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Featured Guest Artist, Jeff Nelsen
Murray State Instrumental Faculty
Honors Percussion Ensemble - Program
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Gold Band - Program
Blue Band - Program
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Murray State Bands
Thursday Concert Program
Friday Concert Program
Racer Instrumental Music Academy - Information
QUAD STATE STATE
2024 HighSchoolBandFestival MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
February22-24
2024 QUAD STATE GUEST ARTIST
2024 QUAD STATE GUEST ARTIST
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One of the many Canadian pig-farm-raised magician horn player professors in the world, Jeff Nelsen has thrilled audiences and mentored students for over thirty years. Having recently entered his fourteenth year touring and recording with Canadian Brass, Jeff Nelsen has also performed concerti with orchestras on six continents, and in the horn sections of dozens of orchestras including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Chicago, Boston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Montreal Symphonies. His latest performances with the Chicago Symphony in 2023 was of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone…way too much fun!
Jeff is Professor of Music (horn) at the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he teaches full-time as a horn, chamber music, and performance coach. He is founder of Fearless Performance LLC, a company that focuses on training musicians and entrepreneurs to improve their mental game so they consistently perform their best. In 2011 he gave his celebrated TED Talk on Fearless Performance. He partnered with Dr. Katy Webb to create Elevate! – a thriving online Fearless Performance based course collective and performance community. A huge Broadway musical fan, Jeff played the complete run of two Broadway shows in NYC that were nominated for Tony awards – “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (Sherman Brothers) and “The Pirate Queen” (Boublil and Schönberg). Jeff has toured with Michael Bolton and Barry Manilow, has recorded with Michael Buble and the pop band “Barenaked Ladies”, and has performed on dozens of movie and video game soundtracks including the game Halo. Jeff most enjoys performing with his wife, mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, on recital and orchestral pops series. A former President of the International Horn Society (2014-16), Jeff performs on his Dieter Otto 180 K-JN (Nelsen Model) horn he co-designed with German horn-maker Martin Ecker, and his mouthpiece he co-designed with Scott Laskey.
Aside from creating musical magic, Jeff is an enthusiastic magician, and often adds touches of illusionary arts to performances. He is a magician member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the world famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles. His most magical time is spent with his enchanting wife, mezzo-soprano Nina Nelsen and their two spellbinding sons Rhys and Blair.
Dr. Stephanie Rea, Flute Dr. Amy McCann, Clarinet Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Double Reeds, Saxophone
Dr. Eric Swisher, Trumpet
Dr. Ashley Cumming, Horn Dr. Chris Sharpe, Trombone
Dr. Todd French, Tuba / Euphonium
Dr. Todd Hill - Jazz Studies Prof. Conner Viets, Percussion
Dr. Brent Johnson - Conducting Director of Bands
Dr. Ashley Shoupe - Music Ed. Assistant Diretor of Bands
Dr. Mike D’Ambrosio - Theory Department Chair
Mr. Conner Viets Director
Program to be Selected From:
Clapping Music
Steve Reich
Unruly Stars
Jessica Flannigan
Out of Time
Amanda Sycamore
Hodgepodge
The 2024 Quad State Honors Percussion Ensemble
HighSchoolBandFestival
QUAD QUAD STATE STATE
February22-24 2024
MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Conner Viets is a multi-faceted percussionist active as an educator, chamber musician, and solo performer. He currently serves as the Visiting Instructor of Percussion at Murray State University where he teaches applied lessons, directs the Percussion Ensemble, and assists with the renowned Racer Band marching percussion section.
Conner is a Doctor of Music Candidate at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studies with Professors Kevin Bobo, Joseph Gramley and John Tafoya. He served as the Graduate Assistant for the percussion department during the 2022-23 academic year alongside Percussion Technician Joel Castro. Performance activities at IU include participation as a member of the 2023 PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition-winning IU Percussion Ensemble, IU Philharmonic Orchestra, and IU New Music Ensemble. Additional work includes extensive collaborations with the IU JSoM Composition Department including premieres of works by Hippocrates Chang, Younje Cho, Kian Ravaei, Ariel Sol and Huan Sun.
Alongside Hannah Gallamore, Conner is co-founder of CHannel2, a percussion duo dedicated to the exploration of innovative works written for rapidly evolving idiom of the percussive arts CH2 spent the summer of 2021 as an artist-in-residence at Avaloch Farm Music Institute as a part of the LNK Percussion Collective Performance highlights include appearances at the 2019 Nebraska Day of Percussion, 2019 TEDx UMKC Conference, 2019 Heartland Marimba Ensemble Summer Tour, 2018 North Star Music Festival, and 2018 tours throughout the St Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas Competitive success includes 1st Place in the 2017 and 2019 Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy duet competitions, runner-up at the 2019 Great Plains International Marimba Competition, and Second Prize in the 2019 International ENKOR Competition. Additionally, the group has published ten professional-grade recordings to date in collaboration with Blank House Media.
Conner appears regularly as a soloist, exploring an eclectic blend of contemporary and canonical repertoire across a myriad of instruments. He has appeared as a performer at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy and competitive success includes winning the 2020 Black Swamp Collegiate Snare Drum Solo Competition.
Conner’s previous educational service includes appointments at St. Thomas University, Coral Reef High School, and the South Florida Center for the Percussive Arts while located in Miami, FL. Additional teaching experience includes a Graduate Assistantship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and extensive work with Windsor High School and Lafayette High School in St. Louis, MO. Additionally, Conner has worked as a remote Data Breach Analyst for Epiq Systems Inc intermittently since 2020.
Conner holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (M M ), where he studied with Dr Dave Hall He received his Bachelor of Arts (Education) and Bachelor of Music Degrees from Truman State University, where he studied with Dr Michael Bump
Quad State Green Band
Program to be Selected From: Mr. Alan Emerson
Conductor
Choose Joy
Randall Standridge
With You
Ben Lee
Raider’s March
John Williams arr. Edmondson
The Star Wars Saga
John Williams arr. Story
HighSchoolBandFestival
QUAD QUAD STATE STATE
February22-24 2024
Alan Emerson, born in Owensboro, KY, received his BME (1994) and MME (2004) degrees from Murray State University. Mr. Emerson began his teaching career in Owensboro at Audubon Elementary and Apollo High School.
In 1995 Mr. Emerson began teaching for the Hopkins County School system and works with Madisonville North Hopkins High School and James Madison Middle School Bands. James Madison Middle School (160 students, grades 6-8) currently has 32% of the student body involved in the instrumental music program. The 7th and 8th grade bands continually receive distinguished ratings at KMEA large ensemble festival James Madison bands have also competed in the "Music in the Parks" festivals and "Holiday World" music festival and have been rated superior on each occasion and winning all classifications, including high school, in 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2017. The 2016 James Madison 8th grade band was selected and performed in the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu concert festival; one of 2 Middle school bands selected.
Madisonville North Hopkins High School Band (100 Members) offers many outstanding ensembles for its students: Marching Band (22 state finals appearances and 10 state championships, 8 Murray State Festival of Champions Grand Champions), Symphonic Band, Concert Band, 2 Jazz Bands, Brass Choir, Chamber Winds, Percussion Ensemble, and two Winter Guards. Mr. Emerson proudly team-teaches these ensembles with Mr. Randy Adams and Mr Cory Mullins Madisonville North Hopkins has performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, President Clinton's Second Inauguration, and the World War II monument dedication, Disney World's parades including New Year’s Eve Light Parade, and the New York Wind Band Festival at prestigious Carnegie Hall in February 2012.
Besides his teaching duties in Hopkins County, Mr. Emerson is also a composer/arranger for Fannin Musical Productions and an active arranger for high school marching bands with over 130 shows to his credit. Mr. Emerson’s drum and bugle corps experience includes Star of Indiana (1988), The Crossmen (1994-1998) and Eklipse (2003). Mr. Emerson has been awarded the KMEA 2nd District Middle School "Music Educator of the Year" numerous times and is the 2004 recipient of the Hopkins County Middle School "Teacher of the Year" and 2015 Kentucky Music Educators Middle School “Teacher of the Year ”
Mr. Emerson is married to Sarah, an AP senior English teacher at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Mrs. Emerson was involved with the MNHHS color/winter guards from 2002-2022. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have one child, Jane, born in 2012.
MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Quad State Gold Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe
Dr. Ashley Shoupe
Conductor Conductor
Program to be Selected From: Program to be Selected From:
High Intensity
ndler Wilson
obahn
n George Road Less Traveled
Campbell
cketship!
n Day
HighSchoolBandFestival
QUAD QUAD STATE STATE
February22-24 2024
MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Ashley Shoupe is the Assistant Director of Bands at Murray State University, where she serves as the Director of the Racer Band, Racer Pep Band, and Symphonic Band. In addition to her duties with the Murray State Bands, Dr. Shoupe instructs courses in Instrumental Music Education and is a University Supervisor for teacher candidates pursuing degrees in Music Education.
Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Shoupe was the Orchestra Director at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, Illinois. During her time there, she grew the program to over 100 students, fostering growth in the quality of the program and literature performed. Additionally, she founded the Chamber Orchestra, an auditioned ensemble aimed to perform more challenging music, and which competed annually at district and state level IGSMA contests. Her groups consistently received Division I ratings at festivals and contests. In addition to her daily duties teaching orchestra, Dr. Shoupe stayed active in the marching arts. She was hired as visual and music staff with all levels of marching ensembles, including the Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band, the Sycamore High School Marching Spartans, and the WGI indoor winds ensemble Chromium Winds.
Dr. Shoupe earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees, and a Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. She is proud to have studied with such esteemed educators and conductors as Dr. Cody Birdwell, Dr. Shayna Stahl, Professor George Boulden, Dr. Jennifer Campbell, and Dr. Thomas Bough.
Featured Guest Artist: Susan Miranda
Join us for a day of oboe & bassoon masterclasses, reed-making presentations, Double Reed Ensemble, and more!
Faculty Host: Dr. Stephanie Carlson, bassoon & oboe tap here to email me with questions
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Quad State Blue Band
Mr. John Fannin
Conductor
Program to be Selected From:
TheKlaxon HenryFillmore andWhales McBeth hisShiningNight ber,arr.Saucedo
Winds Roost
HighSchoolBandFestival
QUAD STATE STATE
February22-24 2024
John Fannin retired from Murray State University in 2020 where he served as Assistant Director of Bands since 1995. Under Mr. Fannin’s leadership the Racer Marching Band grew from 85 to 300 members. The MSU Racer Marching Band was featured at the 2012 & 2006 Bands of America Grand National Marching Band Championships.
Prior to his appointment at Murray State University, Mr. Fannin was band director at Oñate High School (NM), Del Norte High School (NM), White Sand Missile Range Middle School (NM), Thoreau High School (NM), and Ganado High School (AZ).
Mr. Fannin’s awards include the 2017 Max Carman Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2010 Murray State University Distinguished Professor, 2009 KMEA “University Teacher of the Year,” 2006-2007 Outstanding Murray State University Music Teacher of the Year, and the Phi Beta Mu 2007 “Outstanding Contributor to Band in Kentucky ”
John is the owner of Fannin Musical Productions, LLC. He serves as a creative resource (music and visual) for many high school and college bands all over the United States. He has published concert band works with Arrangers Publishing Company, Curnow Music Press, and Alfred Music Company.
Mr. Fannin is an active band clinician and guest conductor. He has been a guest conductor/clinician in Brazil, Dhaka, England, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky.
Mr. Fannin resides in Murray with his wife Renee.
UNIVERSITY
MURRAY STATE
Quad State Symphony Band
Program to be Selected From: Dr. Brent Johnson Conductor
Neon Nights
Katahj Copley
Good Night, Dear Heart
Dan Forrest
Pompeii
Satoshi Yagisawa
The Stars and Stripes Forev
John Philip Sousa
QUAD QUAD STATE STATE
February22-24 2024
HighSchoolBandFestival MURRAY
Dr. Brent Johnson was appointed Director of Bands in June of 2022 and was previously Director of Athletic Bands at Murray State University beginning in the fall of 2020. Dr. Johnson completed his DMA in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Kentucky in 2021. Prior to his doctoral work, he spent 17 years as a high school band director in Kentucky, Texas and Washington He served 5 years as the Director of Bands at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington where the concert bands showed tremendous growth and garnered much attention for their improvement in quality and literature The Evergreen Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2019 NAfME All-Northwest Music Educator’s Conference and at the 2018 Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN The Evergreen Marching Band was a consistent Pacific Northwest Championships finalist and earned the silver medal in both 2016 and 2017
In Texas, Dr. Johnson spent one year as Director of Fine Arts for the Harlandale Independent School District in San Antonio where his responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the Fine Arts Programs, K-12, including Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Art, Mariachi, and Spirit. He also spent 5 years as the Director of Bands at Douglas MacArthur High School in San Antonio’s North East Independent School District. The band program at MacArthur High School grew to over 300 students and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2011.
Dr Johnson spent the first 6 years of his teaching career in Kentucky where his bands at Elizabethtown and Daviess County were state marching band finalists and all earned distinguished ratings in district and state concert band assessments. In 2008, the Kentucky Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity named Dr. Johnson "Outstanding Young Band Director" at the KMEA Convention.
Alongside his teaching, Dr Johnson is an avid visual consultant and drill writer for high school marching bands all over the country including the 2021 Bands of America Grand National Class A Champion He is also part of the team at Fannin Musical Productions where he oversees the visual design portion of the company and serves as head drill writer
Dr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Murray State University and a Master of Music in Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University. He is proud to have studied with such wonderful teachers as John Fannin, Dennis Johnson, Ray Conklin, Dr. Christopher Hughes, Dr. James Shearer, Dr. Cody Birdwell, and George Boulden. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the National Band Association
STATE UNIVERSITY
Adair County High School
Jordan Humphrees, Director
Angelica Bell, Flute
Kaydence Karnes, Flute
Hannah Arnold, Clarinet
Carlee Huckaby, Alto Sax
Jordan Grider, Euphonium
Kole Atwood, Tuba
Grant Adamson, Percussion
Ballard Memorial High School
Nolan Case, Director
Brenna Lucas, Clarinet
Gavin Dowdy, Clarinet
Legend Beauregard, Bass Clarinet
Michael Allen, Alto Sax
Jolan Gorostiza, F Horn
Chayton Gorostiza, Trumpet
Trace Cooper, Percussion
Barren County High School
Jacob Sturgeon, Director
Ben Hester, Alto Sax
Kaelin Burks, Trumpet
Haylie Matthews, F Horn
Kennison Milan, F Horn
Andrew Tackett, Mallets
Butler County High School
Justus Adams, Director
Chelsea Creek, Clarinet
Ty Seiler, Alto Sax
Brylee McClellan, Trumpet
Nivia Orellana, Trumpet
Evan Henderson, Trombone
Bowling Green High School
Anjali Sivaainkaran, Director
Logan Givens, Percussion
Brennan Miller, Flute
Leah Chen, Flute
Sabetai Valdez Nocelotl, Flute
Stella Miller, Oboe
Elli Trivizadakis, Clarinet
Kristiona Morrow, Clarinet
Vanessa Pineda, Clarinet
Peter Tooley, Bassoon
Cristian Orellana Hernandez, Trumpet
James Saenz, Trumpet
Neal Calvert, Trumpet
Simon Basham, Trumpet
Elizabeth Reeder, F Horn
Jazzmin Hazard, F Horn
Aaron Carver, Trombone
Charlie Smith, Trombone
Owen Somerville, Tuba
Caldwell County High School
Mason Henry, Director
AJ Morris, Flute
Elizabeth Quick, Flute
Peyton Currier, Clarinet
Gracie Oliver, Bass Clarinet
Abby Cummins, F Horn
Kaydan Scott, Trumpet
Addison Heppner, Euphonium
Lucas Evans, Euphonium
Nicole Hughes, Trombone
Gavin Hartle, Tuba
Calloway County High School
Nick Calcamuggio, Director
Morgan Armstrong, Flute
Idaly Alvarado, Clarinet
Jasmine Hornbuckle, Clarinet
Zuri Conner, Clarinet
Julianne Rudy, Oboe
Nathaniel Fowler, Bassoon
Peyton Johnson, Tenor Sax
Johnny Shouse, F Horn
Audrey Tabers, Trumpet
Bryson Barger, Euphonium
Conner Aang, Percussion
Samuel Rudy, Percussion
Ryan Edmonson, Timpani
Chester County High School
Marcus Montgomery, Director
Caleb Emerson, Clarinet
John Frix, Clarinet
Jacob Mutter, Alto Sax
Cordaisha Reddick, Tuba
Crittenden County High School
Alexander Benoit, Director
Cameron Hernandez, Clarinet
Hunter Kirk, Percussion
Christopher High School
Kayla Krapf, Director
Caleigh Furlow, Clarinet
Haley Kirkpatrick, Clarinet
Trenton Rose, Alto Sax
Nicholas Walker, Trumpet
Christian County High School
Anthony Darnall, Director
Jazlynn Russell, Flute
Brooklyn Perdomo, Clarinet
Daniyah Walton, Oboe
Leonard Pettit, Alto Sax
Nic Craft, Tenor Sax
Sophia Wilson, F Horn
Lacey Stewart, Trumpet
Connor Brown, Trumpet
Eli Boehman, Trumpet
Coalton Ingram, Trumpet
Sadie Bahr, Trombone
Selena Cuellar, Trombone
Theo Turner, Bass Trombone
Malaya Bass, Tuba
Cody Smith, Percussion
James Falvey, Percussion
Orlando Williams, Percussion
Dominique Davie, Mallets
Gabe Elkins, Mallets
Community Christian academy
Lyz Hornbeak, Director
Rhiley Cruz, Clarinet
Aidan Woods, Bass Clarinet
Timmy Hornbeak, Bassoon
Addison Stringer, Euphonium
Braden Hawkins, Percussion
Dawson Springs High School
Jennifer Fox, Director
Mackenzie Creekmur, Flute
Lexie Howton, Flute
Eryn Sizemore, Clarinet
Sophia Johnson, Bass Clarinet
Miley Lowe, Trombone
Daviess County High school
Nathan Clark, Director
Micah Stone, Clarinet
Franklin Simpson High School
Kyle Graves, Director
Cindy Huang, Flute
Meredith Burk, Flute
Dawn Wright, Bassoon
Hayden Eversole, Tenor Sax
Belle Phillips, F Horn
William Burgett, Trumpet
Aly Sievers, Trombone
Creed Phelps, Euphonium
Michael Carpenter, Percussion
Parker Phelps, Percussion
Glasgow High School
Johnathon Holmes, Director
Jason Willis, Alto Sax
Ryden Willis, Trumpet
Goreville High School
Barb Stanley, Director
Jayden McRoy, Clarinet
Mason Lipe, Alto Sax
Hamilton County High School
Andrew Hillyard, Director
Megan Fechter, Clarinet
Gavin Hansen, F Horn
Chyenne Allen, Trombone
Graves County High School
Richard Burchett, Director
Zachary Clark, Flute
Trey Wimsatt, Alto Sax
Dalton Darnal, Trumpet
Ty Flowers, Trumpet
Abigail Miller, Euphonium
Roland Downey, Tuba
Darin Stanley, Percussion
Henry County High School
Grayson Martin, Director
Mattie McCormick, Flute
Makenna McCadams, Clarinet
Abigail Black, Bassoon
Catelyne Bragg, F Horn
Isabelle Thornton, F Horn
Danielle Thornton, Trumpet
Ethan Fertig, Trombone
Lucas Claxton, Trombone
Cole Edwards, Euphonium
Rudy Webb, Euphonium Collin Bates, Tuba
Hilario Herrera, Percussion
Conner Callahan, Mallets
Heritage Hills High School
Keith Dossett, Director
Lynnsie Lochner, Flute
Bailey Welch, Clarinet
Zaylee Ford, Clarinet
Madelene Spellmeyer, Oboe
Kennedy O’Nan, Bass Clarinet
Owen Flohr, Trumpet
Holcomb RIII High School
Elizabeth White, Director
Lauren Baird, Flute
Bridget Vandiver, Clarinet
Aaron James Fisher, Alto Sax
Harmony White, Trumpet
Hopkins County
Central High School
John Grace, Director
Karynn Scruggs, Flute
Jordan Haw, Clarinet
Marc Oglesby, Alto Sax
Garrett Morgan, Tenor Sax
Tyrone Hopson, Tenor Sax
Kendee Creekmur, F Horn
Hopkinsville High School
Grant Jones, Director
Bailey Rogers, Flute
Laura Kaufmann, Flute
Isabella Rogers, Clarinet
Barry Kinney, Bass Clarinet
Alexander Rogers, Alto Sax
Brandon Nieto, Tenor Sax
Wyatt Williams, Trumpet
Joshua Brown, Trumpet
Landon Coker, Trombone
Barrett Wittenberg, Trombone
Hannah Wolfe, Euphonium
Benjamin Wolfe, Tuba
Theodore Marvel, Tuba
Kennett High School
Dustin Bush, Director
Edith Bush, Clarinet
Adrian Martinez, Bari Sax
Dalton Bailey, Euphonium
Emilie Coffer, Mallets
Allison Usrey, Percussion
Logan County High School
David Dayton, Director
Claire Dayton, Clarinet
Makayla Nichols, Clarinet
Paige Copen, Bass Clarinet
Dylan Trefethen, Bassoon
Jillian Christmas, Bassoon
Lilly Dayton, F Horn
Piper Wells, F Horn
Clare Perkins, Trumpet
Micayla Doyle, Trumpet
Luke Arnold, Trombone
Cooper Gregory, Percussion
Lyon County High School
Darrenger Huff, Director
Jackie Hall, Flute
Elena Christie, F Horn
Willa French, F Horn
Ben Pinnegar, Trumpet
Stuart French, Trumpet
Daniel Bounds, Euphonium
Audrey Yanez, Mallets
Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Randy Adams, Director
Madeline Stanley, Flute
Gavin Ball, Bari Sax
Cameron Leet, F Horn
Alexis Hill, Trumpet
Devon Carlton, Trumpet
Sophia Wilson, Trumpet
Judah Maddox, Euphonium
Samuel Page, Tuba
Joe Thomas, Percussion
Noah Schneider, Percussion
Shepherd Brown, Percussion
Chase Brummer, Timpani
Massac County High School
Gavin Hayes, Director
Emma Hollis, Clarinet
Kyle Hannan, Tenor Sax
Chris Puckett, Bari Sax
Jake Gronau, Trumpet
Alex Larrison, Percussion
Mt. Vernon Township High School
David Mateyka, Director
Aiden Bean, Flute
Karlee Benedict, Flute
Victoria Bocock, Clarinet
Sam Brown, F Horn
Landrey O’Neal, Trumpet
Ray Brown-Cates, Trombone
Andrew Hays, Percussion
Natalie Warren, Timpani
Mater Dei High School
Jordan Profitt, Director
Olivia Kunz, Flute
Ella Marron, Clarinet
Eleanor Miller, Clarinet
Ella Paterson Heier, Clarinet
Reagan Porter, Trumpet
Robert Klostermann, Trombone
Jon Marble, Percussion
Sylvia Heiligenstein, Mallets
Mayfield High School
Darrin Abren, Director
Emily Dillon, Clarinet
Roselia Gaberiel, Clarinet
Samantha McGaha, Clarinet
Diego Montes, Bass Clarinet
Abby Sanchez, Alto Sax
Revil Miller, Trumpet
Aiden Neale, Trombone
Eric Velasquez, Tuba
McLean County High School
Ryan Rue, Director
Kotten Meter, Clarinet
Isaiah Sosh, Clarinet
Lily Bowlds, Clarinet
Caden Foster, Alto Sax
CW Morris, Alto Sax
Jacey Hallman, Trombone
Scarlet Kidd, Mallets
Marshall County High School
Ronnie Payton, Director
Lindsay Baker, Alto Sax
Nick Payton, Trumpet
Jayden Rupp, Euphonium
Kayla Keeling, Mallets
McCracken County High School
John Lovell, Director
Addison Fawkes, Flute
Alonna Fluharty, Flute
Eden-Bridge Hayes, Flute
Hannah Docimo, Oboe
Mary Pendergrass, Clarinet
Masen Kloss, Clarinet
Ian Cunningham, Alto Sax
Cristopher Tucker, F Horn
Hudson Andrus, F Horn
Shelby Turner, F Horn
Jaden Yarbro, Trumpet
Brandon Cook, Trombone
Briley Smith, Trombone
Abe Taylor, Trombone
Logan Henson, Tuba
Muhlenberg County High School
Troy Stovall, Director
Adrienne Fauver, Flute
Aubree Lindsey, Flute
Cynthia Garcia, Flute
Olivia Colston, Oboe
Kelsey Gillem, Clarinet
Remy Shocklee, Clarinet
Keyona Collins, Bass Clarinet
Owen Halcomb, Bassoon
Arrah Luckett, Alto Sax
Ella Purcell, F Horn
Gabe Thomas, F Horn
Sawyer Page, Trumpet
Evvie Arnold, Trombone
Seth Pouge, Trombone
Willow Strader, Trombone
Corey Crick, Tuba
John Gossar, Tuba
Murray High School
Tim Zeiss, Director
Andrea Morales-Cano, Flute
Leah Jenkins, Oboe
Kailyn Lutz, Clarinet
Fern Carron, Clarinet
Rianna Peng, Clarinet
Sage Mize-Harper, Clarinet
Omar Khatib, Bass Clarinet
Ethan Peng, Alto Sax
Kerry Vu, Alto Sax
Eli Orbeck, Tenor Sax
Christian Watkins, Bari Sax
Selvam Antony, Bari Sax
Lucas Tucker, F Horn
Mila Hicks, F Horn
Xiomara Eugenio, F Horn
Thomas Bucy, F Horn
Maddox Robinson, F Horn
Giselle French, Trumpet
Emma Pogue, Trumpet
Tyler Marcum, Trumpet
Josh Sloan, Trombone
Amolika Chanda, Euphonium
Logan Rader, Tuba
Jackson Clark Tuba
Norris County High School
Gregg Neff, Director
Laney Ingram, Flute
Jaleigh Sullivan, Flute
Journee Williams, Flute
Hailei Yager, Oboe
Elizabeth Bramlet, Clarinet
Taylor Corbett, Tenor Sax
Elise Hortin, Trumpet
Hayden Bowles, Euphonium
North Hardin High School
Kelsey Dunn, Director
Blaine Dejourdy, Clarinet
Cadence Ward, F Horn
Aidan Wenzel, Trumpet
Kevin Early, Trumpet
Jaden Latiola, Trombone
JaShaun Bell, Trombone
Thomas Logsdon, Euphonium
Obion County Central High School
Johnathan Byrd, Director
Megan Reynolds, Flute
Ryleigh Ulen, Clarinet
Luis Rodriguez, Alto Sax
Brayden Kerr, Trumpet
Vienna High School
Joshua Windings, Director
Paducah Tilghman High School
Briley McBride, Flute
Brianna White, Clarinet
James Gregory, Director
Tessa Martin, Flute
Azlyn Goodyke, Oboe
Ivy Wenzel, Clarinet
H.G. Page, Bassoon
Terrance Robinson, F Horn
Nathan Franklin, Trumpet
Asher Griffith, Trumpet
Keaton Thompson, Trumpet
Ben Coltharp, Trombone
Marc Garrett, Trombone
Tyrone Donaldson, Tuba
Brody Newbern, Percussion
Jacob Hodge, Timpani
Russellville High School
Trevor Cardwell, Director
Aliza Wilson, F Horn
Ella Kate Parrish, F Horn
Juan Cenobio-Leonardo, Trombone
PQ Perez, Trombone
Patrick Thomason, Tuba
Scotts Hill High School
Jordan Ashby, Director
Lillian Thurston, Flute
Alyssa Bingham, Clarinet
Jayden Bingham, Clarinet
Julius Bielinski, Bari Sax
Alyssa Hayes, F Horn
Jackson Glover, Trumpet
Konnor McCadams, Trombone
Connor Rhodes, Tuba
Will Vineyard, Percussion
Todd County Central High School
Mike DiPasquale, Director
Hayley Orberson, Flute
Jeremy Tomlinson, Flute
Caitlin Orberson, Clarinet
Summer MacLaine, Trombone
Bella Cruz, Euphonium
Kris Strange, Tuba
Trigg County High School
Andrew Mroch, Director
Devin Mackey, Flute
Jessie Paulter, Flute
Mari Kate Ricks, Clarinet
Aaron Sanchez, Alto Sax
Xander Slover, Tenor Sax
Kerra Johnson, F Horn
Blake Childers, Trumpet
Cooper Brame, Trumpet
Aiden Robinson, Trombone
Jaxson Spray, Trombone
Jabrei Lucas, Tuba
Union County High School
Hunter Sanders, Director
Aniken Rector, Flute
Jenna McClary, Tenor Sax
Johnathan Hargrove, Euphonium
Izaiha Mauney, Euphonium
Dakota Rushing, Percussion
Micah Slaton, Percussion
University Heights Academy
Josh Hill, Director
Jeevan Poulose, Trombone
Warren Central High School
Jared Sells, Director
Hailey Sandidge, Flute
Hilary Perez, Clarinet
Dillon Meador, Bari Sax
Tanner Wilken, F Horn
Xavier Workings, Trumpet
Waverly Central High School
Joseph Bullington, Director
Scarlett Gant, Flute
Tarra Ferguson, Clarinet
Kensley Crowell, Clarinet
Allicyn Tillman, Clarinet
Zach Reynolds, Trombone
Terra Medling, Tuba
Webster county High School
Lucas Morgan, Director
Alex Cook, Flute
Rylan Alfred, Clarinet
Christopher Rivera, Bass Clarinet
Rodney Williams, F Horn
Chloe Lovelace, Euphonium
Lily Baldwin, Euphonium
William Henry Harrison High School
Rebecca Cichy, Director
Anthony Velds, Clarinet
Zachary Owen, Mallets
Murray State Bands
Racer Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Director
The 200+ member Racer Band is made up of students from nearly every academic major on campus and provides entertainment at all MSU home football games The Racer Band performs at high school band competitions and hosts the Festival of Champions on campus every year.
Wind Ensemble
Dr. Brent Johnson, Conductor
Symphonic Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Conductor
Both concert bands are open to all students regardless of major Each ensemble performs contemporary and traditional wind band repertoire and present several concerts each semester. Audition is required for Wind Ensemble.
Racer Pep Band
Dr. Ashley Shoupe, Director
The Racer Pep Band performs at all the Men's and Women's home basedball games and travels to tournament games in March. This group is open to any student on campus and meets NovemberMarch each year
Jazz Ensembles
Dr. Todd Hill, Director
Jazz ensembles at Murray State have a rich tradition of excellence. Jazz bands are open to any student on campus regardless of major and require a short audition for seating placement at the beginning of each semester.
Quad State Band Festival Opening Concert
6:00PM - Lovett Auditorium
Traveling Music Michael Burritt (b. 1962)
Jeff Nelsen, Horn & Percussion Ensemble
Ashlynn Canler | John Cinotto | Lily Cohoon | James Hackett
Micah Lehman | Zhou Merchant |. Christopher Powell
Hannah Pritchett | Conner Viets
Czárdás Vittorio Monti (1869-1922)
Jeff Nelsen & Ashley Cumming, Horn | Christy D’Ambrosio, Piano
Suite for Tuba, MVT
1. Don Haddad
Logan Henson, Tuba Solo & Christy D’Ambrosio, Piano Congratulations to Logan Henson for being named the 2024 Quad State Soloist of the year.
Logan Henson is a senior at McCracken County High School under the direction of John Lovell. Logan has played in the top performing Wind Ensemble at McCracken for 2 years. He participated in the AllDistrict Concert Band for 1 year and the All-District Symphonic band for 2 years. This year, he was awarded the opportunity to participate in the All-State concertband. Logan has participated in other honor bands including Quad State and WKU honor band. He has studied under Dr. French for 2 years and is a 2023 Governors School for the Arts Alumni.
PROGRAM TO BE SELECTED FROM:
Strike up the Band
Tank from “Cowboy Bebop”
Yes or No
Sing, Sing. Sing
Together Houses
Flying Home
North Beack Breakdown
Saxophones
Jake Glatczak- alto/flute
Gavin Jones - alto
Declan Bingham - tenor*
Nick Mehne - tenor
Cammy Pillow - baritone
Trumpets
Bek Schmidt
Max Welch*
Ryn Jenkins
Zack Mitchell
Alyssa Shrader
Trombones
Dillon Smith*
Jeremiah Morris
Joey Noble
Shelby Starks
Rhythm
Abbie Tompkins - piano
Zhou Merchant - vibes/piano
Preston Frensley - guitar
Sean Shelton - bass
Nelson Youngblood IV - drums*
Evan Carlton - drums/latin*
George & Ira Gershwin, arr. Sammy Nestico
Yoko Kanno, arr. John Wasson
Wayne Shorter, arr. Mike Tomaro
Louis Prima, arr. Jimmy Mundy
Vince Norman
Lionel Hampton, ar.. Milt Buckner
John Oddo
Bonne Terre, MO
Benton , KY
Paducah, KY
Evansville, IN
Evansville, IN Memphis, TN
Evansville, IN
Murray, KY
Hopkinsville, KY
Elizabethtown, KY Murray, KY
Murray, KY
Maryland Heights, MO
Benton, KY
Jazz Orchestra
Madisonville, KY
Shelby, KY
Mayfield, KY
Murray, KY
Union City, TN
Madisonville, KY
Lovett
Auditorium
Thursday Feb. 22, 2024 6:00PM
Dr. Todd Hill
Director of Jazz Studies and Ensembles
thill@murraystate.edu
departmentof musicpresents
2/23/2024
featuring guest artist
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Full Circle Lux Perpetua short intermission
Glass Bead Game Come Sunday
Ryan George
Frank Ticheli
James Beckel
Dr. Brent Johnson, conductor
76th Annual Qua
Honor Band Fest
Omar Thomas b. 1978 b. 1958 b. 1948 b. 1982
Murray State Wind Ensemble Murray State Wind Ensemble
Flute
Hailey Luscombe*
Amelia Lutz
Diamond Edwards
Emma Bliss
Taylor Droy
Oboe
Trey Fuller *
Nathan Shepperd
Taylor Boase
Clarinet
Emily Stalker*
Winter Johnson
Ellie Harris
Nicole Payne
Michaela Garske
Alex Mills
Emily McAdams
Paige Weising
Briah Cook
Saxophone
Nicholas Mehne*
Soprano & Alto
Liberty Guyette
Alto
Hannah Nix
Alto
Declan Bingham
Tenor
Jake Glatczak
Baritone
Paducah, KY
Saint Meinrad, IN
Louisville, KY
Grant, MI
Troy, IL O’Fallon. IL
Dover, TN
Paris, TN
Evansville, IN
Paducah, KY
O’Fallon, IL
Evansville, IN
Cadiz, KY
Shepherdsville, KY
Owensboro, KY
New Baden, IL
Paducah, KY
Evansville, IN
Paducah, KY
Murray, KY
Paducah, KY
Bonne Terre, MO
Horn
Lauren Tadlock*
Logan Cherry
Alana Austill
Raegan Stutzman
Trumpet
Ryn Jenkins*
Bek Schmidt
Zack Mitchell
Andy Slown
Alyssa Shrader
Trombone
Shelby Starks
Jeremiah Morris
Joey Noble
Airen Yocum
Jared Chance-Martin*
Euphonium
Dillon Smith*
Noah Siegfried
Tuba
Gabriel Cowles*
Noah Tolar
Ethan Pennycuick
Percussion
Lily Cohoon*
Zhou Merchant
Micah Lehman
Hannah Pritchett
James Hackett
John Cinotto
Owensboro, KY
Hopkinsville, KY
Campbell, MO
Lewisport, KY Murray, KY
Cordova, TN
Hopkinsville, KY
Radcliff, KY
Sonora, KY
Benton, KY
Murray, KY
Maryland Heights, MO
Utica, KY
Hopkinsville, KY
Murray, KY
New Baden, IL
Glasgow, KY
Paducah, KY
Eureka, MO
Boonville, IN
Shelby, KY
Newburg, IN
Calvert City, KY
Calhoun, KY
Shelbyville, KY
Harp
Aubrey Shumway
Detroit, MI
Dr. Brent Johnson, conductor Dr. Brent Johnson, conductor
Full Circle (2019)
In 1997 I found myself in Indianapolis, sitting in rehearsals with the Bands of America (Music for All) National Honor Band Ray Cramer was the conductor I was an 18 year old senior horn player on the tail end of a high school career that was loaded with B.O.A. experiences: marching band championships, concert band festivals, 3 years at the summer symposium, and now I was closing out that chapter with the National Honor Band. Those 4 years and the experiences that I had at those BOA events were profound and were major motivators in my decision to pursue music as a profession.
When Ray contacted me about writing this piece I was struck immediately with the realization that my life had come full circle. I was now doing what I had set out to do 22 years ago and would be returning as a composer to the same honor band, with the same conductor, and the place that had been the catalyst for so much.
Full Circle is intended to be a musical homecoming Something that exudes joy, excitement, and optimism. This piece is not so much about compositional cleverness (a thematic idea that bookends the work is the only real reference to circularity in the piece), but a reflection of the past and it’s influence on the present and the future. It is an embrace of those moments and experiences that positively change our lives.
Full Circle was written in honor of Ray Cramer and the 2019 Music For All National High School Honor Band and was made possible through Music for All and the Friends of Ray Cramer Consortium
The Glass Bead Game (1997)
“The Glass Bead Game” is a Horn Conerto loosely based on the Herman Hesse novel of the same title. In the first movement, two main themes dominate. The work opens with a bi-tonal motif based in Eb Major and A Major. This musical idea is meant to represent Herman Hesse’s existential philosophy about life which is reflected in his novel. Simply put, Hesse believed that man exists as an indivisual in a purposeless universe that is basically hostile. This conflict between man and his enviroment is represented by the juxtaposition of the two keys His main character of this novel in fact succumbs to the cold waters of a glacier fed lake at the end of this book. The other main theme is a leitmotif representing the main character, Joseph Knecht; and is first stated by the Solo Horn at Letter A of the first movement. The dialogue of this theme between horn and flute and piccolo was inspired by the introduction of the Music Master in this novel. Joseph Knecht meets the Music Master, who accepts our main character into the intellectual society of the elite Castalia.
Lux Perpetua (2021)
LUX PERPETUA was composed in memory of two musicians - Laura Onwudinanti, and Jack Stewart - both clarinet players, both members of the Baylor University And who together lost their lives in a tragic automobile accident. In composing the music, I have kept in mind their natures, the one, Jack, more introspective and the other, Laura, more gregarious and spontaneous. These qualities in the music, which attempts to capture their light in sound.
The title, “Lux Perpetua,” translates to “Perpetual Light,” and is taken from the Latin Requiem Mass, drawn from the final line of its Lux Aeterna: “Et lux perpetua luceat eis” - “And let perpetual light shine upon them.” I have come to see this light as both protecter and illuminator so that two kinds of light illuminate the work, the one soft and meditative, the other sparkling and effervescent.
The work begins softly ad gently in the clarinets with a rising motive of a perfect twelfth followed by a falling motive of a minor third - this falling motive becoming laced into the entire fabric of the piece, sometimes as transition material, or as material of unexpected contrast, and still other times flowering into the main melody.
The melody is longing and noble in quality, and is constructed in a way that suggests the notion of infinity: its accompanying harmony depicts a kind of bellows or the act of breathing in and out, perpetually. The harmony never settles on a final chord, but instead moves to a built-in modulation, compelling the melody to repeat itself in a chain of new keys. The pulsing of the harmony is the lifeblood of the work.
A dramatic contrast to this calm pulsation, an energetic section arises, which nevertheless itself springs from new themes, but from the main motive and main melody, now in a glittering light, surrounding the lyrical lines. building to a tremendous climax.
The final coda serves as a meditation, climbing higher and softer, a gentle rocking back and forth as the work closes, bathed in soft light in a fragile ascent to the heavens.
Come Sunday (2018)
Come Sunday is two-movement tribute to the Hammond organ’s center role in black worship services. The first movement, Testimony, follows the Hammond organ as it readies the congregation’s hearts, minds, and spirits to receive The Word via a magical union of Bach, blues jazz, and R&B. The second movement, Shout!, is a virtuosic celebration - the frenzied and joyus climactic moments when The Spirit has taken over the service.
The title is a direct nod to Duke Ellington, who held an inspired love for classical music and allowed it to influence his own work in a multitude of ways. To all the black musicians in wind ensemble who were given an opportunity after opportunity to celebrate everyone else’s music but our own - I see you and I am you This one’s for the culture
