r i s h a m G Middle School Honors Band
Round Rock Independent School District presents the
r i s h a m G Middle School Honors Band
Betty Bierschenk-Pierce Conductor
Brigette Parsons
Henry Schraub
Ron Pierce
Dave Reyes
Associate Conductor
Guest Conductor
Guest Conductor
Guest Conductor
The 67th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic December 19, 2013
8:30 a.m.
Ballroom 375E McCormick Place West Chicago, Illinois
Congratulatory letters
The Grisham Middle School Band The Grisham Middle School Band is honored to be performing at the Midwest Clinic for the third time with prior performances in 2003, 2008, and 2013. Grisham Middle School is one of ten middle schools in the Round Rock Independent School District located in Northwest Austin about twenty minutes from downtown. It is an ethnically diverse school with 46% Caucasian, 27% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 6% African-American, and 6% other student population. Grisham is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme World School with a student population of 672 with approximately 210 in the band program. The IB Middle Years Programme curriculum is incorporated throughout the school’s academic areas. In the IB curriculum, the fine arts are not considered an elective class, but rather an essential core to the learning process. Learning how to learn is as important as the content of the subjects taught. The Grisham Middle School band program includes grades six through eight. The beginning band is divided into eight homogeneously grouped classes. The seventh and eighth grade students are divided into three levels of performing concert bands: Honors Band, Select Symphonic Band, and Symphonic Band. All classes meet daily for forty-five minutes. Students in the Honors and Select Symphonic Bands attend a section rehearsal each week. Students in all three grades are strongly encouraged, but not required, to take private lessons. The Grisham private teaching staff is an integral part of the Grisham Band program. The students are provided an opportunity to increase their individual musical skills, knowledge, and proficiency through the private study of their instrument with teachers selected by the director and funded, when needed, by the Westwood Area Band Boosters. The private teaching staff at Grisham includes teachers who have either completed their music degree or who are currently pursuing their degree. The University of Texas at Austin is a vital resource for the selection of these teachers.
Grisham Middle School Band Private Teaching Staff Beth Behning, Flute Dr. Amy Burgus, Oboe
Grisham Middle School Administration Kim Winters, Principal Paige Hadziselimovic, Assistant Principal Dennis Hardesty, Assistant Principal
Julia Windle, Bassoon Julie Linder, Clarinet Kevin Gibbs, Saxophone
Westwood High School Band Directors
Gilbert Elorreaga, Trumpet
Jack Green
Angela Finley, Horn
David Jennison
Dr. Billy Gayman, Trombone
Thomas Turpin
Dusty Steinle, Euphonium/Tuba
Sarah Santa Cruz
Dave Reyes, Percussion
The Round Rock Independent School District Round Rock ISD is located in southern Williamson County and northwest Travis County and includes the City of Round Rock and portions of the City of Austin and the City of Cedar Park. The area covers 110 square miles encompassing high tech manufacturing and urban retail centers, suburban neighborhoods, and farm and ranch land. Roughly 46,500 students attend the district’s five high schools, ten middle schools, thirty-three elementary schools, and two alternative learning centers. During the past five years, the number of students has increased 15%, and enrollment continues to grow by nearly 1,000 students per year. The district has a diverse ethnic base with a student population that is approximately 9% African American, 11.8% Asian/Pacific Islander, 30% Hispanic, 0.5% Native American, and 44.7% White with 77 languages spoken throughout the district. The annual dropout rate for students in grades 9-12 is just 1.3% and more than 77% of the district’s graduating seniors take the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, scoring well above state and national averages. Round Rock Independent School District Administration Dr. Steve Flores
Robbin Gesch
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support
Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora
JoyLynn Occhiuzzi
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and Administration
Executive Director of Community Relations and Legal Services
Ramiro Flores
Pat Reddin
Deputy Superintendent of Business Administration
Executive Director of Assessment and Audit
Carla Amacher
Jane Vigliotti
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education
Executive Director of Human Resources Services
Rebecca Donald
Jim VanZandt
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
Director of Fine Arts
Round Rock Independent School District Board of Trustees Catherine Hanna, President Diane Cox, Vice President Claudio Cruz, Trustee Charles Chadwell, Trustee Terri Romere, Trustee Paul Tisch, Trustee Pauline Law, Trustee
Mark Gabehart
Executive Director of Information Services
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock, Texas, with a population of 100,000 , is located 15 miles north of Austin in the Central Texas hill country. It has an award winning park system and is one of the safest cities in the United States. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. Round Rock has maintained a high quality of life while becoming a major center for economic development in Central Texas.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital of the State of Texas and the county seat of Travis County. Home to 842,600 people, it is the fourth largest city in Texas and the eleventh largest in the United States. Austin was the third fastest growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. Austin’s official slogan promotes the city as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues.
Program Flashing Winds.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................Jan Van der Roost (DeHaske 1989, Grade 4, Performance Time: 4:11)
Flashing Winds was commissioned by “Het muziekverbond van West-Vlaanderen” and is dedicated to the “Arlequino” youth band. It highlights some of the best abilities of a concert band’s sections with quick yet flowing and moderately pitched woodwinds moving directly alongside a fanfaric brass section. Colorfully and fully instrumented, this piece speeds towards its finale without any tempo changes. The chord-blocks, which characterize the introduction, unite this virtuoso piece by reappearing in the end. This is a favored piece of Japanese audiences.
Aggressivo..............................................................................................................................…………..……………………………………………………..Randall D. Standridge (Grand Mesa 2013, Grade 2, Performance Time 2:15)
Aggressivo is a piece intended for young band that explores aggressive rhythmic patterns and musical expression. The piece begins and is centered around a two measure motive that is heard in melodic, accompaniment, ostinato, and fragmented forms throughout the piece. A secondary, chromatic and dissonant idea is introduced in the middle of the piece. This encourages young players to embrace dissonance and learn more about chromatic/alternate fingerings. The piece culminates with both main ideas battling against one another before the final resolution. Henry Schraub, Conductor
Three Celtic Dances.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................Brian Balmages (FJH 2008, Grade 4, Performance Time: 7:23)
I. Reel
II. Air
III. Jig
Based on three different Scottish dance forms, this work explores a wide variety of Celtic styles using authentic and original material. Lively and spirited, Movement I, Reel is based on the tune “The Last Pint of Ale”. The melody itself never changes - the movement is constantly developed with surrounding material. “Well May I Behold My Faithful Brown-Hair’d Maid” is the basis for the second movement, Air. It is presented as a slow, lyrical melody first introduced in a chamber music setting before a brief transition to a full ensemble presentation in an emotional and powerful setting. The final movement, Jig, is loosely based on the tune “Highlander’s Jig” and uses the most recognized Celtic dance form. This movement weaves in and out of the source material as it also explores original ideas. Three Celtic Dances may be performed as a whole, but each movement stands on its own if played individually.
Rumble on 6th Street...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................Brian Beck (Manuscript 2013, Grade 5/3, Performance Time: 3:53)
Rumble on 6th Street was commissioned by and dedicated to the Grisham Middle School Honors Band and Betty Bierschenk-Pierce, Conductor, for their 2013 Midwest performance. “I am so proud of my students as well as my private lesson staff. I can’t imagine life without either and I would love a piece that would honor both … and I want it to be fun!” Drawing inspiration from the many concert venues and night clubs on Austin’s very own 6th Street, composer Brian Beck captures the essence of funk music with a potpourri of style markings, aggressive dynamics, static harmonies, rhythmic/metric variations, and, don’t forget, screaming solos. Just like on 6th Street, anything goes! Julie Linder Clarinet
Kevin Gibbs Saxophone
Gilbert Elorreaga Trumpet
Dr. Billy Gayman Trombone
Greg Battista Tuba
Dave Reyes Drum Set
Brigette Parsons, Conductor
Adventum........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Jared Barnes (Alfred 2013, Grade 3, Performance Time: 3:56)
Written to depict the events and stories surrounding the first Christmas, Adventum captures the anticipation, arrival, and celebration of the holidays through the use of sacred and secular carols alike. The piece opens with a quiet setting of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” which eventually gives way to an Angel’s proclamation to the shepherds. Soon after, all the bells of the world begin to ring on their own accord, building in celebration with the traditional “Ukrainian Bell Carol” before drawing the piece to an exciting conclusion against a cacophony of ringing bells. Ron Pierce, Conductor
Zululand............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Kevin Mixon (Carl Fischer 2013, Grade 1, Performance Time: 2:11)
Zululand was written to honor the Zulu people of South Africa. The Zulu were once part of a great nation, called Zululand by some, who suffered for many years under Apartheid. During this regime, Zulus and other Africans were oppressed and prevented from enjoying full freedoms such as choosing where to live and the right to vote. Mixon wrote an original melody and orchestration based loosely on a Zulu call-and-response song called “Shaka Mamba” which opens the piece. The middle section is a little setting of “Nikosi Sikelel’ Afrika”, which is a hymn tune turned rallying cry during Apartheid by the Zulu people. It is now the South African national anthem. The end is very spirited like the beginning, capturing the triumphant return of freedoms for all South Africans with the end of Apartheid. Though this piece is at a very accessible level for young players, it has the potential to communicate a powerful message.
Sushi Funk.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Chris Crockarell (Row-Loff 1993, Grade 3, Performance Time: 3:22)
Chris Crockarell writes this about the piece: “Sushi Funk was written during a Tower of Power and Spyro Gyra listening-phase of my life. I was anxious to make the concert percussion ensemble play with a funk attitude while using the keyboard nuances rhythmically to create somewhat busier lines for the ensemble. I’m often asked if my title came from a bad restaurant experience but, alas, one of those moments of sitting in front of the computer, staring at the screen telling myself, “You HAVE to title this tune!” When that happens, you never know what you’ll spit out.” Dave Reyes, Conductor
Anchors Aweigh........................................................................................................................................................Capt. Alfred Miles and Chas. Zimmermann/Briegel (Alfred 1907, Grade 4, Performance Time: 2:56 )
Anchors Aweigh is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy, and as a result, the song is strongly associated with the United States Navy. It was composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmerman with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. When he composed Anchors Aweigh, Zimmerman was a lieutenant and had been bandmaster of the United States Naval Academy Band since 1887. Miles was Midshipman First Class at the Academy, in the class of 1907, and asked Zimmerman to assist him in composing a song for that class, to be used as a football march. Another Academy Midshipman, Royal Lovell (class of 1926) later wrote what would be adopted into the song as its third verse.
Gr i s h a m
The 2013-2014
Middle School Honors Band
Flute
Bassoon
Trombone
Erin Lim
Morgan Smith
Varun Somarouthu
NaHyun Bae
Sofia Martinez
Roshan Mara
Jessie Park
Justin Carver
Albert Cho
Mona Dong Devika Patel Carlos Lobera Hailin Zhang Katie Hsiao
Alto Saxophone Chase Scelsi
Bass Trombone
Selinda Qiu
Andrew Ji
Phoenix Wang
Ann Marie Huttenhower
Tenor Saxophone
Megan Patterson
Nico Goff
Varshaa Alexis Oboe Julia Bowers Erin Frederickson Clarinet Kevin Huang Hamsini Nathan Bella Cowart Jayden Bentler Abby Jungmann Christine Groves Kaithland Howard
Gabby Garcia
Baritone Saxophone
Euphonium Julia Crowley Noah Rivera Matthew Wyzykowski
Andrew Dyar Tuba Trumpet
Aven Wright-Egbert
Jake Morrow
Griffin McFaul
Sameer Jain
Connor Cowman
Daniel Victor
Brandon Moon
Michael Diaz Garrett Donigan
Percussion
Daniel Lobera
Andrew Lu
Zachary Castles
Chinmaya Andukuri
Frank Gover
Mason Flood
Julia Marza
Joey Huttenhower
Horn Bass Clarinet
Zach Siegel
Spencer Sartin
Gina Riemenschneider Travis Cain Johanna Tatum
Scott Hall Arthur Farnsworth Jake Palermo
Sections
Flutes Back Row: NaHyun Bae Carlos Lobera Mona Dong Hailin Zhang Varshaa Alexis Front Row: Katie Hsiao Megan Patterson Devika Patel Ann Marie Huttenhower Jessie Park Erin Lim
Clarinets Bella Cowart Kevin Huang Jayden Bentler Hamsini Nathan Kaithland Howard Christine Groves Abby Jungmann Spencer Sartin
Double Reeds Back Row: Erin Frederickson, Julia Bowers Front Row: Justin Carver, Sofia Martinez, Morgan Smith
Trumpets Daniel Lobera Garrett Donigan Julia Marza Frank Gover Daniel Victor Zachary Castles Michael Diaz Jake Morrow Sameer Jain
Saxophones Andrew Dyar, Nico Goff, Selinda Qiu, Phoenix Wang, Chase Scelsi
Horns Johanna Tatum Zachary Siegel Travis Cain Gina Riemenschneider
Tubas and Euphoniums Griffin McFaul Aven Wright-Egbert Connor Cowman Brandon Moon Noah Rivera Julia Crowley Matthew Wyzykowski
Percussion Chinmaya Andukuri Andrew Lu Adrianna Madison Scott Hall Mason Flood Arthur Farnsworth Jake Palermo Joey Huttenhower
Trombones Andrew Ji, Roshan Mara, Varun Somarouthu, Albert Cho, Gabby Garcia
2012-2013 Grisham Middle School Honors Band Flute Maggie Lupo Erin Lim Mona Dong NaHyun Bae Jessie Park Mia Benedek Hailen Zhang Gwyneth Donovan Marie Yamamoto Devika Patel Ariel Sweet Oboe Joseph McDonagh Erin Frederickson
Bassoon Keval Patel Sofia Martinez Morgan Smith Bb Clarinet Rachel Horvit Quinn Buoy Kimberly Park Felicia Ju Danielle Kirklin Aurellia Himawan Kevin Huang Hamsini Nathan Bass Clarinet Colton Cooper Liam Matsumoto
Alto Saxophone Chase Scelsi Selinda Qiu Victoria Pratt Tenor Saxophone Nico Goff Baritone Saxophone Andrew Dyar Trumpet Ethan Twining Jake Morrow Daniel Victor Andrew Grosvenor Michael Diaz Garrett Donigan Cole Perley Ricky Scott
Horn Courtney Ogle Alex Andrews Sarah Johnson Gina Riemenschneider Camron Lennon Trombone Jack Scelsi Delaney Nash Alfonso Garza Abhishek Khare Ellen Kainer Roshan Mara Garrett Serafine Euphonium Caitlin Dickey Noah Rivera Aaron Blackley
Tuba Jason Siegel Aven Wright-Egbert Griffin McFaul Percussion Andrew Lu Rohan Nair Brendan Hsu Ankit Dhar Jake Hebert Adrianna Madison
Conductors
Betty Bierschenk-Pierce Betty Bierschenk-Pierce is in her seventeenth year as Director of Bands at Grisham Middle School in the Round Rock Independent School District. A music educator for 32 years, Mrs. Pierce has taught in Houston, Austin, and Midland, Texas before coming to the Round Rock area. The Grisham Middle School Honors Band has earned consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards and “Best in Class” awards at various festivals throughout Texas. In 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, the Grisham Honors Band was a finalist in the TMEA Honor Band Competition. The Grisham Middle School Band was named the Texas Music Educators Association Class CC Honor Band in 2009. In 2003 and again in 2008, Mrs. Pierce and the Grisham Honors Band performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In addition, the Grisham Band was selected as a recipient of the coveted John Philip Sousa Sudler Cup in 2003. In 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Grisham Honors Band was named a Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Winner. In 2011, the Grisham Band received the Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Middle School Band Award for Texas. Mrs. Pierce holds both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music from the University of Texas at Austin. While a student at the University, she performed with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Lee and the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra under the guidance of Dr. A. Clyde Roller. Mrs. Pierce’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. She is an active clinician and adjudicator in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, and Virginia. Mrs. Pierce has been married to Ron Pierce for 30 wonderful years and is the proud mother of two children, Ashleigh (27) and Austin (25).
Brigette Parsons Brigette Parsons is currently the Assistant Band Director at Grisham Middle School, where she conducts the Select Symphonic and Symphonic Bands as well as instructs beginning brass. Mrs. Parsons is in her sixth year as a music educator in Texas. She was Assistant Band Director at Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, Texas, for four years and Adjunct Faculty at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, for three years before coming to Grisham. Mrs. Parsons is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education (2004) and a Master of Music Performance (2006). While at UT, she studied French horn with Prof. Wayne Barrington and Prof. Patrick Hughes, and she performed in numerous ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Graduate Opera, Chamber Winds, and the University of Texas Longhorn Band. As an undergraduate, she was named a Nelson G. Patrick Honors Teaching Fellow working with music and human learning professor Dr. Robert Duke. As a graduate student, she was the Teaching Assistant for the horn studio. Currently, Mrs. Parsons is an active freelance musician, clinician, and private teacher. Brigette Parsons is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Tau Beta Sigma. Her husband John is also a band director at Westlake High School in Austin. They live in Leander, Texas, outside of Austin with their dog, Rosie and are expecting their first child this spring.
Henry Schraub After 42 years in education, Henry Schraub retired as Director of Fine Arts from the Birdville Independent School District in 2003 having served in that position for 27 years. Prior to this position, Mr. Schraub taught band and choir in the Seguin and Bishop, Texas, Independent School Districts and was the Supervisor of Music and Director of Bands with the Weatherford, Texas, Independent School District. Mr. Schraub’s bands were consistent Sweepstakes winners in UIL competition, and the Bishop and Weatherford bands ranked third in the State Honor Band competition sponsored by the Texas Music Educators Association. The Weatherford band also was selected “Best in Class” at the Tri-State Music Festival in Enid, Oklahoma. A number of his former students have pursued musical careers throughout the United States. The Birdville Independent School District music, theatre, and visual arts programs during his tenure distinguished themselves at both the state and national levels. After eight years, he recently retired as the conductor of The Greater Fort Worth Community Band but continues to sing in his church choir. Mr. Schraub received his Bachelor of Music with honors and Master of Music degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and completed additional work at the University of North Texas and Texas Women’s University. Mr. Schraub is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Beta Mu National Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity. He is a Past-President of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Schraub received the 2000 Outstanding Music Educator Award for Texas from the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations. He was named the 2002-2003 Music Administrator of the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference. The theatre at Birdville High School was dedicated in his honor and named the Henry Schraub Theatre for Performing Arts. In 2007 Mr. Schraub was inducted in the Phi Beta Mu Texas Bandsmasters Hall of Fame. He is honored to be included in this concert and is extremely proud of his ex-student from Weatherford, Betty Bierschenk-Pierce, for her outstanding accomplishments with the Grisham Middle School band program.
Ron Pierce
Dave Reyes
Ron Pierce is a graduate of Baylor University where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He performed with the Baylor Wind Ensemble directed by Richard Floyd, and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dean Daniel Sternberg. He served as a band director in Bandera, Grand Prairie, Richardson, and Austin, Texas. Upon leaving teaching, he married Betty Bierschenk and has since been in fundraising sales. In 2003, he formed his own fundraising company, Encore Enterprises, and continues to serve his customers as owner and president.
Dave Reyes is an instructor and freelance musician in Austin, Texas. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, Texas. Dave marched for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from Fort Mill, South Carolina, in 2001 and 2002. Dave served on the Percussion Staff for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2004 season and for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa, in 2007. Dave Reyes also performed for Tokyo Disneyland in Japan from 20062010. He currently performs with the Palace Theater in Georgetown, Texas, and he teaches privately at Grisham Middle School in the Round Rock area.
Featured Soloists
Julie Linder, Clarinet
Gilbert Elorreaga, Trumpet
Julie Linder, Director of Clarinet Pro Workshops, is a proud Texas native. She studied Clarinet Performance at the University of North Texas with Dr. Jim Gillespie. She began teaching at Northwest High School in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area at age 19 while freelancing throughout the Metroplex before graduating in 2003. Performance studies continued in Chicago at DePaul University with former Leblanc Director of Education Julie DeRoche and at the Staatsoper Berlin under principal clarinetist Matthias Glander. Returning to Austin in 2008 after a five-year hiatus from teaching, she threw all her efforts into understanding beginner fundamentals, fostering a large studio of young students. She established Clarinet Pro Workshops, LLC in 2012 with a vision of bringing new and fresh perspectives on clarinet into the Austin area with summer workshops and low-cost master classes from top clarinetists around the country. Julie is a Vandoren Regional Artist and she recently joined the clarinet faculty at Texas A&M University, Kingsville.
Gilbert A. Elorreaga began his formal studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2003. He currently teaches private trumpet lessons in the Leander and Round Rock Independent School Districts. As a performer, he is a member of the Grammy-award-winning Latin Fusion band, Grupo Fantasma. In addition to touring with Grupo Fantasma, Gilbert is also a founding member of their successful spinoff funk band, Brownout. Both Grupo Fantasma and Brownout have performed all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. Gilbert has performed at the Kennedy Center, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Coachella, Austin City Limits, and most recently, in Iraq, where he performed for the U.S troops. He has also performed with Prince, Larry Harlow, Spoon, Maceo Parker, and many others. Gilbert lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, their two beautiful daughters, and two dogs.
Kevin Gibbs, Saxophone
Dr. Billy Gayman, Trombone
In 2005, Kevin Gibbs earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with emphasis in classical saxophone from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin. There, he studied privately with world-renowned saxophonist and teacher, Harvey Pittel. While at UT, Kevin performed with the UT Symphony Band, the UT Wind Ensemble, Tex Sax, and the UT Jazz Ensemble. For the last 14 years, he has played in several rock, jazz, and funk-influenced bands in Austin, such as Navin’s Thermos, About:Blank, and Price Hill. Kevin has been teaching private lessons at schools in Austin, Leander, and Round Rock Independent School District since 2003. He lives with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Mattie, in Round Rock.
Dr. Billy Gayman is a freelance performer and instructor in the Central Texas area. He earned his Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Arlington, and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, Dr. Gayman is Bass Trombonist for the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra, and is a founding member of the Austin City Brass. Billy has also performed with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Austin Symphony, as well as several other regional orchestras. He is currently Professor of Low Brass at Austin Community College.
Greg Battista, Tuba Gregory Battista is the euphoniumist for the United States Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland. In addition to his euphonium position, he is the sousaphone player in the Crabtowne Stompers New Orleans-style brass band. His studies took place at the University of Michigan, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Kansas. His primary teachers have been Brian Bowman, Fritz Kaenzig, Benjamin Pierce, and Scott Watson. Prior to joining the Navy, Greg kept a busy performance schedule that brought him to South Korea, Japan, England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, and all over the United States on both euphonium and tuba. As an ensemble member, he has performed with the Brass of the Potomac, Fountain City Brass Band, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Guard Band and the Brass of the Potomac.
Acknowledgements && The 2012-2013 Grisham Honors Band for your hard work and dedication. Our opportunity to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic was made possible by your desire to be the very best possible. I love and admire you.
&& Our private teachers: Beth Behning, Dr. Amy Burgus, Julia Windle, Julie Linder, Kevin Gibbs, Gilbert Elorreaga, Angela Finley, Dr. Billy Gayman, Dusty Steinle, and Dave Reyes. You play a huge role in this band program’s success.
&& The 2013-2014 Honors Band. Thank you for your patience, hard work, and commitment to this endeavor. I am proud to be your teacher and friend.
&& Scott Hanna for your help in securing the use of Bates Recital Hall on the University of Texas Campus for our photo session.
&& Dr. Steve Flores, Superintendent of Round Rock Independent School District, and the Board of Trustees, for your continued support of and commitment to fine arts education in our district.
&& Allison Graham and Directors Choice Tour and Travel, for organizing this wonderful trip.
&& Kim Winters, Paige Hadziselimovic, and Dennis Hardesty, Principals of Grisham Middle School, for your incredible support of the Grisham band program. && Jim VanZandt, Fine Arts Director of the Round Rock Independent School District, for your unwavering support of the band program at Grisham. Thanks for being a good friend and mentor. && Jack Green, David Jennison, Thomas Turpin, and Sarah Santa Cruz, Westwood High School band directors, for your support of the Grisham band program.
&& Robin Wilson for your expertise in preparing this beautiful program. Thanks for creating a lasting memory for my students and their families. && Adrian Williams of Stickman Photography for the beautiful pictures included in this program. && The Westwood Area Band Boosters for the financial assistance you give our band program so that all kids can take part in our private lesson program.
Special Thanks && To my husband, Ron Pierce, for your tireless efforts in helping me prepare my students for today’s concert and for your understanding in accepting the many hours that I have been at the band hall. && To my children, Ashleigh and Austin. I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished in your lives. I love you both very much. && To my mentor, Henry Schraub, for inspiring me to become an educator and for instilling in me the love of music. Thank you for teaching me that success comes through hard work and dedication and for sharing this day with me and my kids. && To my mom, Mae Bierschenk, for teaching me, through example, compassion and kindness. && To my dad, Victor Bierschenk, for teaching me to never give, up even when things get rough. && To my family, many of whom are here today to support me: Mrs. Mae Bierschenk, Mrs. Nadine Pierce, Mr. Dewey Pierce, Dr. and Mrs. Ed Ferren, Dr. and Mrs. Tom Bierschenk, Mrs. Debra Bradford, Jim and Susan Bierschenk, Roy and Jacque Bierschenk, Pat and Andrea Bierschenk, Mr. Rick Pierce, Mrs. Dixie Jones, and Dr. and Mrs. Sam Pierce.
&& To the parents of these fine musicians. Thank you for all you have done to help our students be successful and thanks for allowing me the privilege of teaching them. && To my assistant, Brigette Parsons, for your hard work and dedication to the Grisham band program. && To David Jennison and Paulette Rainey for all of the help and feedback you give us during our rehearsals. && To Jennie Tidwell of Grisham Middle School for proofreading our program for today’s concert. && To our wonderful Grisham Band Representatives: Wendy Jungmann and Lora Green. Thanks for all you have done to help us meet our financial goals. && To the many colleagues and friends to whom we are grateful, including but not limited to: Ron Pierce, David Jennison, Paulette Rainey, Dr. James Morrow, Robert Herrings, Manuel San Luis, Jim VanZandt, Kevin Sedatole, Scott Hanna, Kevin Mixon, Brian Beck, Beth Behning, Dr. Amy Burgus, Julia Windle, Julie Linder, Kevin Gibbs, Gilbert Elorreaga, Angela Finley, Dr. Billy Gayman, Dusty Steinle, Dave Reyes, Adrian Williams, Beth Williams, David Chisum, and Tracey Redus.
Financial Contributions Ron Pierce of Encore Enterprises, Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods, Robin Wilson, Mrs. Debra Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Jungmann, Mr.and Mrs. Eddie Zamora, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scelsi, Mr. and Mrs. Yongsung Ji, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Martinez, Mr. and Mrs. Chet Wyzykowski, Mrs. Elva Groves, Sam Bass Music and our many generous parents and businesses who made donations to our Holiday Magic Evening.