Congratulations to our 2017 NBA Young Composer/Conductor Mentor Project Participants!
2017 Composer participants:
Zachery S. Meier, “Reigniere” for Wind Ensemble (2016). Currently a doctoral student in composition at the University of Iowa. MA, Washington State University. BM, University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Joshua Hobbs, “Into The Blue” for Wind Ensemble (2016). Currently Director of Bands at Wesley Chapel High School and Artistic Director of the Carrollwood Wind Symphony in Tampa, Florida. MM (instrumental conducting), University of South Florida. BM (composition), University of Central Florida.
Paul Cravens, “Symphony No. 1” (2016). Currently Director of Worship and Music at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. BM (composition), Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. MA (composition), University of New Hampshire.
We would also like to recognize the following runner-ups in the composer area:
- First Runner-Up: Rachel Lanik Whelan, “Street Hawker” (Concerto for E-Flat Alto Saxophone and Wind Sinfonietta)
- Second Runner-Up: Darren Schmidt, “Light Shines in the Darkness”
- Third Runner-Up: Ian Nelson, Symphony No. 1 “Apollo”
2017 Conductor participants:
DaJuan Brooks. MM in Music Education and Clarinet performance, Northwestern University. BM, University of Arizona.
Daniel Cook. Begins DMA in Wind Conducting, Northwestern University, fall 2017. MM, Northwestern University. BM, University of Georgia.
David Regner. 2013-present, Director of Bands at Arlington High School, LaGrangeville, NY. Will serve as a Band Officer in The United States Air Force starting September 2017. MM, Northwestern University. BM, Rutgers University.
We would also like to recognize the following semi-finalists in the conductor area:
- Benjamin Alaniz. Currently MM in Wind Conducting, Baylor University.
- Joel Bein. Serving as Conservatory Symphonic Band Director, Lusher Charter School, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Christopher Brandt. Currently DMA in Wind Conducting, University of Nebraska.
- Robert Meese. Music major, Duke University.
- Lauren Yacht. MM, University of Central Florida.