Chris Knighten is director of bands and professor of music in the department of music at the University of Arkansas. His duties include conducting the wind ensemble, leading the graduate instrumental conducting program, teaching conducting and band literature courses, and overseeing all aspects of the band program. Under his direction, the University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble has performed at three College Band Directors National Association divisional conferences. In his previous role as director of athletic bands, the Razorback Marching Band grew to more than 350 members and performed at the FedEx Liberty Bowl, BCS SugarBowl, and AT&T Cotton Bowl. Knighten has presented sessions on band literature and pedagogy for numerous conferences. His articles on conducting and band literature have been published in the Teaching Music through Performance series, The Journal of Band Research, The Instrumentalist, and Today’s Music Educator. Knighten holds a doctor of musical arts degree in instrumental conducting and a master of music degree in wind conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Teachers are more than halfway through the academic year. Classroom patterns are set and students know what to expect. There’s a good chance that the routine has become… routine! In this two-part seminar, participants will explore ways to energize teaching with fresh approaches to familiar rehearsals. The sessions will include discussion for teachers of beginning through high school ensembles and will also include review of many resources and texts.
