FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/07/22
ASB Appoints Dr. Kyle Glaser as Music Director
Austin, TX:
After an extensive search, the Austin Symphonic Band is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Kyle R. Glaser as the new Music Director! Dr. Glaser will be only the fourth Music Director since the band was formed in 1981. Previous directors were Frank Simon (1981-82), Randol Bass (1983-85), and Richard Floyd (1986-2021). Assistant Music Director Bill Haehnel was appointed in 2003.
Dr. Glaser was chosen from a field of outstanding candidates, each eminently qualified to lead the ensemble. He was the band’s guest conductor for the November 14, 2021 concert at Weiss High School, entitled “Stage and Screen.”
In accepting his appointment, Dr. Glaser said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Austin Symphonic Band family! Community bands have had a tremendous impact on my life, and to have the opportunity to conduct this storied program comprised of so many talented musicians is a dream come true.
“The legacy of excellence established by former directors Frank Simon, Randol Bass and Richard Floyd charted ASB’s course for over forty years. I look forward to continuing their vision by providing musically-rewarding, engaging, and entertaining performances for all to enjoy.
“I am truly honored for the opportunity to serve ASB and the greater Austin area. I hope you will all come see and hear this wonderful community in concert!”
Board President Allan Adelman reflected on the selection process:
“This has been a long time coming. The Selection Committee began accepting applications more than two years ago in early 2020. The pandemic slowed us down by quite a bit, but we are so thankful to have come out on the other side of this search; and we met some fantastic musicians along the way. We look forward to a new era of music-making with Dr. Glaser.”
Executive Director Lisa Castleman said:
“The ASB and its members have a rich history of playing together for years—and for some, decades. We are family and Dr. Glaser just fit right in. His rehearsals and performance were life-giving, and that’s what ASB is all about. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for ASB.”
Dr. Glaser will conduct the first concert of his inaugural season as Music Director on Sunday, September 18th at the Zilker Hillside Theater. The concert is free and open to the public. Stay tuned for upcoming 2022-2023 Season Announcements.
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Meet Dr. Kyle Glaser
Dr. Kyle R. Glaser serves as Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Texas State University, where his responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Winds, overseeing all athletic bands, and teaching various methods classes. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Music degree in Conducting from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University.
Prior to his appointment at Texas State, Glaser served as Director of Bands at the East Stroudsburg Area South High School in northeastern Pennsylvania and as interim director of the East Stroudsburg University Community Concert Band.
Glaser maintains an active schedule as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator across the nation. His significant research of the music of Robert Russell Bennett has resulted in a performance edition of the wind band suite Down to the Sea in Ships, issued by Alfred Publications. He is co-author of the workbook Conducting Enrichment: Daily Exercises for the Conducting Curriculum, published by Sentia Publishing. Additionally, Glaser has contributed several chapters to the GIA Publications Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. He has also served as the national vice president for professional relations for Tau Beta Sigma, the national band sorority.
Glaser's professional memberships include the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the International Society for the Research & Promotion of Wind Music, and Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity.
He resides in Austin with his wife Suzanne, who is a band director at Gorzycki Middle School, and their charming daughter Eryn.
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