Spotlight: Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Andrew Boysen Jr.
Composer

Andrew Boysen, Jr. (b. 1968) is presently a professor in the music department at the University of New Hampshire, where he conducts the wind symphony and teaches con- ducting, composition and orchestra- tion. Previously, Boysen served as an assistant professor and Acting Asso- ciate Director of Bands at Indiana State University, where he directed the Marching Sycamores, conducted the symphonic band and taught in the music education department. Prior to that appointment, he was the Direc- tor of Bands at Cary-Grove (IL) High School and was the Music Director and Conductor of the Deer- field Community Concert Band. He remains active as a guest conduc- tor and clinician, appearing with high school, university and festival ensembles across the United States, Great Britain, and Australia.

Boysen earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Con- ducting at the Eastman School of Music, where he served as Conduc- tor of the Eastman Wind Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble. He received his Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University in 1993 and his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Music Composi- tion from the University of Iowa in 1991.

He maintains an active schedule as a composer, having received commissions from the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, the Iowa All-State Band, the Rhode Island All-State Band, the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, and many university and high school con- cert bands across the United States. Boysen won the International Horn Society Composition Contest in 2000, the University of Iowa Honors Composition Prize in 1991 and has twice won the Claude T. Smith Memorial Band Composition Contest, in 1991 and 1994. Boy- sen has several published works with the Neil A. Kjos Music Com- pany, Wingert-Jones Music, Masters Music, and C. Alan Publica- tions, including pieces for band, orchestra, clarinet and piano, and brass choir.

Spotlight: Roger Cichy

Roger Cichy
Composer and Conductor

Since the appearance of his first published work in 1985, Roger Cichy has been a prolific composer whose works often paint experiences and emotions on a canvas of sound. The composer’s works contain a number of signature elements, among them is his unique use of rhythm and pronounced use of percussion. In many of his works, Cichy employs what he calls “compelling rhythms,” whose repetition drive his melodies forward. His appreciation for percussion’s unlimited sounds and timbres is also notable. Cichy’s work is further defined by his fondness for jazz rhythms, liberal use of strong countermelodies, and thick harmonic texture.

Roger Cichy brings his background as a music educator to his work as a composer. Roger holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts in Music Education degree from The Ohio State University, but also did extensive study in composition with Edward Montgomery, Marshall Barnes and Joseph Levey at Ohio State. He has directed concert bands and marching bands at the elementary, high school and college levels, serving as Director of Bands at both the University of Rhode Island and Iowa State University.

Today, Roger is a freelance composer and arranger, writing for high school, university and professional bands, professional orchestras, and the commercial music industry. His works range from small ensembles literature to compositions and arrangements for marching band, concert band, and symphonic orchestra. He has over 300 compositions and arrangements to his name, including those published by Daehn Publications, C. Alan Publications, and Ludwig Masters Publications. Cichy’s music has been recorded by premier ensembles such as the North Texas Wind Symphony, the United States Air Force Academy Band and the University of Georgia Wind Symphony. He has received numerous composition awards from The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for serious music.

Composing music for a wide variety of genres including orchestras, choruses, wind bands, small ensembles and music for film, Cichy is widely sought for commissions. The music of Roger Cichy is continually being performed throughout the United State and abroad.

His works have been performed at many prestigious conventions including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA National and Regional Conventions, ASBDA Conventions, MENC National and Regional Conventions, several All-State Festivals and appear on many contest lists throughout the country. In 2008, Mark Masters released a CD recording of Cichy’s music titled Sounds Sketches and Ideas, which received Grammy listings in three categories. His film score for the PBS documentary The American St. Nick earned him an Emmy.

Spotlight: Dr William McManus

Dr William G McManus
Music Director Emeritus

Dr. William McManus was Music Director of the Concord Band from 1995 to 2009. Upon his retirement, he was named Music Director Emeritus.

Dr McManus was Associate Professor of Music Education at Boston University from 2003-2008,and Chair of the Music Education Department from 2005 until 2008. Prior to joining Boston University, he taught at New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, and Fitchburg State College, and served on the National Executive Board and as Eastern Division President of MENC (The National Association for Music Education), and as President, All State Concert Chair, Professor Programs Director, and Research Chair of MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators Association).

A graduate of The Boston Conservatory and Boston University, Dr. McManus taught music in Leicester (MA) and Westborough (MA), and was Director of Fine and Performing Arts for the Belmont Public Schools from 1984 until 2001.

In 1995, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) awarded Dr McManus the MMEA Distinguished Service Award, the most prestigious award presented by that organization. He has also been awarded a Lowell Mason Award and Visionary Leadership Award by the MMEA. In 2008. Dr McManus was honored by the Boston University College of Fine Arts as the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award.

An active conductor, Dr McManus was Music Director of the Concord Band from 1995 – 2008. He has been conductor of the 215th Army Band, the Framingham Concert Band, and the Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble. He has appeared as guest conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band, The United States Youth Wind Ensemble, the Boston University Concert Band, and he has conducted many All-District and All State Bands.

In recent years, Dr McManus has concentrated on arranging music for concert band and jazz ensemble and composing original music for symphonic band and various chamber groups. Recent compositions for symphonic band include Fruitlands Overture (2010), Elegy (2012), and Blue Sterling (2013).