Jan 8, 2020
Being a music educator is an
occupying job with regards to time and balance. Imagine having the
job of being a prominent composer in addition to that! In this
interview, I had the privilege to chat with Mike Kamuf on how he
balances a busy schedule of being a working composer in addition to
leading the band and orchestra program at John T. Baker Middle
School in Damascus, MD.
Topics include:
(03:24) Mike talks about his
life and background as a composer/educator
(04:45) Mike talks about
how he began composing music
(09:03) Balancing a career as a
composer and educator
(11:03) What educators should
know about the composing/publishing business
(21:58) How being an educator
influences Mike’s approach to composing music
(25:25) Advice for composing
your own music
(27:19) Quality in musical
repertoire
(30:34) Favorite rehearsal
tactics
(32:34) Why do we teach
music?
(34:07) Mike discusses leaders
that have made an impact on his life
(38:18) Advice for music
educators
Links:
Mike’s website: https://www.mikekamuf.com/
Mike’s page on Alfred Music
Publishing: https://www.alfred.com/authors/mike-kamuf/
Videos of Mike performing with
the Mike Kamuf Little Big Band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elY-DT_HY_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttdGvh9Qd4
Compositions/arrangements by
Mike -
Red Clay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=_7xotU5GrBo&feature=emb_title
Watermelon Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpxHbie4Q9c&feature=emb_title
Such Sweet Thunder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWo9pNDrQUU&feature=emb_title
L’improviste Vignette:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=aWCFlbKI9j0&feature=emb_title
Allegory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=Nmpilas3KpE&feature=emb_title
Onore!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=BX4hDi03DPo&feature=emb_title
Bio:
A native of Cleveland, Ohio,
Mike Kamuf holds Bachelor of Music degrees in both Jazz Performance
and Music Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown
State University (Youngstown, OH) and a Master of Arts degree in
Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA).
Mike’ s compositions and arrangements have been performed by
numerous jazz artists and ensembles including the Woody Herman and
Glenn Miller Orchestras, the USAF Airmen of Note, James Moody,
Eddie Daniels, Sean Jones, Terell Stafford, Bill Watrous and Nick
Brignola to name a few.
Mike is an exclusive writer for the Belwin
Division of Alfred Music Publishing with titles in the jazz, string
orchestra and concert band catalogs. He also has compositions for
jazz ensemble published by UNC Jazz Press, the Neil A. Kjos Music
and the FJH Music Company.
Mike has performed with the
Woody Herman and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras and has recorded as a
member of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra. He served as assistant
principal trumpet of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra under
Maestro David Effron. Currently, Mike leads his own jazz octet, the
Mike Kamuf Little Big Band, comprised of outstanding musicians from
the Baltimore and Washington DC areas.
Mike has taught instrumental
music for Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools (MCPS) since
the fall of 1992. He has been in his current teaching position
since 1995 as the Director of Bands and Orchestras and Music
Department Chairperson at John T. Baker Middle School (Damascus,
MD). Under his direction, the Baker ensembles consistently receive
high ratings at music festivals and have commissioned four works
for young concert bands. In 2007, Mike received the
Superintendent’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award for
his efforts in involving students in the commissioning process and
has directed the MCPS Senior Honors Jazz Band and Junior Honors
Band. He has served as a jazz faculty member at Youngstown State
University and Montgomery College (Rockville, MD). Mike has become
an in demand arranger, clinician and adjudicator for schools,
professional development conferences and music festivals across the
country.