SDSU Wind Symphony Exemplifies Quality at SCSBOA Conference

March 3, 2017

This past January, the San Diego State University Wind Symphony was the headlining ensemble at the 2017 Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) conference in Anaheim, CA. SCSBOA is the largest music education organization of its kind in the western United States. According to Neil Anderson, SDSU alumnus and an SCSBOA Vice President, “With approximately 1300 members, SCSBOA spans from Kern County to the north, the Mexican border to the south, and parts of Arizona and Nevada. The Association just began its 80th year in existence and the conference has been around for more than 60 of those years!” The current format of the conference includes a partnership with NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), and its primary purpose is to provide meaningful, professional development opportunities to music educators throughout Southern California. “To have an ensemble like the SDSU Wind Symphony perform at the conference provides real world, tangible examples of what quality truly is,” shares Anderson. “It allows music educators to be exposed to a variety of literature and real world examples—not just what the Wind Symphony is playing, but how they make it happen. They are great reminders about simple pedagogical things like set-up, tone quality, and ensemble sound.” Anderson also comments on the work that Shannon Kitelinger, Director of Bands, has done since his arrival at SDSU in 2009. “He has brought a credibility and recognition back to the Wind Studies program at SDSU. He is putting the school on the map as a true and legitimate champion in the wind band medium.” Neil Anderson graduated from SDSU in 2001 with a double Bachelors in Music Performance and Music Education—one of the first students to complete both degrees simultaneously. “For me, San Diego State was home. I absolutely loved every minute of my time there. It provided me an education that was second to none. It was my refuge and my place to discover who I was. I was able to make life’s little mistakes along the way because there was always a safety net of caring teachers, professors, and instructors there to pick me up, dust me off, and set me straight again.” As the School of Music and Dance continues to make its mark outside of the campus community, the School’s alumni, (like Anderson, ) are also spreading the word about the great things happening at their alma mater. “No matter where I go, or who I talk to, I am proud of my time at San Diego State and will sing the praises of the University that gave me so much. I owe my entire career to San Diego State and will forever be an “Aztec for Life.” The Wind Symphony’s performance at the SCSBOA conference exemplifies the progress that the School has made and foreshadows more successes in the years to come.

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.

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