How can we best facilitate accomplished and artistic performances by responding in real-time to influence the sounds our students produce? Through demonstration with an ensemble, this session posits effective conducting and teaching are one in the same, presenting an approach to gesture and movement based on instigating changes in how players move air, articulate, listen, and shape the music.
Travis J. Cross (he/him) serves as professor of music and director of bands at UCLA, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, leads the graduate wind conducting program, and chairs the music department. He was also associate dean for academic mentoring and opportunity during the initial years of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Cross has conducted the UCLA Wind Ensemble at the California All-State Music Education Conference and College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division conference and prepared the band for centenary performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.