THE DIGITAL DIRECTOR'S LOUNGE was created by Professor Robert Ambrose to allow space for band directors and friends to collaborate with musical leaders. Each week, a leader (or leaders) in the wind band or music industry will join Dr. Ambrose to speak about a topic of his/her choice and answer questions. Last week, Dr. Ambrose revealed that the Digital Director's Lounge just went national. Ambrose shared more with us about the concept of the lounge and why he decided to create this virtual space. What prompted you to start a Digital Director's Lounge? As host, can you tell me about the format you’ve chosen? Can you tell me about the audience? Can you share one or two common, at-distance concerns that you hear from your audience? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE DIGITAL DIRECTOR'S LOUNGE, Tuesday, April 21, 8:30 pm Band director legends Richard and Cheryl Floyd will join Dr. Ambrose in the lounge. Dick and Cheryl bring decades of experience with them and are two of the most well-respected directors in our profession. Richard Floyd recently retired as State Director of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. He now holds the title UIL State Director of Music Emeritus. Floyd also serves as musical director and conductor of the Austin Symphonic Band, which is one of the premier adult concert bands in America. Cheryl Floyd is in her 25th year as director of bands at Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas. She was one of the first females and middle school band directors to be elected to the American Bandmasters Association. Musical organizations under her leadership are consistently under recognition for their musical excellence. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE DIGITAL DIRECTOR'S LOUNGE will be open every Tuesday night, beginning at 8:30 pm Eastern time. Drop in to talk, to ask questions or to listen. Check our facebook.com/gsumusic page for upcoming guests. Communications Manager
During these de-humanizing times, I wanted to create a space where band directors and others could get together once a week to interact with and learn from the greatest minds in our profession. I have dubbed it "a place to interact with musical leaders."
The shows will last 60 to 90 minutes, and I will serve as both host and moderator. The guests have a few topics about which they may want to speak, but my goal is for this to be very interactive. I don't want it to be a place where the participants listen with their microphones muted. The interaction is an essential part of why I started this.
I am advertising throughout the country, but I imagine that we will get some international guests as well.
The main concern is the same for everyone. The purpose of a large ensemble is to create a unified whole from the individual parts, and without the ability to be in the same room, we cannot achieve that. Attempts to do so have been novel and interesting, but they fall far short of what the large ensemble experience is supposed to be.Media Contact
Gail Rodriguez
School of Public Health
Center for Leadership in Disability[email protected]