Everything Band: Episode 88 - Charles Menghini

President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music, Charlie Menghini enjoyed a long career as a music educator in the Kansas City area before joining the faculty at VanderCook. In this episode he shares wisdom and anecdotes from a remarkable career.

Topics:

• Charlie’s background growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and how an influential 7th grade band teacher nurtured and inspired a young cornet player.
• How a speech by John Paynter at Bands of America and a subsequent meeting with his former high school band director helped a young Charlie understand the value of the high school music teacher.
• After following Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser to the University of Missouri, the story of how Charlie got his first high school teaching job at Winnetonka High School outside of Kansas City.
• Your first big mistake is not an indicator of your future success and other anecdotes from Charlie’s first job.
• Practical tips and thoughts about getting better as a band director, as well as thoughts about building connections and creating relationships.

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Links:

• Charles Menghini
• Stan Kenton Big Band with Maynard Ferguson
• VanderCook College of Music

Biography:

Dr. Charles T. Menghini is President Emeritus of VanderCook College of Music. Dr. Menghini served as President and Director of Bands from August of 2004 through May of 2017, and prior to that time served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Bands. He began his teaching at VanderCook College in 1994 and in addition to being Director of Bands he taught instrumental conducting, organization and administration, curriculum and supervision, brass methods and rehearsal techniques classes.

Dr. Menghini brought 18 years of successful high school band experience in Missouri and Kansas with his appointment to VanderCook. Bands under his direction received consistent Division I ratings in regional, state and national music festivals, performed at various state music educator conventions and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, Bands of America International Festival and the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada.

Originally from Iron Mountain, MI, Dr. Menghini attended Northern Michigan University and the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music education. He also holds a master's degree in educational administration and a Doctorate of Arts in wind conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Dr. Menghini recognizes Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, Gary Green and Gary Hill as being the most influential teachers in his growth and development.

Dr. Menghini is co-author of the Essential Elements Band Method, published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.  He also writes for numerous professional journals and magazines including InTune Monthly, School Band and Orchestra and The Instrumentalist, where he serves as a member of the Board of Advisors.

Dr. Menghini frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and has actively worked with over 350 school and community ensembles from 20 states as well as Canada, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. He has conducted all-state ensembles in Wisconsin, North Dakota, Georgia, South Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Virginia and Minnesota, and has presented numerous clinics at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and various state and regional music education in-services throughout the world.

Dr. Menghini is a Lowell Mason Fellow and a member of the American Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education and Phi Beta Mu. He was inducted into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society for Music – the highest honor a conservatory faculty can bestow on a student in recognition of outstanding musicianship and scholarly achievement, and is an honorary member of the Xi Kappa (VanderCook) Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Dr. Menghini is an educational consultant for the Hal Leonard Corporation and the Conn-Selmer musical instrument company. In addition, Dr. Menghini is an educational member of the Music Achievement Council of the NAMM Foundation. An active performer, he played lead trumpet in the Kansas City Chiefs Professional Football Band and serves as the official trumpeter of the City Club of Chicago.
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Special thanks to VanderCook College of Music for sponsoring this episode. With a world-class faculty, a location just minutes from downtown Chicago, and an intensive summers-only masters program, it's no wonder VanderCook College of Music has graduates teaching music in all 50 states, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Make next summer your most inspiring summer yet by pursuing a Masters in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. And for the next generation of music educators, VanderCook offers an exceptional, comprehensive 4-year Bachelor of Music Education program. VanderCook Admissions information is available at www.vandercook.edu.