Dr. Wayne Gorder, Director of Bands
(330)
672-2965,
wgorder@kent.edu
Wayne Gorder joined the faculty of Kent State University in the fall of 1987. He previously held faculty positions at Milikin University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Western Washington University and for five years taught in the public schools of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. On three occasions in Washington his Wind Ensemble or Orchestra performed featured concerts for the All-Northwest Convention of the Music Educators National Conference. At Kent State, his duties include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and teaching undergraduate and graduate level conducting. His Kent groups have appeared at major conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the Ohio Music Educators Association, as well as throughout Ohio and the eastern United States on tours of high schools and colleges. His conducting graduates currently hold positions as Directors of Bands or professors of instrumental music education at colleges, universities, and high schools throughout the United States and Canada.
Gorder holds the bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and master's and doctorate in music education from the University of Illinois. He has conducted, performed, adjudicated, and offered clinics and workshops in twenty-eight states and five provinces of Canada. His awards from music organizations include the "Citation of Excellence" from the National Band Association and he is listed in numerous "Who's Who" references. Recent personal appearances have included clinics and adjudications for the Illinois "Super-State Band Contest", and in Chicago, Minneapolis, Vancouver B.C., Toronto and Saskatoon. He has appeared as guest conductor at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and at international conventions of the International Trumpet Guild and the International Trombone Association. He has conducted the New Mexico All-State Concert Band in Albuquerque, and the Nebraska All-State Collegiate Wind Ensemble. In February of 2006, he conducted the Washington Music Educators’ Association All-State Wind Ensemble.
Gorder is a published composer and author whose work has appeared in publications such as BandWorld, BDGuide, and the Journal of Research in Music Education. His book length Sound Training: Chorales of J.S. Bach with Supplementary Instructional Materials is published by Ludwig Music Inc., and his edition of Carl Nielsen's previously unpublished Paraphrase on "Nearer My God, To Thee" was also released by Ludwig Music. In 1995, Gorder served on the civilian panel which chose the conductor of the United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C. He has served as Ohio Chair of the College Band Directors’ National Association and as President of the Mid-America Conference Band Directors’ Association.
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Mr. H. Scott Curfman, Director of Athletic Bands
(330) 672-2515,
hcurfman@kent.edu
Scott Curfman began his duties as Director of Athletic Bands in the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University during the summer of 2004. Curfman's responsibilities include direction of the Marching Golden Flashes and the Flasher Brass Basketball Band. Conductor of the University Band, he co-conducts the Concert Band with Director of Bands, Dr. Wayne Gorder. He also teaches conducting and marching band techniques classes.
Prior to his appointment at Kent State, Scott Curfman served for thirteen years as Director of Bands for the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools. A veteran teacher, Mr. Curfman also taught in Copley-Fairlawn, Rittman, Akron-Firestone and Nordonia schools. Scott holds degrees from the Ohio State University (BME) and from the VanderCook College of Music (MME). He was the High School Fine Arts Department Chair in the “Falls” and served area universities as a Cooperating Teacher with over 20 student teachers.
Under Mr. Curfman's direction, the Cuyahoga Falls Bands traveled extensively and successfully throughout the United States. The Symphonic Band earned numerous superior ratings, in class AA, in OMEA Adjudicated Events. In 2003, the Symphonic Band was invited as the only high school band to perform at the ASBDA National Convention. The Tiger Marching Band participated in the Peach Bowl Parade, Brach's Holiday Parade in Chicago, the 1999 Kickoff Classic in Giant's Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the 2001 Holiday Bowl Parade in San Diego, the 1999 and 2003 Fiesta Bowl Parades in Tempe, Arizona.
Inducted into the American School Band Directors Association in 1986, he conducted their “High School Honor Band” at the 2005 State Convention. Mr. Curfman is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Ohio Music Education Association, and Music Educators National Conference. In 2001 he was named the "Outstanding Educator" by the Cuyahoga Falls PTA Council. He is an adjudicator for OMEA and has served on the band music selection committee. Scott has judged and hosted events in Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and Canada for "Music in the Parks". As the Past -President of the VanderCook College of Music Alumni Association, he is active as guest conductor and clinician.
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Mr. Chas Baker, Director of Jazz Ensembles
(330) 672-4545,
chbaker@kent.edu
Chas Baker is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Kent State University and has directed Jazz Ensembles since 1977.
His professional background includes experience as trombone soloist with the Austrian Radio and Television Network Big Band in Vienna, Austria. In 1968-'69 as a U.S. Army bands man he was trombone soloist with the 1st Air Cavalry Division Band, Viet Nam.
Since returning from abroad he has been an active player in the Cleveland area, performing with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, at The Cleveland Bop Stop, and for Cleveland Playhouse Square productions, playing for such artists as Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Terry Gibbs and David Sanborn.
He is active as clinician, soloist and adjudicator in public schools and colleges throughout Northeastern Ohio.
Mr. Baker has written jazz compositions and arrangements for The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The Jazz Unit, Kent Jazz Ensemble and area high school jazz bands.
In 1997 he was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award by the Kent State University Alumni Association and The Kent State University Foundation.
He received his B.A. and M.M. degrees from Kent State University and graduated from the U.S. Army/Navy School of Music at Norfolk, Virginia.
