Sep 18, 2017
I am thrilled to welcome conductor Jerry Junkin to the show for a conversation about his career, how every commission provides a new opportunity, and the importance of cultivating good relationships.
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Biography:
In his 25th season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the
Dallas Winds, Jerry Junkin is recognized as one of the world’s most
highly regarded wind conductors. He has served as Music Director
and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia since 2003,
additionally, 2017-18 marks his 30th year on the faculty of The
University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Vincent R. and
Jane D. DiNino Chair for the Director of Bands. There, he also
holds the title of University Distinguished Teaching Professor.
Previously, he served on the faculties of both the University of
Michigan and the University of South Florida. In addition to his
responsibilities as Professor of Music and Conductor of the Texas
Wind Ensemble, he serves as Head of the Division of Conducting and
Ensembles and teaches courses in conducting and wind band
literature. He is a recipient of multiple teaching awards, and
students of Mr. Junkin hold major positions throughout the world.
Since 2007, he has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the
Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Wind Symphony in Tokyo.
Performances under the direction of Mr. Junkin have won the praise
of such notable musicians as John Corigliano, David Del Tredici,
Gunther Schuller, Karel Husa, William Kraft, Jacob Druckman and
Michael Colgrass, among many others. Mr. Junkin has released over
30 compact disc recordings for the Reference, Klavier and Naxos
labels. The New York Times named his recent release on the
Reference Recordings label, Bells for Stokowski, one of the best
classical CD’s of the year. His performance of Circus Maximus with
The University of Texas Wind Ensemble was recently released on the
world’s first Blu Ray audio disc in 5.1 surround sound by Naxos and
was nominated for a GRAMMY. During the summer of 2014 he led The
University of Texas Wind Ensemble on a four week tour around the
world.
Jerry Junkin is an enthusiastic advocate of public school music
education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in
forty-eight states and on five continents. He spends his summers in
residence at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, as well as
appearing at major music festivals throughout the world.
Mr. Junkin has served as President of the Big XII Band Director's
Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of The John
Philip Sousa Foundation, is Past-President of the American
Bandmasters Association, and is Past President of the College Band
Directors National Association. Regularly making guest appearances
with ensembles such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and the
Taipei Symphonic Winds, the 2017-18 season finds him conducting
throughout the United States in addition to multiple appearances in
Japan, China, and Europe. In 2005 he was presented the Grainger
Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society in
recognition of his championing of Grainger’s works, and he has
received numerous career awards from Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu,
and the Midwest Clinic, among others. Mr. Junkin is a Yamaha Master
Educator.