Northwestern University

Northwestern University was chartered as an independent institution of higher education in 1851, and its growth has paralleled the dynamic rise of Chicago, the metropolitan focus of its old Northwest Territory. Northwestern's development has fulfilled the expectations of its founders, whose purpose was to establish "a university of the highest order of excellence." Today, Northwestern is one of the largest privately controlled universities in the United States. It has an annual enrollment of about 17,000 men and women on its Evanston and Chicago campuses. Full-time undergraduate enrollment in Evanston is held to approximately 7,500. Full-time graduate students in Evanston number about 4,700. Total enrollment on the Chicago campus is approximately 4,800. The educational aim of Northwestern University is to be a community of scholars in which faculty and students can acquire the knowledge, competence, and wisdom to live full lives and contribute to the well-being of their fellow men.

Northwestern Bands

The Northwestern University band program began in 1926 under the leadership of Glenn Cliffe Bainum. The tradition of excellence that he instilled was carried on from 1953 to 1996 by John P. Paynter. The School of Music at Northwestern University is proud to have Mallory Thompson as the current Director of Bands. Under her direction, the bands at Northwestern continue to expand and evolve in their position of national and international leadership. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, called, "the nation's finest" by prominent wind band conductors in America, has specialized in the interpretation of the richest and most demanding repertoire. The University Symphonic Band and Concert Band offer musicians at Northwestern the opportunity to perform original and transcribed musical literature for winds. Two large jazz ensembles and the Contemporary Music Ensemble produce exciting, quality performances in their respective idioms.

Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band

The "Wildcat" Marching Band has long been recognized as one of the most impressive in the nation. Composed of 147 university students, this great, time-honored organization is known for its high-energy approach to football entertainment. The combination of tremendous spirit with quality playing and sizzling arrangements creates excitement unmatched in any other arena. The Marching Band performs for all home games. An all-expense-paid preseason band camp in Lake Geneva, WI brings band members together for a week before New Student Week. It provides them with an opportunity to meet their new classmates and friends while learning and polishing the skills necessary to qualify as a member of the "FINEST BAND IN THE LAND." Highlights of the 2006 season include six home game appearances, a road trip to the University of Iowa, the Homecoming Pep Rally and Parade featuring NU alumnus Stephen Colbert, and the annual NUMB awards banquet. NUMB is open to all students with previous band experience, providing great fun and excitement in a dynamic Big Ten setting. The "Wildcat" Marching Band is presented by the School of Music at Northwestern University, Toni-Marie Montgomery, Dean.
Membership:
143 Men and Women

Instrumentation:
Wind instrument block of 104, 26 percussion, 10 colorguard, a feature twirler, and 2 drum majors

Specialties:
The "Wildcat" Marching Band has long been famous for its blending of marching and playing perfection, a variety of captivating musical arrangements, and clever routines, as well as for its a capella singing of the Alma Mater, fantastic spirit and energy, and entirely volunteer membership.

Uniforms:
The "Wildcat" Marching Band unveiled an entirely new uniform for the 1996 Rose Bowl game. The uniform features a predominantly black background with the Northwestern University colors represented in a purple overlay and a purple cape. A modified West Point shako, high white plume, white gloves and spats complete the uniform.

Guard:
Since 1948, the "Wildcat" Band has been fronted by the colors of the Big Ten Conference universities. Purple and white drill flags were added in 1975. On the field, the flag corps provides color, flash, and visual enhancement of half-time drills and concert numbers.

Directors

Mallory Thompson

Mallory Thompson is the director of bands, professor of music and coordinator of the Conducting Program at Northwestern University. In 2003 she was named a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence. As the third person in the University's history to hold the director of bands position, she conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, administers all aspects of the band program, and is coordinator of the Conducting Program. In addition, Dr. Thompson is Artistic Director of the Northshore Concert Band. Prior to this appointment, Professor Thompson held similar positions at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the University of South Florida, Oberlin Conservatory, and Bucknell University. She has released recordings with the University of Cincinnati Wind Symphony and the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Professor Thompson received the Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger.

Professor Thompson maintains an active schedule as guest conductor, clinician, and guest lecturer throughout the United States and Canada. She has appeared as a conductor or clinician at College Band Directors National Association regional and national conventions, the Mid-West Clinic, the Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Aspen Music Festival and has conducted the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C., the Dallas Wind Symphony, and the Symphony Silicon Valley. Her professional affiliations include Pi Kappa Lambda, the Music Educators National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association, and the American Bandmasters Association.

Daniel J. Farris

Daniel J. Farris is the Director of Athletic Bands at Northwestern University, where he is responsible for conducting the "Wildcat" Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band and Basketball Band. He also teaches conducting, marching band techniques and secondary music education methods. Mr. Farris was recently appointed Director of Northwestern's National Summer High School Music Institute.

Prior to moving to Northwestern, Mr. Farris served as Assistant Director of Bands/Marching Band Director at Illinois State University in Normal, IL and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Bands under his direction have performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bands of America Regional and National Championships, the Dublin, Ireland St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the Alamo Bowl. He also served as Director/Consultant to the Walt Disney World Collegiate All-Star Band in Orlando, FL, and taught in the public schools of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Mr. Farris has been a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor in the United States and Canada. He holds degrees in Music Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg,VA, and The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He is a member of the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, International Association of Jazz Educators and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi.

Ryan Nelson

Ryan Nelson is the Interim Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, teaches conducting, and teaches courses in music education. Prior to Northwestern, Mr. Nelson was a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of North Texas. At North Texas he taught fundamental and advanced conducting, conducted the Concert Band, and frequently guest conducted the North Texas Wind Symphony. He was also the Director of Bands / Music Department Chair in the Beaver Area School District in Beaver, Pennsylvania and the Assistant Conductor of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh. Mr. Nelson received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Duquesne University, where he studied conducting with Brady Allred. His Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in conducting are from the University of North Texas, where he was a student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon.
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