GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - AUGUST 2016

International Wind
Ensemble each
summer in Italy.
I have served as
guest conductor
for numerous ensemble
nationally
and internationally.
IN VIEWING
SOME OF YOUR
CONCERT VID-
EOS, CLEARLY
YOU ARE ENJOY-
ING WHAT YOU
DO, WHAT ARE
YOU FEELING/
THINKING WHILE
CONDUCTING?
I tell you, being a
conductor is one
of the most fascinating
endeavors
one can ever
undertake! It is a
position of leadership
and music
making (re-creating
the composer’s
music)! Whenever
I conduct, I
am always thinking
of the following:
Am I reaching
the “ audience” with the music? Is my interpretation
both unique and in line with
the composer’s intent? If it is a living
composer, am I pleasing him/her with
my interpretation? Am I inspiring the
players/performers? Do I know my score
(meaning the musical structure/form,
harmonic analysis, when to cue various
players)?
As you can see, there are a host of concerns
that go through a conductor’s
mind when he/she is conducting an ensemble!
I’m sure many conductors have
other concerns I have not listed here, but
these are my concerns while conducting.
However, what determines the ultimate
success of a conductor and the performance
is how well the conductor knows
the score/music, as well as how strong
is the relationship between the conductor
and performers.
IN REGARDS TO TRAVEL, WHERE HAS
YOUR ROLE TAKEN YOU?
My conducting engagements have taken
me all over the United States, as well as
Canada and Italy. I am looking forward
to more international travel in the near
future, as I desire to perform in more
places in Europe, South American, the
Middle East, and Far East (China, Japan,
etc.).
DO YOU TRAVEL WHEN NOT PERFORM-
ING?
I do travel for leisure, but not nearly as
much as I would like to. Nevertheless,
most of my leisure travel has been within
the US. I do have a desire to see more of
Europe, South America, The Carribean,
Australia, and perhaps Russia! Traveling
is a wonderful experience for anyone,
and to have an opportunity to see and
experience other cultures is exciting all
around!
WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST
MEMORABLE TRAVEL MOMENTS?
Some of my most memorable travel moments
included being in Alaska (Fairbanks),
Banff (Canada), Toronto (Canada),
Upstate New York, California (San
Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Mountains,
Yosemite National Park), and of course
Italy (Region of Umbria, Rome, Northern
Italy, and the Adriatic Sea).