Last fall, Dr. Bonnie Jacobi, coordinator of music education at CSU, was nominated for the Online Innovative Educator (OLIE) Award. The OLIE (pronounced “OH-LEE”) is a student-nominated award “University Award” presented at both the spring and fall CSU Online Graduation Brunches to recognize instructors who: are able to establish positive relationships with students; are responsive, motivating, and challenging; provide interesting and insightful lectures and thought-provoking homework assignments; are able to do all of the above at a distance. Dr. Jacobi is the director of Colorado Kodály Institute and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance’s online music education master’s degree.
In March, CSU Clarinet Professor Dr. Wesley Ferreira was the guest artist at Utah Clarinet Festival on March 3-4, held on the Utah State University campus in Logan, Utah. He was also the guest artist at Iowa Clarinet Day, held at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa on March 25. Dr. Ferreira gave a performance, a master class, and a clinic at both events. Additionally, Dr. Ferreira will be the guest artist at Wisconsin Clarinet Day on April 29, held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Last fall, Ferreira released Air Revelation – Breath Support Training Program for Musicians, “It's been incredible to watch as university studios adopt the program as their ‘textbook’ and to watch the program spread throughout the world... now to 5 continents,” he said. More information can be found at www.airrevelation.com.
Dr. Rebecca Phillips, director of bands at CSU, conducted one of the large ensembles at the 2017 Montana AA Band Festival, held March 6-7 in Bozeman, Mont. “I've had a wonderful time on my first visit to Bozeman,” said Phillips. “Congratulations to the band students…I enjoyed our time together making music the past couple of days.” Phillips extended a special thank you to band directors Russ Kellogg (Great Falls High School, Great Falls), David Barr (Glacier High School, Kalispell), and Kelly Berdahl (Bozeman High School) for a fantastic experience. Phillips also travelled to Lexington, Ky. for the Kentucky Music Educators Association District 7 Honor Band on March 9-10, specifically thanking Tates Creek High School Band Director Aaron Cunningham for the “kind invitation and generous hospitality.” Phillips also thanked the fabulous District 7 high school band directors and entire team at Bryan Station HS for their hospitality.
While in Lexington, Phillips attended the annual American Bandmasters Association Convention, which will be co-hosted by Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado in 2019.