Mark J. Connor, Composer
  • About
    • Biography
    • Testimonials
    • EPK
  • Music
  • Collaborate
    • Commissions
    • CSIC Orchestra Commission
  • Blog
  • EB Podcast
  • Contact

Everything Band: Episode 36 - Milt Allen

11/19/2017

Comments

 
Former director of bands at Eastern Illinois University and current CEO and founder of the non-profit Music Guerrilla, Milt Allen joins me to speak about his own career and his views of music education and the band world.
Topics:
  • The problem of elitism in music and the need to eliminate placing value judgments on different genres of music.
  • A discussion of the value of self-publishing versus commercial publishing for composers.
  • Milt’s background growing up in Salina, Kansas and the lessons that he learned as a young musician including the importance of having a mentor.
  • Why being vulnerable is unavoidable for all musicians.
  • Quality is attracted to quality and raising the level and expectations of the music making as they key to building a program.
  • "Unless you have the heart of a child and the soul of a musician you should never be in front of students." Suggestions for improving music teacher training in music education programs.
  • Why conducting is the most important rehearsal tool that every band director has and why you need to be the best that you can be.

Link:

Music Guerrilla

Biography:
Dr. Milt Allen has worked with hundreds of schools and thousands of students, directors and community members during his career. He is often credited as being one of the most creative, innovative, inspiring and non-traditional music educators today. Conductor, clinician, speaker, author and tireless advocate on behalf of music education, his passion for reaching more musicians at a grass-roots level drove him to leave a 26-year career in education, including 17 years in the public school, to step outside the traditional rehearsal room to create The Music Guerrilla, allowing him – and eventually others – to harness the power of music through whatever avenues available. In so doing, “Doc” is also able to create a means to reach out to programs in need, as well as partnering with music programs in third-world countries, most recently in Rwanda, Zambia and Haiti.

Milt brings a rare perspective to his roles as MG President and Executive Director. His cross-genre music interests effectively combine with previous teaching positions in rural/suburban, large/small and public/parochial environments to create a truly unique ability to connect to those he serves. His experiences range from teaching beginning band in a boiler room to premiering new works at the university level, to working with young African musicians learning to play an instrument. Yet always, from Glasgow, Scotland to Zambia, Africa, and at regional, state, national and international conferences, Milt’s humor, passion and experience combine to illuminate the possibilities of both music and the live art of performance.

Milt’s articles and insights have appeared in music, parenting and educational magazines as well as various newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angels Times and the Chicago Tribune. He is also the author of Music, Artistry, and Education: A Journey Towards Musical Growth and Enlightenment, published by Meredith Music Publications/Hal Leonard. Dr. Allen’s online venture: “Milt’s Music Minute,” continues to gain in popularity, providing quick information and helpful hints for both music directors and parents.

Ensembles under Doc’s direction have received numerous awards at local, state and national levels including recognition by the United States Congress for Musical Excellence. He is a two-time high school Teacher of the Year, a Kansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, and is listed in various Who’s Who publications. Other honors and distinctions include 5 awards from the Ohio State University School of Music recognizing his teaching and service and selection as a Conducting Fellow for the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 40th Anniversary. In 2008, Dr. Allen became the first civilian in the history of the United States Air Force to tour as a featured conductor (USAF Heritage of America Band) and received an Eastern Illinois University Achievement and Contribution Award.
Comments
    Picture

    About

    A podcast featuring conversations with teachers, composers, and performers of music for winds and percussion.

    Everything Band is a member of the Music Teacher Development Podcast Network. The MuTed network provides support in the form of audio on demand programming designed by and for music educators. You can find more information about our network at mutedpodcasts.com

    Picture
    The Everything Band Podcast is proud to partner with Kaleidoscope Adventures.

    Categories

    All
    2017 Midwest Clinic
    2018 Midwest Clinic
    2018 TMEA Convention
    2019 Midwest Clinic
    Advocacy
    Authors
    Beginners
    Composers
    Conductors
    Historians
    Jazz Education
    Marching Arts
    Middle School
    Military Bands
    Performers
    Publishers
    Retailers

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017

    Listen on Google Play Music
    Picture

    RSS Feed

Site and contents copyright © 2020 Mark J. Connor. All rights reserved.
  • About
    • Biography
    • Testimonials
    • EPK
  • Music
  • Collaborate
    • Commissions
    • CSIC Orchestra Commission
  • Blog
  • EB Podcast
  • Contact