Presenter(s)
Presenter
John Carnahan
Bio(s)
John Alan Carnahan is Professor Emeritus as Director Bands and Professor of Conducting at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. As Director of Bands, his university ensembles gained widespread notoriety for distinctive performance quality and imaginative musical interpretation and was honored with invitations to perform throughout the Western United States, Europe, Japan and Korea. The Los Angeles Times has hailed the University Wind Symphony as, "…thoroughly disciplined and euphonious!"
Professor Carnahan is highly active internationally as a guest conductor, adjudicator, lecturer, and award-winning composer/arranger. His work entitled, I Hear Him! premiered at the 2011 World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Chiayi City, Taiwan. He has conducted ensembles at the Music Educators National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association National Conference, the American Bandmasters Association National Conference, and internationally in Europe, Australia, Japan, and Korea.
Professor Carnahan is a sought-after clinician and has presented numerous clinics and performance demonstrations for notable international, national and statewide music education organizations and conferences including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Il. His innovative and thought-provoking sessions on ensemble rehearsal techniques and the "Wind Band Sound" are in demand and very well-received.
The Wind Band Sound - A Definitive Guide to Ensemble Intonation
Ensemble intonation is one of the most challenging issues that face wind bands today. Intonation can make or break an otherwise great performance. Many books, articles, and exercises have been written that present a variety of methods to improve ensemble intonation, but they do not provide a systematic method to maintain great ensemble pitch throughout a musical performance. The referential tuning system is an innovative and practical listening system that presents a comprehensive method to identify and eliminate intonation problems within the modern wind band. The referential tuning system is effective with any age level from beginner through professional ensembles and has been utilized with great success by all these groups. The results are immediate, noticeable, and long-lasting. In addition, the referential tuning system simultaneously addresses and improves blend and balance issues within the ensemble.
For the conductor: The referential tuning system will ensure your ability to successfully identify and correct any intonation problem that you may encounter in a simple straight-forward manner.
For the performer: The referential tuning system will define your individual listening responsibilities and direct you to a specific reference to match pitch.