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International President’s Message
Keith Rudolph (Indiana)
PBM International President
Greetings! The annual rejuvenation, renewing of friendships, and great appreciation for the many talented performers and clinicians at the Midwest has flown by again! In the many years since my college director took a carload of us to the Clinic in 1968, the wonderment of the event only seems to get better.
As we enter 2023 the International Board of Directors is actively making plans to serve all our chapters, strengthen our ties with chapters and their officers, and continue reaching out to start new chapters in areas not currently served.
We again have an outstanding Board of Directors! Our board members will not only be leading a major project for the Fraternity but will also reach out to several chapter presidents to get a better understanding of how each of our chapters are faring. Board members will also write or sponsor an article in each newsletter along with working to formalize our committee structure.
Chapter members who are interested in serving on an International Committee should contact me or the board member leading your area of expertise and interest. Our initiatives include:
- Commissions
- Constitution
- Educational Outreach
- Extensions
- Outstanding Bandmaster
- Outstanding Contributor
- Projects and Outreach
- Public Relations/Newsletter
- Social Media/Facebook
I am deeply honored for this opportunity to serve as President of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity and pledge to do my best to advance the purposes of our organization. Best wishes to all for a most successful 2023.
Keith Rudolph
PRESIDENT [2022-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Indiana, USA
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Mr. Keith Rudolph retired in 2011 after 38 years as band director at Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN. A 1970 graduate of Butler University, Mr. Rudolph served as graduate assistant for the Butler Bands in addition to a stint as Assistant Director and Staff Arranger for the University of South Carolina Bands. At Butler University Rudolph was greatly influenced by two outstanding directors: Dr. John Colbert and Mr. Michael Leckrone.
Rudolph is currently Secretary and a Past President of Gamma Chapter, Phi Beta Mu National Bandmaster’s Fraternity, and a member Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Music Educator’s National Conference, IMEA, and the Indiana Bandmasters Association. Recognitions include selection as the 2003 Gamma Chapter Indiana Outstanding Bandmaster and induction in the Hall of Fame in 2012. Mr. Rudolph has been active in ISSMA since its inception in 1980 and has served as president on two occasions. He was also president of NISBOVA shortly before the merger that created ISSMA. Rudolph is well known as an adjudicator and clinician for many ISSMA, IMEA, and other regional and national contests and events. In April 2009 The Instrumentalist featured Mr. Rudolph and the Penn Band program in an extensive article.
Under Rudolph’s direction, the band program at Penn High School has grown from two concert bands with 80 students in 1973 to five concert bands numbering over 300 students today. All five concert bands regularly earn Gold ratings at ISSMA events and in 2006, 2007, and 2008 the top three bands all earned Gold ratings in Group I. The Symphonic Winds have been a frequent state finalist with a runner-up finish in 2009 and top five placing in five of Rudolph’s last seven years. In 2008 the Symphonic Winds performed at the prestigious Midwest International Band Clinic – only the third Indiana concert band in the last 30 years to do so.
The concert bands are the heart of a program that also features outstanding marching and jazz bands: Penn Marching Bands have been featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade, Orange Parade, Fiesta Parade, Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade and Gator Bowl Parade. The Marching Kingsmen Band has been a state finalist on numerous occasions with 5th place finishes in his last two years as director. From 1973-2000 Mr. Rudolph also directed the Jazz Ensemble which earned numerous honor nand and soloist awards. From 1982-1994 Rudolph hosted “Jazz at Penn,” a popular invitational headlined by the NIU Jazz Band directed by Ron Modell. Jazz ensembles under his direction have appeared nationally at events including the American Association of School Administrator’s convention in San Francisco and the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Festival in Harrisburg, PA.
Mr. Rudolph and his wife Julie, a retired nurse, reside in Mishawaka. They share five children, four grandchildren, and enjoy family, home projects, travel, reading and golf. Mr. Rudolph is deeply grateful to the countless band students, parents, colleagues, and PHM administrators who have all played key roles in the success of the Penn Bands. Now serving a second term on the Phi Beta Mu International Board of Directors, Rudolph is also very active as a judge and clinician for concert and marching bands.
Elva Kaye Lance
INTERIM VICE-PRESIDENT [2022-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Mississippi, USA
Elva Kaye Lance is Director of Bands at Mississippi State University. Her current responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, providing leadership for the Famous Maroon Band, and administering all aspects of the band program. Ms. Lance also teaches methods classes within the Department of Music and assists with student-teacher supervision. A veteran music educator of 40 years, she previously taught instrumental music in the public schools of Mississippi.
Now in her 27th year at Mississippi State, Ms. Lance has guided the band program through the completion of a multi-million dollar rehearsal facility and construction of a new synthetic turf practice field. Under her leadership the band program has seen the expansion of the band staff and a student enrollment that now includes five concert bands, jazz band, two basketball pep bands, and a marching band with an enrollment of more than 390 students.
As a conductor, she has led the Wind Ensemble in performances for international concert audiences during a 2008 tour of the British Isles, a 2011 tour in Austria and Germany, and an Italian tour in 2014 which included a performance at the International Music Meeting in Padova, Italy. In addition to an annual regional performance tour in the fall semester, in May of 2019 the Wind Ensemble will perform in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Ms. Lance maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator for both concert and marching band events throughout the country. Additionally, she is a frequent contributor to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.
In 2011, she received the “State Pride” award from the College of Education for excellence in teaching, research, and service and the Edythe M. McArthur Outstanding Woman Band Director Award for the state of Mississippi. She was named Outstanding Bandmaster for Mississippi in 2015, and in 2017 was named Outstanding Contributor to Bands in Mississippi by the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. She is the recipient of the Bankhead Director of Distinction Award from the American Band College, and was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2018.
Ms. Lance has served as the state chair for the College Band Directors National Association and is presently the state chair for the National Band Association. She has served on the Diversity Committee and as a member of the Athletic Band Committee for the College Band Directors National Association. She is President of the International Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu. Additional professional memberships include the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Iota, and the National Association for Music Education.
Dwayne Sagen
PAST-PRESIDENT [2022-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Tennessee, USA
Dr. Dwayne Sagen retired as Director of Bands and Assistant Dean of Admissions at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville after 29 years. He served as Director of Bands from 1986-2015 at Vanderbilt University and previously served as Assistant Band Director at the University of Mississippi from 1972-1986. He was the Trumpet Professor and Chairman of the Music Department at Ole Miss. His first appointment was at Henderson State University from 1969-1972 assisting with the Marching Band and teaching brass instruments. He has been teaching music since he was 23.
Dwayne hails from LaCrosse, Wisconsin and graduated from Central High School. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Northwestern University studying Trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz and Music Education with John Paynter. Some of his favorite college memories are from his experiences in the Northwestern Wildcat Marching Band and Wind Ensemble. He received his doctorate degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa studying under Frank Piersol. Dwayne is the author of papers and articles on instrumental music education. He has served as a clinician and adjudicator of marching and concert band festivals. He also has been invited as a guest conductor of high school All-State and regional Honor Bands throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Over the years Dwayne has held memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, National Band Association, American School of Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, American Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers, Phi Beta Mu, Theta Delta Chi, and Rotary International.
Dwayne is married to his wife, Pat, who he met in college working at Glacier National Park. They reside in Nashville, Tennessee and love to travel. They enjoy hiking the National Parks, golfing, and serving their local church. They have three grown children, Krista, Stephanie, and Scott. Dwayne has enjoyed sharing his love of music with his eight grandchildren teaching them how to buzz a mouthpiece and march in step.
June Bearden
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY [2022-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Texas, USA
Portfolio: Educational Outreach
Email
Mrs. June Bearden retired from Frenship Middle School in Wolfforth, Texas where she served as the director of bands for 21 years. Her career of being a proud Texas band director included the school districts of Monahans, Plainview, Lubbock and Frenship over 29 years. She graduated from Wichita Falls High School, followed by Texas Tech University where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education with primary study on French Horn and served as drum major of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland & president of the Beta chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.
Her bands were consistent festival and University Interscholastic League Sweepstakes Award winners. She was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Texas congress of Parents and Teachers when selected as Teacher of the Year at Atkins Junior High School in Lubbock. She has taught at several summer band camps as drum major instructor and band director including the Howard Payne Auxiliary Camp and the Texas Tech Band & Orchestra camp for thirty years. She served as Region XVI Middle School Band Coordinator and served on several TMEA committees over the years.
Her professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu where she currently serves as the Executive Secretary, is on the International Board of Directors, and is chair of the Educational Outreach project as well as serving on the Young Bandmaster Committee for the Alpha chapter in Texas. Mrs. Bearden currently serves as the UIL Assistant Executive Secretary for Region 16. She served as president of the Texas chapter of the Women Band Directors Association. Additional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Tau Beta Sigma and Mu Phi Epsilon. She has been awarded honorary membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.
Mrs. Bearden has been a clinician at TMEA, TBA & a chat room host at Midwest conventions. She is an active adjudicator, clinician and consultant. She has served as an adjudicator at the Denmark Band Championships, Kansas Central States Honor Band, Middle Tennessee Honor Band, as well as numerous Texas Honor band events.
Mrs. Bearden is married to Keith Bearden and live in Lubbock. They attend Westminster Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir. She plays french horn in the Lubbock Concert Band and is a board member. They enjoy the outdoors, travel, antique automobiles, outdoor activities and spending time with family, friends and three cats.
Martin Carey-Becker
DIRECTOR [2020-2022]
Phi Beta Mu International
Warsaw, Indiana
Porfolio: Outstanding Bandmaster Award and Facebook Facilitator
Email
Martin Carey-Becker is a member of Gamma Chapter, Indiana. He holds a BME from Morehead State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education and Performance from Ball State University. Mr. Becker has taught instrumental music for 50 years; 35 years in public schools and 15 years at Grace College. He retired in 2002 from Warsaw Community Schools in Warsaw, Indiana, where he was Director of Bands. In 2017 he retired as Director of Bands at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.
Mr. Becker was initiated to PBM Gamma (Indiana) Chapter in 1988. He is a Past President (2013-2014) of PBM Gamma Chapter. In 1994 he was awarded the Phi Beta Mu Indiana Outstanding Bandmasters Award. In 2009 he was elected to the Phi Beta Mu Gamma Chapter Hall of Fame.
He has served as the Conductor of the Lake Area Community Band for 17 years. He plays trumpet with the Truth in Jazz Big Band from Elkhart, Symphony of the Lakes and Wagon Wheel. In addition to his playing and conducting, Mr. Becker serves as an adjudicator for Indiana State School Music Association. He frequently serves as a guest conductor and clinician for Indiana bands. Twice he has served as president of the Indiana State School Music Association and the Indiana Bandmasters Association. Mr. Becker has worked for over 20 years as a Tour Director for Music Travel Consultants. He served as an Associate Conductor for nine European Tours with the Indiana Ambassadors of Music.
He has received the Indiana Music Educators Distinguished Music Educator’s Award. In 2002 the Ball State University Music Department presented him an Outstanding Alumni award. In 2015 he was recognized by Peer Music Educators from Illinois, Michigan and Indiana and was awarded Michiana Outstanding Music Educator sponsored by Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. In 2016 Mr. Becker was the guest conductor of the 500-member InPact Band that performed at the Opening Ceremony for the Drum Corps International Finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. He recently honored by being named The 2019 Pillar of the Community by the Warsaw Optimist Club.
He is married to Judy, also a Music Educator, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren. They attend Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and both play in the church orchestra.
Cindy Lansford
DIRECTOR [2021-2023]
Phi Beta Mu International
Texas, USA
Portfolio: Commissions
Email
After graduating with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 1976, Cindy Lansford began her teaching career at her alma mater, Robert E. Lee High School, in Baytown, Texas. After relocating to north Texas in 1978, she began a 12-year stint in the Plano Independent School District; first at Plano Senior High School, followed by 10 years at Carpenter Middle School. In 1991, Ms. Lansford joined the Birdville Independent School District and taught at Haltom High School. In 1996 she moved to North Ridge Middle School in the B.I.S.D. where she taught until her retirement in 2007.
During her tenure at Carpenter, Ms. Lansford was named Teacher of the Year and was a recipient of the Ross Perot Excellence in Teaching Award. She was again named Teacher of the Year at North Ridge. Ms. Lansford served on the Prescribed Music List selection committee from 2002 to 2006 and served her regions throughout the years in various leadership positions. She has been a frequent presenter at conventions for both Texas and Oklahoma Music Educators Associations, the Texas and Oklahoma Bandmasters Associations, as well as through the T.B.A. Professional Development program. In 2008 Ms. Lansford received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association.
The bands under Ms. Lansford’s direction enjoyed much success throughout the years. Continuous achievement at U.I.L. contests, numerous festivals, as well as state recognition were the norm, and individual student accomplishments were status quo. In 2004 the North Ridge Middle School Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Cup, an award presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to outstanding middle school bands. In 2005 the North Ridge Honor Band performed at the 59th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. In 2006 the North Ridge Band was the first middle school band program to be recognized by the Texas Bandmasters Association as “An Exemplary Program.”
The 2007-2008 school year marked the first year of retirement from a public school position for Ms. Lansford, and she started her second “career” doing freelance work as a consultant, clinician, mentor, adjudicator and teacher. She has been in contact with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students through region and all-state bands and band camps stretching from Alaska to Georgia. Ms. Lansford is a frequent presenter at district in-service and state conventions throughout the southwest. Her daily schedule includes working one-on-one with individual programs and teachers.
Ms. Lansford’s professional affiliations include the Texas Bandmasters Association; Texas Music Educators Association; Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and being past president of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
Julia Reynolds
DIRECTOR [2021-2023]
Phi Beta Mu International
Arkansas, USA
Portfolio: Outstanding Contributor Award and Web Content Monitor
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Julia Reynolds is the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association where she coordinates regional and state instrumental music interscholastic events. Prior to accepting that position in 1999, Julia served as Russellville Public School’s band director from 1984-1999 and as Sheridan Public School’s band director from 1976-1984. Julia is a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator throughout Arkansas and surrounding states with notable guest appearances at Four States Bandmasters Association, 1984 Arkansas Honor Band – Sheridan Senior High; American School Band Directors National Association 1994 Convention, and the 1997 United States Presidential Inaugural Parade – Russellville Senior High.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Henderson State University and a Master of Arts in Brass Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. In addition to her work with ASBOA, she teaches studio brass, plays horn in the River Valley Brass Quintet, and serves as the instrumental coordinator at First Baptist Church in Russellville.
Professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu (Past President – Omicron Chapter); the Arkansas Bandmasters Association (Past President, currently Executive Advisor); the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association (Past President, currently Executive Secretary); and the National Band Association. In 1984, Julia received the ASBDA-Stanbury Outstanding Young Band Director Award, and in 1997, the Arkansas Bandmasters Association named her Bandmaster of the Year. In 2017 she was appointed to serve on the Midwest Clinic Advisory Committee.
Dr. Lois U. Wiggins
DIRECTOR [2022-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Kentucky, USA
Portfolio: Special Projects and Conn-Selmer Clinic
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Lois U. Wiggins, retired band director, taught for 33 years in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. Most recently she served as Band Director at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky. Ms. Wiggins received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Austin Peay State University, a Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia, and a Rank I in Secondary Education from Western Kentucky University.
Ms. Wiggins is past Kentucky Music Educators Association State Band Chair (2015-16) and served for 10 years as Band Content Area Leader for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington Kentucky. She is a past member and Associate Conductor of the Lexington Brass Band. Ms. Wiggins is currently a Co-Conductor with the Central Kentucky Youth Repertory Orchestra and part-time faculty in the School of Music at the University of Kentucky.
Lois has guest conducted honor bands and adjudicated at concert band, marching band and solo & ensemble festivals throughout Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky including the Foster Music Camp in Richmond, Kentucky. Ms. Wiggins has also served as a clinician at the KMEA In-Service Conference, Tapestry Multicultural Conference, Music for All Summer Music Symposium, and the Virtual Music Education Conference. Her professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, the National Band Association, Women Band Directors National Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Delta Kappa.
Ms. Wiggins is a 2016 Grammy Music Educator Award National Finalist and received the International Women’s Brass Conference “Beacon Award” in 2015. Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity recognized Lois as “Outstanding Young Band Director in Kentucky” in 1992 and “Outstanding Bandmaster” in 2010. Ms. Wiggins was named KMEA Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2000. Ms. Wiggins will inducted into the Kentucky Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity Hall of Fame in February 2022.
George Hattendorf
DIRECTOR [2023-2025]
Phi Beta Mu International
Pheonix, USA
Portfolio: Earl D. Irons Award
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George Hattendorf currently serves as an Adjunct Music Faculty member at Glendale Community College and Music Education Faculty at Ottawa University. He retired after 44 years as a music educator and most recently as the Director of Bands/Orchestra and Fine Arts Department Leader at Mountain Ridge High School (2005-2017) in Glendale, Arizona where he served for 12 years. Prior to his appointment at this Deer Valley School, he was the band director and department leader at Barry Goldwater High School (2002-2005) for three years and prior to his move to Arizona he was the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Indiana for 20 years. In addition to public school positions in Illinois, Stevenson High School (1987-1989), and Georgia, where he opened Lassiter High School in 1982, Mr. Hattendorf was the Associate Director of Bands at New Mexico State University (1985-1987) where he was the director of the “Pride” Marching Band in addition to concert and other athletic bands and the percussion studio. He also served as Associate Professor of Music at VanderCook College of Music (1982-1985) in Chicago where he was in charge of concert and jazz bands and the percussion studio.
Ensembles under his direction amassed an enviable record of excellence in the areas of concert, marching and jazz including numerous state, regional and national recognitions. The Mountain Ridge Bands received consistent Superior and Superior with Distinction honors in concert, jazz and marching activities. The Mountain Ridge “Pride of the West” Marching Band appeared as a 2007 Rose Bowl Parade participant, and in 2008 was the Arizona representative to the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship and Parade. In 2009 the band was the only Arizona representative to the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. honoring President Barack Obama. In 2011 the band represented Arizona and the USS Arizona in the Waikiki Holiday Parade and events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 2014 the Woodwind Choir and Saxophone Orchestra represented Arizona at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. In 2015 the program was commissioned by the NFL to perform at the 2015 Pro-Bowl, the 2015 NFL Experience and Super Bowl XLIX, and in 2016 the band once again represented Arizona and the USS Arizona in the Waikiki Holiday Parade and events commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The bands also presented eight clinic performances at the Arizona Music Educators Association State Convention including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Band, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Choir and Woodwind Ensemble. Additionally, the Mountain Ridge Winter Guard was recognized as State Champion six times.
The Chesterton High School bands were also recognized in the areas of concert, marching and jazz. The Trojan Guard Marching Band was a four-time Indiana state champion 1978-1981, as well as Bands of America Regional and Grand National finalist and the 1981 Indiana representative to the Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Ronald Reagan. Additionally, the Chesterton Winter Guard was a four-time Indiana High School Color Guard Association state champion. The bands performed at state music conferences as well as the Outback Bowl Parade/Concert/Field/Jazz champions twice. The New Mexico State Pride Band performed at the Oakland Raiders game and was the collegiate inaugural band at the Lord Mayor of London New Year’s Day Parade in 1986.
Mr. Hattendorf graduated from Indiana University with degrees in Music Performance/Music Education (1973), and from VanderCook College of Music (1980) with a Master of Music Education. Mr. Hattendorf was recognized for excellence in teaching on numerous occasions by the Duneland School Corporation and was chosen as an Outstanding Music Educator in the Chicagoland area (1993). Mr. Hattendorf was recognized as a Deer Valley Unified School District “Teacher of the Year” for 2008. The Mountain Ridge Band program received the prestigious “Best of the West” award from the WESTMARC group in 2009 and also was a finalist for the Governor’s Arts Awards in the arts education category in 2010. The National Federation of State High School Music Associations (NFHS) recognized Mr. Hattendorf as the Outstanding Music Educator in Arizona for 2011-12 and in 2012 Mr. Hattendorf was recognized by School Band and Orchestra magazine as one of 50 “Directors Who Make a Difference.” In 2013 Mr. Hattendorf was inducted into the Legion of Honor by the Sousa Foundation. In 2014 the Mountain Ridge Band Program was featured in the October edition of School Band and Orchestra magazine (SBO) prior to their Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic performance. The National Federation of State High School Music Associations (NFHS) recognized Mr. Hattendorf as the Outstanding Music Educator in Zone 7 (SW United States) for 2015-2016 and he was honored by the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) as the 2016 “Music Educator of the Year.” Most recently Mr. Hattendorf was recognized by Music and Arts as the “People’s Choice” 2016 National Music Educator of the Year.
Mr. Hattendorf has also been actively involved in state and national level music associations serving in leadership positions. In 2013 he was appointed chairman of the Band Council for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and he recently completed his service to the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA), having served on that board for 12 years, including two terms as President. He also served as State Festival Coordinator and AMEA Band Chair for the North Central Region. Prior to his involvement with the ABODA, he served as the President of the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) and on numerous committees for ISSMA. In addition, he was a member of the Bands of America Contest Advisory Commission, serving on that committee as an adjudicator and participant. He was actively involved with the development of performance assessments for the ABODA, ISSMA and BOA. He continues to be very active as an adjudicator at the local and national level (BOA, WGI, WGAZ, Heritage Festivals, ABODA and numerous state marching and concert events). He currently serves as the President of the Kappa Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
Travis J. Weller
DIRECTOR [2023-2024]
Phi Beta Mu International
Mississippi, USA
Portfolio: Educational Outreach
Email
Travis J. Weller (1973) is currently serving as the Assistant Chair for the Music Department at Messiah University. In addition to that position, he is the Director of Music Education at Messiah University. His duties at Messiah include supervising instrumental music education students, teaching methods courses, working with graduate conducting students, and conducting the Symphonic Winds.
He holds degrees from Kent State University, Duquesne University, and Grove City College. Travis is a member of Phi Beta Mu (Nu Chapter), ASCAP, and the National Band Association. He has previously served on the Phi Beta Mu International Board of Directors and is completing a second term as President for Nu Chapter. He has previously served as a state officer for PMEA and currently serves as the PCMEA State Chapter Adviser. He frequently presents on instrumental music education at professional development conferences like the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and state music conferences. Travis has been a contributing author for articles in Teaching Music, The Instrumentalist, National Band Association Journal, The PMEA Journal, and The Phi Beta Mu International Newsletter. He performs with the Musicians’ Concert Band and works with the Pittsburgh Creators’ Project.
He is in frequent demand as a guest conductor for honor bands and composer in residence sessions with school bands across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and New England. As a composer, Travis has published works available from multiple publishers including Bandworks Publications, Wingert-Jones, The FJH Music Company, Grand Mesa Music, C.L. Barnhouse Music Publishers, Carl Fischer, Ludwig-Masters and Manhattan Beach Music. Travis resides in Grove City with his wife, their three daughters and a son.
Scott Harrison
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE
Lambda Iota
Sutton West, Ontario, Canada
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Scott Harrison is the Head of Music at Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, a school with a very long and proud history of musical excellence. Scott has held board positions with the Ontario Band Association and Canadian Band Association and has served as President of both organizations and is currently Past-President of the CBA. The OBA presented Scott with a Lifetime Membership in 2020.
Along with this he is the former Pipe Major of the Toronto Police Grade 2 Pipe Band, whom he led to a 3rd place finish at the North American Pipe Band Championships in 2019. Under his direction the band was undefeated in 2018 and won the Ontario Championship Supreme award from the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario in 2017 and 2018. The band won four straight US Open Championships, and the 2018 North American Championship under Scott’s guidance.
Scott holds degrees in Music and Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, Nipissing University and York University. He is also an Assistant Director of the Interprovincial Music Camp where he manages social media and works as part of the marketing team for the camp.
Mel Morse
NEWSLETTER EDITOR [Appointed 2022]
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A native of Irvine, California, Mel Morse earned bachelor’s (1998) and master’s (2001) degrees in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. During his time at Ole Miss, he served as drum major for the Pride of the South Marching Band for three years and as a graduate assistant for one year. For 22 years, Mr. Morse directed band programs throughout Mississippi in Houston, Lewisburg, and Oxford. His bands have consistently seen unparalleled growth in band membership and the number of students selected for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. Under his direction, the bands demonstrated a high level of excellence on both the marching field and concert stage, including winning three Mississippi State Marching Championships, a Mississippi Indoor Association Wind Championship, Sweepstakes, and repeatedly receiving all Superior ratings.
Mr. Morse is the 2002 recipient of the A.E. McClain award, given to the most outstanding young band director in Mississippi. He worked on the Mississippi Lions All-State Band staff twice, including serving as head director in 2011 when the band won the international championship in Seattle, Washington. Currently an active member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Northeast Mississippi Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and the United States Band Directors Association, he has served as president of the Mississippi Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and the Northeast Mississippi and I-55 Band Directors Associations. Mr. Morse is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States.
