1239966311Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZF9khohh1wLaeWgTUV6r6?si=L6ma3wN8RWuFEy5gHU7pnADarcy Radcliffe maintains a Private Violin/Viola Studio and is the creator of the internationally acclaimed fiddle group, "Revolution Strings" which has been featured on the National Public Radio show "From the Top.” She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Hardin Simmons University where she studied with Ms. Celeste Myall. Mrs. Radcliffe is the recipient of several awards including the 2006 winner of the American String Teachers Association's (ASTA) Marjorie Keller Young Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding promise in string education, 2011 Teacher of the Year through the Abilene Spotlight on Education program, 2012 Most Outstanding Faculty Member and Ring of Honor recipient for Cooper HS, 2014 recipient of the Top 20 under 40 leaders for the city of Abilene. In 2017 her work as an educator was featured in the eleventh annual publication of Texas School Business ‘Bragging Rights’ magazine.Mrs. Radcliffe also serves as a clinician and an adjudicator for orchestras in the state of Texas and has been an active member of the Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association. Mrs. Radcliffe was offered an ongoing endorsement from the D’Addario music company for her fiddle group, Revolution Strings. Revolution Strings has performed at several conventions including the American String Teachers Association national conference, the National Association of Secondary School Principals conference, the Texas Music Educators Association convention and the National Association of School Boards convention, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development of Texas conference, and the Texas Music Administrators Conference. They have also performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Mark and Maggie O’Connor, David Ragsdale of Kansas, Barrage, Asleep at the Wheel, Riders in the Sky, Mark Preston of the Lettermen, The Quebe Sisters Band, Gary Morris, Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas and The Hot Club of Cowtown and Christian Howes. Revolution Strings completed tours of China in June 2013, Europe in July 2015, performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tn. in 2015 and toured Canada in June 2017 as part of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations. Revolution Strings has released two albums; the most recent entitled Homegrown was released in May, 2017.As a violinist Mrs. Radcliffe has performed with various organizations such as the Abilene Opera Association, the AbileneWant a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

For music educators, the constant task of having to observe, evaluate, and improve is imperative for having a successful experience for students. However, this habit, paired with the overwhelming amount of tasks needed to be done each week can lead to huge amounts of stress. In this episode, Dr. Jon Kraemer, Head Band Director at Abilene High School, joins us to discuss how band directors handle the extensive planning process required from season to season while maintaining a healthy mindset.Connect with the Abilene High School Band!Website: http://www.eagleband.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abilenehighband/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abilenehighband/?hl=enDr. Kraemer began teaching in 2006.  A native of the DFW metroplex, he graduated from Waxahachie HS in 1998. He went on to East Texas Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2002, and then to Texas Tech University where he earned both a Master's of Conducting in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts: Musicology in 2009. Dr. Kraemer is now in his 16th year teaching. Prior to coming to Abilene, Dr. Kraemer was the Director of Bands for Pampa ISD for 3 years and the Director of Bands at Roosevelt ISD for 7 years before that. Dr. Kraemer was an Assistant Director at Abilene High during the 2017-18 school year before assuming the role of Director of Bands at AHS. Dr. Kraemer’s specialty is brass with an emphasis in Trumpet. Dr. Kraemer is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts. Dr. Kraemer and his wife are co-authors of the book, “The Band Director’s Guide to Success”, a 2016 Oxford University Press publication. Dr. Kraemer’s family includes his wife, Michelle, and their three children.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

We are very excited to bring our first guest with an orchestral background onto the show! Mrs. Allison King is the orchestra director at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. Allison brings a variety of insight for directors finding their first gigs, teaching string orchestra, and coordinating with other directors to create a full orchestra experience for students.Check out the L.D. Bell Orchestra's website: https://www.ldbellorchestra.com/Follow the L.D. Bell Orchestra on Social Media!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMBibiEDH8IqrZ4-O1wy-QFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ldbellhsorchestraTwitter: https://twitter.com/ldbhsorchestraMrs. King became the director of orchestras at L.D. Bell High School in 2010. In her first year, she led the L.D. Bell Symphony Orchestra to its first sweepstakes performance as a varsity string organization at the UIL concert and sight reading competition and founded the L.D. Bell Full Symphony Orchestra. Since taking over the L.D. Bell Orchestra program, the program has tripled in size, and the varsity Symphony Orchestra has earned consistent sweepstakes ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight reading competition. The Symphony Orchestra has performed with many world-renowned artists, and the varsity full and varsity string orchestras have been commended and national winners of the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors competition five times in the past five years. In 2017, the varsity full orchestra made its debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2019, the Symphony string orchestra made the finals of the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition.Mrs. King is now in her twenty second year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California where she studied with Ronald Leonard, the former principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied with Dr. Elizabeth Morrow. She has also had the privilege of studying with Ira Lehn, former principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pamela Frame of the Eastman School, and in her early years was the stand-in soloist for Yo-Yo Ma with the World Youth Symphony where she also appeared on "60 Minutes" with Yo-Yo Ma. In 2005, Mrs. King was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society. She has been a member of the American String Teachers Association for over 25 years, and is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association. She is also the orchestra chair for TMEA Region 31.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

It can be hard leading a rehearsal when your students don't have the motivation to try in your classroom. In this week's episode, we discuss different ways you can incentivize your students to come to class with an attitude and expectation of success and responsibility.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

One of the hardest aspects of teaching for many people is disciplining students while keeping them engaged and enjoying the class as a whole. In this episode, Mr. Reece Kingcade, Head Choral Director at Cooper High School, joins us to discuss how disciplining students in the makes a difference for an entire school year. We also talk about the unique opportunity the music classroom setting brings for earning students' respect and involving them in leadership positions.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Dr. Jeffrey Cottrell is the Associate Dean of the School of Music at Hardin-Simmons University. He is also the director of the HSU Jazz Band, a private instructor of low brass, an active performer, and award-winning composer. In this week's episode, he joins us to discuss his journey through many different aspects of the music field - from performing in bands, to teaching private lessons and jazz ensembles, to handling administrative duties.To learn more about the Hardin-Simmons University School of Music, visit:https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/schools-colleges/college-liberal-arts/music-opportunities/Dr. Cottrell performs on tuba with the Key City Brass Quintet and trombone with the “oldies” rock band Johnny D and the Doo-Wops. He also plays trombone for the local dance band Fanfare, lead trombone for the West Texas Jazz Orchestra, and trombone and euphonium with the San Angelo based combo Jazz Concho. He has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, the Irving Symphony, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Dallas Tuba Quartet, Cap Rock Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Martha and the Vandellas, Dash Riprock and the Dragons, the Hi Roller Band, and numerous other ensembles on trombone, euphonium, and tuba. He has been featured as a soloist with several ensembles over the years such as the San Angelo Symphony, the Mansfield Wind Symphony, the Summit High School Jazz Band, and the Hardin-Simmons Concert Band. Dr. Cottrell can be heard on recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony for the Klavier Wind Project and the GIA Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. He has also recorded with the blues artist Keith Taylor, and for other groups such as Brave Combo, Six Flags Over Texas, and The ET’s, He is greatly in demand as a teacher and clinician across Texas, and has placed many students in the Texas All-State Band and Orchestra in addition to the Dallas Youth Orchestra and the Ft. Worth Youth Orchestra.Jeff’s first love is composing and arranging. He has numerous published works that have been performed around the world in various venues. His compositions include works for choir, orchestra, concert band, jazz band, brass quintet, trombone ensemble, and tuba-euphonium ensemble. In 2006 he was honored with The International Tuba-Euphonium Association’s Harvey Phillips Award for Composition Excellence for euphonium featured in jazz/rock/fusion, and in 2013 his tuba-euphonium composition Tuba Loca was recorded for the CD release of Spainphonic by the internationally known Spanish euphonium artist Juan Jose Munera. He was also honored as the Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer for 2015.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

As the school year begins, we wanted to simply share with you all some words of encouragement. Please take them to heart as you begin and continue throughout the school year, and remember that what do matters. What you do changes lives. And therefore, what you do changes the world.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

As the new school year begins, we wanted to share 12 tools that can help you in your everyday tasks in the music classroom. Most of these are either free or very cheap and can make a big difference!Pinstripe tape for making a staff on your whiteboard:https://www.amazon.com/Audab-Pinstripe-Whiteboard-Pinstriping-Graphic/dp/B088LPKDWP/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=vinyl+pinstripe+tape&qid=1659823354&sr=8-7Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Everybody knows it: Middle Schoolers are quite the adventure to work with in any classroom, but especially in a musical setting. Lyndsey Ransford, Head Choral Director at Craig Middle School, joins us on this week's episode to talk about the best ways to work with middle school students, how to get them to participate, how to motivate them to do their best work, and ultimately create a culture of safety and support for them!Follow the Craig Middle School choir on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/craigmiddleschoolchoir/?hl=enWant a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

This week, Wendy Weeks, head choral director at Abilene High School, joins us to talk about the importance of having structure in your classroom from day 1, and how it affects the rest of the teaching and learning experience for both you and your students. Follow the Abilene High School choirs on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/abilenehighchoirs/?hl=enA music educator of twenty-eight years, Wendy Weeks is serving her sixth year as Director of Choirs at Abilene High School.  Mrs. Weeks proudly hails from the outstanding music programs of the Abilene Independent School District, singing under the direction of Don Scargall at Madison Junior High, and Bobbie Sumerlin and Barbara Perkins at Cooper High School.  While in high school, Wendy had the privilege of performing the Brahms Requiem in the 1989 TMEA Texas All-State Choir under the direction of Robert Shaw.Mrs. Weeks earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Abilene Christian University, where she majored in Music Education and Vocal Performance.  As a member of the ACU A Cappella Choir, she performed a concert at TMEA. As a vocal student of Julie Pruett, she participated in NATS competitions, opera and oratorio performances, musical theatre productions, and served as an ACU Sing Song Hostess.  She was awarded the Janey Nance Hall Music Scholarship in her senior year at ACU.  In 1995, she began her teaching career at Cooper High School as Assistant Choral Director with her former choir teacher and mentor, Barbara Perkins.  From 2000 to 2011, Mrs. Weeks taught elementary music at College Heights and Jackson Elementary schools.  College Heights Elementary School honored Mrs. Weeks in 2002 by naming her Teacher of the Year.  Mrs. Weeks furthered her music education during the summers earning her Kodaly Certification through the West Texas Kodaly Initiative in 2008. From 2011 to 2017, Mrs. Weeks served as Choral Director at Craig Middle School, where she also acted as the Fine Arts/Electives Chairperson.  Under her leadership, the choral program grew from 120 students to one that served almost 300 students.  The Craig Choir annually placed many students in the TMEA Region XVI South Zone Honor Choirs, and consistently earned Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading contest each spring.  In 2014 and again in 2016 respectively, the Craig Concert Boys Choir and Concert Girls Choir were selected as Invited Performing Choirs to the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual convention in San Antonio.Mrs. Weeks currently holds memberships in ACDA, TCDA, ACDA, OAKE, TMAA, as well as TMEA, where she has served as Middle School Choir Coordinator.  She is active as an adjudicator and as a clinician.  Mrs. Weeks sings in the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church, Abilene, and previously held the position of Children’s Choir Coordinator.  Wendy and her husband, John, are proud parents of three daughters, Hayley, Whitney, and Courtney.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

In this week's episode, choral composer and assistant choral director at Abilene High School, Remel Derrick joins us on the podcast to discuss his composition and publishing processes, as well as how it applies to the classroom and our lives overall. This is a great episode for teachers who are just beginning to dip their toes into composition, and likewise for young composers who are just beginning to work on getting their music published and ready for the classroom.Purchase Remel's music on J.W. Pepper:https://www.jwpepper.com/myscore/RemelDerrickFor requesting commissions and other inquiries, contact Remel at summitmusicpublishing@yahoo.comRemel M. Derrick (b. 1981) Composer, Conductor and Church musician is a music graduate of Southwestern Christian College and Abilene Christian University. His collegiate experiences include being the student director of the Southwestern Christian College A Cappella Chorus, and music director for Summer Tour, an a cappella touring ensemble. As a professional singer he has performed with the Abilene Chamber Singers, and Chorus Abilene. Remel is the Associate Director of Choirs at Abilene High School in Abilene, Texas where he shares in the responsibilities of directing both varsity and non-varsity choirs, as well as teaching AP Music Theory. While at Abilene High School, Remel has music directed and/or conducted the orchestra for several musicals, including, Drowsy Chaperone, Big Fish, Seussical and Oklahoma! His professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Choral Directors Association. An accomplished composer, Remel's compositions are self-published with his company, Summit Pointe Music Publishing (BMI), and he also has two works published with Walton Music Corporation. A native of Dallas, Texas, Remel currently resides in Abilene, Texas with his wife Angela, their daughter Caylie, and their Mini Aussie, Asher. Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Serayah Peters is a private vocal instructor, as well as the director of the a-cappella group BackBeat from Chorus Abilene. She joins us on this week's episode to discuss habits that help us stay grounded throughout our work - to have a foundation - physically, mentally, spiritually, and more. We also talk about how to connect to students and why most issues we face usually come down to our own mindset!Check out Serayah's Vocal Studio: https://www.facebook.com/serayahp.musicAnd check out BackBeat! https://chorusabilene.org/backbeat/Serayah Peters received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Choral) Grades EC-12 from Hardin-Simmons University. She has been a music director for Clyde High School’s musicals for the past five years, as well as been on the stage multiple times herself. Her last roles were Marmee in HSU’s production of Little Women the Musical, and Anna Glawari in the HSU’s production of an operetta, The Merry Widow. Serayah is also currently the Box Office Supervisor for the Abilene Philharmonic. She keeps herself busy in the fine arts in order to allow herself to grow and gain more experience. Serayah is currently a voice teacher where she trains singers in classical, musical theatre, and even commercial music. She is also the director of Chorus Abilene’s brand new a cappella ensemble, BackBeat. She also finds time to perform her own gigs as a soloist. She most recently won the Jerry Herman Legacy Contest and was featured as a guest soloist to perform with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

In this episode, Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church Stephenville and Assistant Conductor of the Abilene Chamber Singers, Travis Lowery joins us to discuss a variety of topics, including young vs. old and amateur vs. professional ensembles, the benefits of having a performance background, and how to be efficient in rehearsals.Check out the choir at First United Methodist Church:https://www.fumcstephenville.org/For more information about the Abilene Chamber Singers, visit their website:https://www.abilenechambersingers.org/Travis Lowery currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Stephenville, Texas where he conducts the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir and Children’s Choirs and leads the worship band. Mr. Lowery also maintains a career as a soloist and professional chorister. Most recently he has performed with Orpheus Chamber Singers in Dallas, Dallas Bach Society, and with the Fort Worth Chorale. Having performed with the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale since 2015, Mr. Lowery is an active member of the arts community in Stephenville and works with other musicians in the area to maintain high standards of music making. Mr. Lowery holds the Bachelor of Music in Church Music from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where he studied church music with Dr. Clell Wright, conducting with Dr. Dee Romines and voice with Dr. Lynnette Chambers. He also holds the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he studied with Dr. Karen Kenaston-French.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

If you're a teacher or student, congratulations on getting through the school year! This week, the Fortners reflect on Kara's first full year of teaching, what she did well, and what she could improve upon next year. This is the perfect episode to think about your past year and what you plan to do differently going forward!Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Brady McNeil, Director of Bands at McMurry University, joins us on this week's episode to talk about how he began a new choral program at a large high school, the pros and cons of getting your graduate and doctoral degrees early, and the benefit of teaching a variety of ensembles.Learn more about the McMurry School of Music:https://academics.mcm.edu/music/Follow the McMurry Band on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/mcmurryuniversitybands/?hl=enWant a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

In this episode, Abigail Payne, Executive Director of Chorus Abilene, joins us to discuss the necessity of collaboration within ensembles, schools, and the community. We also talk about doing what's necessary vs. what you want, and how to use circumstantial constrictions as an opportunity for creativity.For more info about Chorus Abilene, contact:info@chorusabilene.org(325) 675-SINGor check them out online!Website: https://chorusabilene.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChorusAbileneTX/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chorusabilene/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chorusabileneAbigail is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she earned a Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano as a student of Allison Gagnon. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Piano from Abilene Christian University and also studied with pianist/coach Dale Fundling of the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.As an active pianist, Abigail has been a performing participant at the Vancouver International Song Institute and has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Thomas Pasatieri, Rachel Barton-Pine, Aldo Mancinelli, Cameron Stowe, Lee Thompson, Lenora Eve, Eugenia Grunwald, Mary Saunders-Barton, Anton Nel, Rudolf Rudnynstky, and Joyce Farwell. She has a passion for opera and has been a pianist/coach and musical director for Opera Breve, Red River Lyric, and the Hardin-Simmons University opera program. She is currently the collaborative artist in residence for the Church of the Heavenly Rest Chamber Music Concert Series.Abigail has a passion for arts education and young people and is particularly looking forward to reaching out to students in the Big Country and introducing them to the youth choruses of Chorus Abilene. While Abigail enjoys an active career as a professional musician and arts administator, she says her most important job is being mother to her daughter, Josephine.Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings

Mr. Bill Harden, director of bands at Hardin-Simmons University, tells us about the many different people that made an impact on his career and made it possible for him to be where he is today. We discuss the importance of maintaining relationships with the people around us and how we can use those relationships as an opportunity to learn and grow.Find out more about the "World Famous" Cowboy Band:https://www.cowboybandfoundation.org/Follow the Cowboy Band on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/twf_cowboy_band/?hl=enMr. Bill Harden graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 1986 with a Bachelors in Music Education and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music earning the Master of Music in Bassoon Performance degree in 1988.Prior to coming to HSU, he taught for 30 years in Odessa, Texas including two years as an Assistant Band Director at Odessa High School and eight years as the Band Director at Bowie Junior High School. The final twenty years, he was the Director of Bands at Odessa High School where his bands earned consistent sweepstakes awards in UIL Marching Contest and Concert and Sight Reading Evaluations. He also led the band on trips to New York City, Washington D.C., Orlando, Chicago, St Louis, and Hawaii, and in 2004, marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. He also served for one year as the Orchestra Director at OHS and received the sweepstakes award at Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, the first for the students in the program.In addition to his duties at OHS, Mr. Harden also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he taught conducting and Secondary Music Education methods. He has also played Assistant Principal Bassoon in the Midland-Odessa Symphony for 29 years and served as Principal in the 1996-97 season. In 1997, he presented a clinic entitled “Teaching the Intermediate Bassoon Player” at the TBA Summer conference.In 2013, Mr. Harden received the Marcia McEntyre Zoffutto Hero Award for his dedication to the students in the Permian Basin. Named for the daughter of JR McEntyre, herself an award-winning Music Educator, the award is given to music educators in the Permian Basin who have devoted extensive time and energy into helping a music education program in west Texas.Mr. Harden holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Phi Beta Mu, International Band Fraternity. He helped found YES West Texas and Big Country Y.E.S. (Young Educators Symposium), a series of professional development opportunities for young music educators and for the young at heart!Want a free piece of music for your ensemble to perform? Join Christian's mailing list!https://www.christianfortnermusic.com/mailings