North Carolina Music Educator Winter 2023

High School Choral
MAKING MUSIC.
Aleisa Baker, Chair
UNCW DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
SPRING 2023
MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
MUSIC
Teacher of the Year
Brad Bensen
Brad Bensen holds a Master of Music
from East Carolina University, and a
Bachelors of Arts in music education from
Virginia Tech University.
He serves as the MPA Revision chair
for the High School Choral Board for
NCMEA, and serves as an adjudicator for
NCMEA Music Performance Adjudication.
His choirs have performed around the
nation and at the NCMEA Performance Concerts.
In Bensen’s teaching philosophy, he writes, “When asked, ‘What
do you teach?’ I can only answer, ‘Young hearts and minds.’ The
music itself is simply an avenue I can use to impact change in the
culture of our youth..” Bensen believes he has a daily opportunity
to make an impact in students’ character and values, and hopefully,
in their personal quests for purpose and meaning.
NCMEA HS Choral Section Hall of Fame
Diane Covington
Diane Covington retired after 19 years from Leesville Road
High School in Raleigh, where she built the program from 32 to
200 singers when she retired in 2013. Prior to this, she was the
choral director at Fairview Middle School in Tallahassee, Fla., for
five years.
Her former student, Mary Robert McGrath wrote this in
the nomination statement, “The phrase ‘Diane Covington was
my chorus teacher’ is the start of hundreds of conversations
detailing life changing experiences. Diane Covington’s extensive
influence makes her a household name.
Her thousands of students have become
hundreds of teachers, and we continue to
utilize her mentorship.”
Covington received her Bachelor of
Music from Mars Hill University. She
holds, and has held, memberships to many
professional associations such as NCMEA
and ACDA. She has served as a clinician in
countless festivals and serves as an adjudicator for NCMEA
Music Performance Adjudication. She also serves as educational
liaison for the North Carolina Master Chorale, where she provides
mentoring and education to Wake County high school choral
programs.
From 1989 – 2013, her choirs participated and earned superiors
in Music Performance Adjudications. Her students participated
in All-State, Honors Chorus, Governor’s School and various
university music camps. Her choirs performed at locations like
Riverside Church in New York City, the Basilica and The Kennedy
Center in Washington, D.C., Westminster Cathedral in London
and many more.
Her awards list is long and includes accolades like Leesville
Road High School Teacher of the Year, and the NCMEA High
School Choral Teacher of the Year. She served on the NCMEA
High School Choral board. Currently, 24 of her former students are
music educators. She is a mentor to many. And as her nominator
says in her nomination statement, “Stepping into Mrs. Covington’s
classroom is empowering. Her musicianship, history of choral
excellence and encouragement make you feel like you could do
anything. She is a superhero and knowing her is a super power.”
FESTIVALS
FLUTE ENSEMBLES FESTIVAL
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 21 - 22
Mary Jo White · whitemj@uncw.edu
PIANO DAY
Saturday, Feb. 11
Barry Salwen · salwenb@uncw.edu
NC HORN DAY
Saturday, Feb. 25
Nicholas Fife · fifen@uncw.edu
JAZZ FEST
Friday, March 24
Jerald Shynett · shynettj@uncw.edu
BRASS FEST
Saturday, April 1
Daniel Johnson · johnsond@uncw
CONTACT THE UNCW FACULTY DIRECTOR LISTED
FOR INFORMATION, INCLUDING
· student age groups for each event
· schedules and activities
· benefit to teachers and students
· registration and fees
· how to participate
SUMMER CONCERT BAND
Monday evenings, May 8-June 26
Dominic Talanca · talancad@uncw.edu
And ask about workshops
just for teachers!
910.962.3390
uncwmus@uncw.edu
UNCW is an EEO/AA Institution.
Accommodations for disabilities may be requested
by contacting the Disabilities Resource Center at 910.962.7555 at least seven days
prior to the event. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance uncw.edu/music
12 | NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR
should be directed to titleix@uncw.edu.
NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR | 13