Auditions are open for the first annual MENC National Honor Ensembles. Anthony Maiello, Director of Instrumental Studies at George Mason University, will conduct the National Honor Concert Band in June 2010.

Think back to sophomore and junior year of high school. What experience do you most remember as influencing your decision to be a band director?

The strongest influence on me during my high school years was Dr. Robert Campbell. He was my high school music theory teacher and the person responsible for my acceptance to the school of music at Ithaca College. Dr. Campbell personally called then Dean Craig McHenry and set up an interview for me. This happened in the summer after my high school graduation.

How are the MENC National Honor Ensembles different from the state and divisional levels?

Any national honor ensemble includes students throughout our entire country as opposed to regional and all state festivals. Events of this nature at the national level attract the very best of the best our nation has to offer. It is my assumption that the performance ability level of those students selected to participate will be of the highest quality possible at the high school level.

What makes you the right person for the concert band honor ensemble?

There are many, many outstanding conductors in our country. I am both honored and humbled by the musicianship of my colleagues and feel most fortunate to be associated with them at every level of music education. As a conductor, it is always my primary goal to share my love, passion and musical soul with the performers that sit in the ensemble before me. Bringing out the magical powers of music is an act that must be taken seriously since the impact on humanity changes hearts and souls for life.

What would you like students/candidates to know before they participate with you?

First, I will never embarrass them in any way whatsoever! Second, I will always say please and thank you. Third, I promise I will take care of them physically and mentally. This will enable them to make the best music possible.

A Chat With Anthony Maiello, Part 2

Special Opportunity—2010 MENC National Honor Ensembles

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—Paul Fergus, November 5, 2009. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education