NDSU Music faculty and ensembles participated in the North Dakota Music Educators Association Conference in Bismarck, N.D., March 28-30.

The Statesmen, a male choir open to all NDSU students, were invited to perform during the convention at the Bismarck Civic Center. Conducted by Michael Weber, associate professor, the choir performed pieces by Aaron Copland, Leland Sateren, Gwynth Walker and The Mainstreeters.

Matthew Patnode, associate professor, and the NDSU Saxophone Quartet led a clinic focusing on the use of saxophone quartets in a high school setting to enhance the music educator’s band program. Topics included set-up of the ensemble, tuning and fingering considerations. The NDSU Saxophone Quartet includes graduate student Kohei Kameda and undergraduate students Carolyn Braus, Andrew Budke and Richard Prigge.

Warren Olfert, associate professor, presented a session titled “Rehearsing with the End in Mind” and discussed concert band rehearsal techniques from preparation to the final performance.