AMEA 2008 Clinicians and
Performers
Robert de Frece
is Professor of Music and Music Education at the University
of Alberta, in Edmonton, Canada where he
directs the U. of A. Mixed Chorus and Handbell Ringers. A frequent presenter at national conferences of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Dr. de Frece teaches each sum- mer in the Orff-Schulwerk Teacher Training Program at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. He is the author of Hooray for Singing and Singing Round the
Year, published by Warner Bros. Publications and is a co-author of two MacMillan/McGraw Hill music series, Share the Music and Spotlight on Music.
Thompson Middle School is located in Alabaster, AL (south of Birmingham) and is part of the Shelby County School System. The middle school has more than 1350 students in grades 6-8.
The Thompson Middle School
Band is an integral part of the Performing Arts Department of Thompson Middle School. The instrumental program at Thompson Middle School consists of a beginning band program which includes 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, a 7th Grade Symphonic Band and an 8th Grade Symphonic Band. Currently there are over 300 students involved in the band program at Thompson Middle School.
The 7th and
8thGrade Symphonic Band, under the direction of Mrs. Connie Hammond, has received consis-
tent Superior ratings at District, State and National level since 2001. The band has performed at The Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Tennessee and The Festival of Champions in Panama City, Florida. The band has also been selected to perform for Universal Studios, Sea World, and Magic Music Days at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Members of the 8th Grade Symphonic Band are in their third year of instrumental music education. While members of the Symphonic Band are serious and dedicated to the performance of outstanding symphonic wind literature, few students actually study privately. The 8th Grade Symphonic Band consistently has members selected for District IV Honor Band, UAB Honor Band, and the Shelby County All-County Honor Band. Other performing ensembles at Thompson Middle School include the 7th Grade Symphonic Band, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Beginning Band and the 180 member Football Pep Band.
Gary Packwood
is rapidly becoming one of Brazil’s favorite American conductors. In 2006 he served as guest con- ductor, lecturer, and lead master classes for the Festival Internacional de Musica da UFPI in Brazil; the first American choral conductor to be invited. In 2007 he traveled to the Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Brazil, where he lectured, lead master classes, and conduct the university’s chorals and opera ensembles. In 2008 he is scheduled to appear with the State Conservatory of Music, Uberlândia, the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Conductor for the 2008 Louisiana SATB Senior High School All-State Choir, Brevard County (FL) 2008 Middle School Honor Choir, 2007 LMEA District IV High School Honor Choir, and 2008 LMEA All-Parrish High School Choir. Dr. Packwood is currently the Interim Director of Choral Activities, Associate Director of Choral Activities, and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Montevallo. In addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in music and music education, he conducts the UM Chamber Singers and University Chorus. He currently serves as the Southern Division ACDA R&S Chair for Multicultural Music. He received the D.M.A. degree in choral conducting & literature from L.S.U., where he studied with Kenneth Fulton and Sara Lynn Baird.
40 October 2007
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