Members in the News
Members in the News
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Dr. Ryan Yahl (OH) recently had his article, Thinking About Graduate School, published in The Instrumentalist.
"As someone who works regularly with undergraduate music students, I frequently have discussions with individuals about their future plans and professional goals. Where do they see themselves in the next five, ten, or even twenty years? These plans often include graduate study, such as a master’s degree or doctoral degree in music education, music performance, conducting, or musicology. In our conversations, I have found that many students do not consider important factors when deciding if a graduate program is a good fit. While this list is not definitive, here are some items that I bring up with students."
To read the article, follow the link . . .
https://theinstrumentalist.com/.../thinking-about.../
Dr. Ryan M. Yahl is the Visiting Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Miami University. He previously worked as the Assistant Director of Bands at East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce), and as part-time Assistant Professor of Music at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Yahl taught middle and high school band for nine years in Ohio, and earned degrees from Bowling Green State University and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He currently serves as the Research Committee Chair for ASBDA.
#musiceducationmatters #graduateschool #GraduateStudies #asbda
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Westlake Middle School, the band program hosted an unforgettable evening honoring five decades of music and community. The highlight of the concert was the world premiere of Golden Hour, a commissioned work by Colorado composer, ASBDA member, CMEA Hall of Famer, and Colorado Bandmasters Hall of Famer Kirk Vogel. The 8th Grade Band performed the piece alongside dozens of alumni musicians, conducted by Mike Gill (former Westlake Band Director and Colorado Bandmasters Middle School Festival Chair) and featuring a special solo by Mike White, Westlake’s first band director and a CBA Hall of Famer.
Beyond the music, the event brought the entire community together—alumni toured the school, browsed old yearbooks, and gathered around food trucks to reminisce. The president of the Adams 12 Board of Education joined in on piano, and the district superintendent attended in support of the milestone celebration.
The impact was deeply felt. Alumni reflected on how their musical beginnings at Westlake shaped their lives, including Chris Stongle, a Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee, who wrote:
“What an incredible experience—it was truly a joy just to be back in the building again… My musical journey began right here in our community… and to think that journey led all the way to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame—it’s truly remarkable.”
The event bridged generations—students, alumni, and educators—demonstrating the enduring power of music education to connect and inspire.
Read more in the Broomfield Enterprise:
https://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2025/10/31/music-westlake-broomfield-celebrates-50-years/
Kristopher Chandler (MS) was named Teacher of the Year for Gautier High School!
Kristopher Chandler (MS) was named Teacher of the Year for Gautier High School!
"Our Band is awesome! I know it takes hours and hours of dedication. Our band is always placing top in the state at competitions. The band is always a high point during the halftime shows during the football games, too! He always has a smile and is nice on the occasion I run into him! Mr. Chandler has established a successful band and music program for Gautier High School. His students repeatedly achieve placements within the top 5 bands at the state marching festivals and receive superior marks at concert band performances. For the past few years, he has been recognized by several students at the Top 10% banquet for his positive impact on their education. He also extends his professional knowledge outside of PGSD by assisting with band associations across the state. He consistently demonstrates a passion for teaching music, and many of his students continue practicing music in college."
The Hickory Ridge High School Wind Symphony, under the direction of Chris White (NC), has been selected to perform at the 2026 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis next March! Congratulations to the students and staff on this incredible honor—we look forward to celebrating your journey to the national stage!
The Noe Middle School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Linda Pulley (KY), has been selected to perform at the 2026 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis next March!
Congratulations to the students and staff! We look forward to your journey to the National stage!
Linda Pulley
Linda Pulley
Noe Middle School Symphonic Band
The Germantown High School Varsity Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jeremy Thompson, has been invited to perform at the Belmont University Regional Wind Band Festival. The ensemble was selected through a blind application.
Congratulations to the Ocean Springs High School Band
conducted by Kevin Shira (MS), on their selection through blind review to perform at the 2026 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference in Tampa, Florida in 2026.
Congratulations to the Youth Performing Arts School Band,
conducted by Dr. Kevin Callihan (KY), on their selection through blind review to perform at the 2026 CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference in Tampa, Florida in 2026.
James Divine (CO) recently published his book
Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band. Anyone who wants more info can find it at www.teachingband.org.
Ollie Liddell Leads Memphis Central Jazz Band to Historic Global Victory at Lincoln Center
2025 Virtual Winter Retreat Interlude presenter Ollie Liddell continues to demonstrate the power of visionary leadership in music education. As director of the Memphis Central High School Jazz Band, Liddell led his students to a first-place win at the Essentially Ellington International High School Jazz Band Competition, held at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The win, announced on Mother’s Day 2025, marked a milestone not only for Central High, but for music programs across the country and the world.
Essentially Ellington is Jazz at Lincoln Center’s longest-running and farthest-reaching educational initiative, with over 1 million student participants in its 30-year history. Each year, hundreds of high school jazz bands from around the globe audition; only 30 are invited to perform live in New York. Central High’s 2025 selection marked their third invitation, but their first in-person appearance after virtual events in 2020 and 2021.
After advancing through the semifinals, Central was named one of three finalists. Their final performance, held at the Metropolitan Opera House, featured them alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, with feedback from jazz icon Wynton Marsalis. Competing against top groups from the U.S. and abroad — including a standout band from Barcelona, Spain — Central emerged as the international champion, earning standing ovations and widespread acclaim.
A two-time Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence award recipient (2022, 2024), Liddell has long been celebrated for his dedication to youth, community, and excellence in music education. His leadership of the Central High Jazz Band is yet another example of his lasting impact — locally, nationally, and globally. During his presentation at TAA’s 2025 Virtual Winter Retreat, attendees saw firsthand the passion and purpose that fuel his work. Now, with an international title to his name, Liddell stands as a model of what’s possible when talent meets vision.
“When you carry your instrument, it will carry you.”
“When you carry your instrument, it will carry you.”
Throughout the years, students across Kentucky have been fortunate enough to have experienced that motto and the fierce and fabulous voice behind it. Linda Pulley leads young people down a pathway that inspires them to achieve musical excellence. Pulley’s successes in the band room have resulted in being a recipient of the 2011 Grammy Signature School Enterprise Award with the Iroquois High School Band, 2024 KMEA Conference performance with the Noe Middle School Jazz Band, and having the Noe Middle School Symphonic Band and Jazz Band be selected to perform at the 2025 MBDNA National Concert and Jazz Band Invitational. Linda Pulley is currently serving her 19th year as a band director in Jefferson County Public Schools (Iroquois High School, 2005-2020, and Noe Middle School, 2020 – present), both in Louisville, Kentucky. – Heather Dipasquale. Read the entire conversation here
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