A Conversation with Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University

Hal Leonard, the world's largest sheet music and music education publisher, and music innovators Muse Group, launch MuseClass, an assignment, grading, and music content platform set to transform instrumental teaching (grade 6-12) in the U.S. MuseClass allows music educators and band directors to share, collect, and grade assignments on an easy-to-use platform, which also contains a curated library of educational content. Students receive assignments through the MuseClass app (available on iOS, Android & Chromebook), and can submit their progress as video or audio recordings, or upload worksheets.  One notable MuseClass feature is AutoGrade, the AI-powered practice tool. This pioneering technology listens to a student's performance and provides immediate feedback on timing and pitch, even for polyphonic instruments like piano or guitar. The tool can inspire students to repeat their practice sessions, or a teacher can set an AutoGrade challenge as an assignment. At launch, MuseClass includes free digital content from Hal Leonard's iconic Essential Elements, the gold-standard curriculum for bands and strings in the U.S. now available in concert with next-generation digital tools for the first time. The content library is set to rapidly expand in the coming school year with pedagogical scores and method books drawn from Hal Leonard's exclusively licensed, premium arrangements — current titles span everything from Taylor Swift and The Beatles to John Williams and Disney soundtracks. Teachers can also compose their own exercises or worksheets with MuseScore Studio, Muse Group's award-winning, intuitive notation software. The platform is completely free for all schools until August 1 2025 and will continue to be developed with close feedback from music educators. In year two, MuseClass remains free for teachers, with a $15.99 annual cost per student and custom offerings for school districts. MuseClass marks the first major release since Hal Leonard joined digital-content and technology leader Muse Group last year, with a shared vision to provide unparalleled access to the best resources to music makers worldwide. The new MuseClass reworks a Muse Group prototype, which is transformed with the addition of Hal Leonard's content catalog and unparalleled 70 years of experience collaborating with U.S. educators. The AutoGrade tool within MuseClass is the next step in the evolution of Muse Group's machine learning listening technology. In September 2023, the iPad app StaffPad launched 'Piano Capture,' a feature that hears real piano performances and converts them into readable sheet music — technology recently spotlighted in Apple's M4 chiplaunch. In January 2024, the same capability was deployed in Ultimate Guitar's Practice Mode, extending this breakthrough technology to millions of digital music makers. Now in MuseClass' AutoGrade, a whole generation of young learners can enjoy the benefits of practicing and improving instrumental skills with AI-guidance. In the future, the MuseClass feature set and content library is set to expand based on the evolving needs of U.S. teachers — including print offerings for band leaders and Google Classroom integration. MuseClass software for Kindergarten to Grade 6 educators and for regions outside the U.S. is also coming soon.  MuseClass is available now, and completely free to get started in 2024. ‍

Jim was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and graduated from Silver Heights Collegiate in 1984. That same year his quintet won top high school combo in Canada and he was selected lead tenor in the Canadian High School All Star Jazz Ensemble. His school band directors were Wilfred Jones and Jim Mackay. In June 1986, he was profiled in DOWNBEAT magazine as a young musician deserving of wider recognition. Mair graduated from the University of Mary (Bismarck, North Dakota) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education (1988) and the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dancewith a Master of Arts degree in music (1990). He studied with Scott Prebys and Loran Eckroth at U-Mary from 1984 to 1988, Mike Parkinson Gary Foster and Tim Timmons at UMKC from 1988 to 1990 and did additional studies at the Banff Summer Jazz Workshop with Dave Holland. Kenny Wheeler and Pat Labarbera in 1988. He is a two-time full fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival in 1989 and 1990. Jim was Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental and Jazz Studies at Kansas City Kansas Community College from 1999-2023. In December 2014, his college big band performed at the 30th annual Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba. He also serves as the Artistic Director/Founder of The Kansas City Jazz Alliance (501c3), The Kansas City High School and Middle School Jazz All Stars program and is the producer of The Kansas City Jazz Summit which includes the annual Basically Basie Competition. From 2003 to 2010 he served as the Artistic Director/Conductor for The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (501c3), a performance organization that he co-founded. Jim is a co-founder of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival. Mair has also served on the faculty at the College of Southern Idaho, the International Music Camp, and the Charlie Parker Academy of the Arts. In addition, he has served as a staff writer for the Saxophone Journal and since 1992 has served as an artist/clinician for the Selmer Instrument Company. Mair has conducted the North Dakota, South Dakota (twice) and Idaho All-State Jazz Ensembles (twice) and the Kansas City All District Jazz Band (six times). While teaching in Idaho from 1995 to 1999 his radio show "Table Down Front" was broadcast across the northwest on NPR affiliates. His performance credits include appearances at the Havana, Cuba Jazz Festival, New York City JVC Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, IAJE Convention, JEN Convention, Carnegie Recital Hall, Birdland and Showman's Cafe in New York City and the Duchin Room in Sun Valley, Idaho. In 1999, Mair was honored by the Governor of Idaho for his outstanding contributions to the Arts. He received the same recognition from the state of Kansas in 2010. In the spring of 2013 Mair received the Henry Louis Teaching Excellence Award from KCKCC as faculty member of the year. In early 2014, he was awarded the League for Innovation John & Suanne Roueche Teaching Excellence Award. In 2015, he was awarded an Honorary degree from the University of West London's, (England) London College of Music for his contributions to jazz education both in North America and in the United Kingdom. Additional accolades include Alumnus of the Year at both of the universities that he attended. University of Mary in 1995 and in 2017 the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Also in 2017 The Kansas City Jazz Alliance formed by Mair and his wife received Jazz Distinction recognition in a concert celebration at the Johnny Pacheco Latin Music and Jazz Festival at Lehman College (SUNY) in the Bronx, New York. In 2021, the annual 4 day Kansas City Jazz Summit was selected as "Best of Kansas City" for local businesses and in 2022 the readers of JAM magazine voted Jim, Kansas City's Favorite Saxophonist. Mair serves on the advisory board for the Metheny Family Music Foundation and the Burnett Family Foundation. Jim has on multiple occasions performed as a soloist, the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada at NCAA college and professional sporting events including for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Monarchs home games. Retiring from 28 years of college teaching in July 2023, the academic year 2023-2024 found Mair serving as an Artist in Residence at Fort Richmond Collegiate in his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada directing the jazz bands and teaching three sections of beginning band. In the fall of 2024 Jim will join the full-time music staff at St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS where he will serve as Assistant Director of Bands and Jazz Specialist.  

John Armato is a Senior Partner and Creative Strategist for Fleishman Hillard, a Global PR and Marketing Agency.  John was a percussionist in his high school band and over 40 years later, music is still a vital part of his life.  In addition to his professional career, John still performs, has recorded and produced his own album, "The Drummer Loves Ballads" and has a jazz radio show, "The A List with John Armato" that can be found at:   https://easyjazzradio.com/the-a-list-with-john-armato/  

Professor John Whitwell, who retired as professor of music and director of MSU Bands, has distinguished himself in the field of music as an educator, clinician, conductor, adjudicator, and author. He earned an associate degree from Rochester College (formerly known as Michigan Christian College), a bachelor's degree in music education from Abilene Christian University, and a master of music degree from the University of Michigan. Professor Whitwell began his teaching career in 1965 and held positions as a music teacher, director of bands, and music department chairperson at public schools in Jackson and Ann Arbor. Before joining MSU in 1993, he taught at Stephen F. Austin State University and Abilene Christian University. During his time as director of bands at Michigan State, Professor Whitwell served as chairperson of the conducting area. As a lecturer, guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, he participated in hundreds of music conferences, state and national music association meetings, workshops, festivals, and music competitions throughout the United States and elsewhere, including England, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, and Mexico. He joined the board of the Midwest Clinic, one of the world's largest instrumental music conferences, in 1997. His writings have appeared in several music journals and other publications. He is a tireless supporter of the MSU Alumni Band Association and has worked with that organization to commission new works for band. He received MSU's Distinguished Faculty Award in 2003 and the Paul Varg Alumni Award for Faculty from the College of Arts and Letters in 2004.  

A dear friend of Charlie's returns to the program after a couple of years.  Together in Fargo, North Dakota for the Raging Red Band Festival, Charlie caught up with John a couple of weeks after the event to catch up on life and talk about all things band.

Steve Peterson, Director of Bands (Retired) at the University of Illinois shares his journey from learning the piano to ending up leading one of the most prestigious band programs in the country.  Steve has not forgotten his roots, nor those who served as mentors throughout his education and career.  This is a conversation you will not want to miss.

Dr. Rick Fleming, Director of Bands at SUNY's - Buffalo State University campus talks about his beginnings as a trombone player, and the steps that led him to his current position.  Rick also shares a wonderful question posed by his Ph.D. conducting professor, Dr. James Croft.  

Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss is Conductor of the Tara Winds and is the retired Director of Bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  An accomplished musician and conductor alike, Andrea Strauss holds the Women Band Directors International Scroll of Excellence among the many honor and awards she has received throughout her career.

Dr. Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University highlights his journey from growing up in Glascow, Montana to becoming Director of Bands at NDSU.  We chat about some of the issues directors face when preparing a group for a festival performance, repertoire being performed and a whole lot more.

Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends returns thanks to a blizzard that cancelled day one of the Raging Red Band Festival, in Fargo, North Dakota.   In an effort to provide some information to the directors who didn't get a chance to participate, along with the general listening audience, you will hear this, the first of a six-part podcast featuring the administrators of the festival as well as the clinicians who were at the event.  Today's podcast features Bill Law, Assistant Director of Fine Arts and North Dakota State University and John Warren, Festival Director.  Future podcasts will feature Dr. Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University, Andrea DeRenzis Strauss who directs the Tara Winds in Georgia, Steve Peterson, retired Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Rick Fleming, Director of Bands at SUNY - Buffalo State University, Buffalo, NY and John Climer, retired Director of Bands from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.