The Jerry Nowak Conducting Summer School
January 2014 - Sydney
THIS COURSE PROVIDES CONDUCTING INSTRUCTION USING REAL MUSICIANS AND EXPOSES THE PARTICIPANTS TO PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES THAT WORK IN PRODUCING A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE FROM A FULL SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE. THERE IS NO CONDUCTING JUST A RECORDING OR A PIANO.
Jerry Nowak returns to Sydney in 2014 for an unprecedented 29th. year of Conducting Summer Schools.
The number of participants who attend for a second and even third time is testament to Jerry's ability to present an informative, enjoyable course. We Welcome Jerry back in 2014.
"The Jerry Nowak Summer Conducting School is suited to Musical Directors of all levels of ability working with bands, orchestras and ensembles. Jerry is one of those rare educators who can cater for beginner, intermediate and advanced level conductor in one school."
Jerry Nowak is a vital name in education. He is a multi-talent in the music business - performer, teacher, conductor, composer, arranger - and equally talented in many areas....choral, concert band, stage band and marching band. His credits include B.S. and M.A. degrees from Trenton State College and extensive private study in clarinet with Charles Russo, music composition with Stanley Austin, voice with Herbert Pate, choral conducting with Dr. Finley Williamson and composition and orchestration with Lucien Cailliet.
Jerry has taught public school music at the secondary level for many years and is Professor Emeritus of Music at Bucks County Community College in Newton, Pennsylvania. He is thoroughly aware of the special needs facing today's music educators.
He has conducted recording sessions in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and London, England. As a professional musician he is an excellent saxophonist, having performed with the Philadelphia Saxophone Quartet and has performed as a session singer and woodwind doubler in the Philadelphia and New York areas.
Jerry has written well in excess of 900 published compositions and arrangements for instrumental and vocal ensembles. Among his commissioned works is the "White Ensign", which was commissioned in 1986 by the Royal Australian Navy Band. It was premiered at the Royal Australian Navy's 75th Anniversary Concert at the Sydney Opera House.
The two week summer conducting course includes training in Beat Patterns, Beyond basic meters, Phrase conducting, Ensemble balance, Ensemble tuning, Ensemble intonation, Score preparation, Rehearsal techniques, Developing imagery, Style and interpretation.
TESTIMONIALS
"I attended the Jerry Nowak Conducting Summer School in 2006 and view the experience as one of the most rewarding, satisfying and inspiring musical highlights of my life. I learnt more in the introduction day than I did in two years of conducting studies during my music degree! As someone with previous conducting experience, I was amazed how much Jerry's course was able to cater for my development alongside people who had never held a baton before. The two week course was extremely intensive and exhausting however amid all our homework, I had time to make many lifelong friends, network with other musicians/conductors and create opportunities beyond the course. Since completing the course, I have implemented the new skills and ideas into my current bands and ensembles and have a new conducting job with Canberra Youth Music. Jerry and the amazing ABODA staff have inspired my passion for conducting, which I will continue to pursue in my musical career."
Wyana Etherington
Ensemble and Band Director of the Canberra Combined Grammar Schools Co-curricular Program and Director of the Canberra Youth Music Concert Band.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have been rehearsing my bands since attending your course and have noticed a huge difference in the music. I don't stop for wrong notes anymore but stop to fix phrasing ideas, pulse, note groupings, dynamic range and contrast etc. I have found this keeps the whole band more interested and focused whilst still letting them correct those wrong notes. They have also started watching because I learnt to demand that I lead and they follow. It took some practice but they don't go anywhere until that baton moves. It's awesome when you stretch beats and bring emotion to the music, especially in legato sections and they actually do it, lately without even rehearsing it! The best thing is that they actually notice it too and realise they are making a massive difference. Thanks Jerry, I grew significantly as a musician in the two weeks I spent with you."
Andre Bourgault
"St Stephen's School, Duncraig in Perth, Western Australia.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jerry Nowak's summer conducting course in Sydney was the best thing that ever happened to my conducting. In a short amount of time, he was able to bring out the musician in me, through my hands; it's heartening to know that I am now showing in my conducting what I've always wanted to show. I am involved with strings, 3rd Grade through 12th and have found that I am applying Jerry's ideas continually; all ages are interested in a phrase when it has direction and musicality. Jerry and ABODA members work most effectively together as a team, because they encourage, support, help teach and most importantly, are fun, too. This is a course I hope to be able to take again."
Suzanne Reeves,
Strings Teacher in Taiwan, Grade 3 - 12.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS CONDUCTING COURSE HAS SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUBJECT "Musical Direction and Conducting 1" FOR THE MASTER OF MUSIC EDUCATION (Instrumental) OR THE GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MUSIC EDUCATION (Instrumental) FORMERLY CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY (UWS). For more information on the details of the UWS course contact Diana Blom (d.blom@uws.edu.au).
Players Wanted:
The ABODA Conducting Summer School is an annual event where conductors come to study with Prof Jerry Nowak. During the second week of the course (January 2013) we form a Concert Band with extra players for the students to conduct.
You will get the opportunity to sight read many new and old charts for band as each conductor works on several different pieces throughout the week, and also learn from Maestro Jerry Nowak.
We will provide morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as well as good fun and music.(introductory day on Saturday 4th. January)
VENUE: To be Advised (Sydney Metro Area)
Accommodation availability: Please contact course manager if you require assistance with accommodation
Times: 8:30am – 5:00pm
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COURSE OR PARTICIPATING AS A PLAYER DURING THE SECOND WEEK:
Please RSVP to Ian Bown with your name, instrument(s), available days and a contact number.
Ph: 0417 270 170
email: aboda@optusnet.com.au
PAYMENTS
Invoices available for payments ABODA NSW Inc. ABN: 85 249 798 326
1. Download a Conducting Course brochure (Download page) & Forward your details with your cheque or money order to:
ABODA NSW Inc.
P.O. BOX 314
HURSTVILLE SOUTH, NSW 2221
2. Forward your details by email and follow the following link to make secure payment through Paypal: shop.abodansw.com
3. Forward your details by email and directly deposit your payment to the St. George Bank -
Account Name: ABODA NSW
BSB Number: 112879
Account Number: 015572984
| 
