Steve and Alan talk with New Trier director Matt Temple about performing at a very high level without the pressure or benefit of competition.
About Our Guest: Matt Temple
Matt Temple was appointed Director of Bands at New Trier High School in 2007. He conducts the curricular Freshman Concert Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble, Varsity Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. In 2008, he wrote a comprehensive wind ensembles curriculum that guides student instruction throughout the program. Mr. Temple earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in conducting from Eastern Illinois University. He also completed an additional master’s degree in educational leadership through Aurora University.
Under Mr. Temple’s direction, the New Trier Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Concert Band Festival, Illinois Music Education Conference, University of Illinois Superstate Festival, NBA Band Director’s Workshop, and Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands. In 2014, the New Trier band department received national recognition as an inaugural recipient of the “Blue Ribbon Award” for Programs of Excellence from the National Band Association. Prior to his appointment at New Trier, Mr. Temple served as the Fine Arts Chair at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, from 2000-2007, and as the music director at Flora High School from 1994-1998.
Mr. Temple is currently serving as the Second Vice-President on the Executive Committee for the National Band Association, having served three previous terms on the Board of Directors. He is also a Contributing Editor for The Instrumentalist and completed a four-year term on the Advisory Committee for the Music Educator’s Journal . Mr. Temple is a co-founding member and Past President of the Illinois committee for Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP). In 2015, Mr. Temple was recognized by his colleagues with the “Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award” presented by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. He is an elected member of the American School Band Directors Association, the honorary society Phi Beta Mu, and the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Temple has presented clinic sessions at the Indiana and Illinois State Music Conferences, as well as the Midwest Clinic in 2014 and 2018. Presentations have included, “Analyzing for Meaning,” “Student-Centered Instruction in a Band Rehearsal,” ” Writing Innovative Curricula for Performance-Based Classes ,” and “The Impact of Music Selection on Student Learning.” Mr. Temple has also presented at Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Illinois State University, and Ball State University. He frequently serves as a clinician and guest conductor throughout the United States.
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Topics in this episode include:
Music Education, Nutri High School, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Midwest Clinic, National Concert Band Festival, Student-Centered Instruction, Curriculum Development, Repertoire Selection, Marching Band, Nutri Jazz Fest, Equity In Music Education, Diversity Training, Social Justice In Music, Anti-Racism, Music As Art