Dr. Erika Svanoe, Conductor
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    • Concert Band
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Education

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Doctor of Musical Arts in ​Conducting, 2009
Ohio State University | Columbus, OH
major teacher: Dr. Russel Mikkelson
dissertation: El Salón México by Aaron Copland: A Study and Comparison of the Orchestral Score and Two Transcriptions for Band 
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Master of Music in ​Wind Conducting Performance and Pedagogy, 2003
Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, OK
major teacher: Dr. Joseph P. Missal
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Bachelor of Music Education, 1999
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI
Magna Cum Laude

Higher Education Experience

Conductor, The Augsburg Concert Band
Augsburg University | ​Minneapolis, MN, 2016–present
Conduct The Augsburg Concert Band, a concert band with approximately 50% music majors. Teach beginning conducting, advanced/instrumental conducting, instrumental methods, music theory and aural skills, and the clarinet studio. Faculty advisor to the student-run pep band. Assist with departmental duties including recruiting, assessment, and NASM review.

Director of Bands
Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN, 2009–2013
Conduct the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and “Red Line Swingers” pep band. Manage all administrative aspects of BSU Bands. Teach beginning conducting, advanced/instrumental conducting, instrumental techniques, instrumental arranging, music theory, single reed techniques, and the clarinet studio. Observation of student teachers. Teach and administrate Bemidji MusiCamp summer music camp. Assist with departmental duties including recruiting, department assessment committee, NASM review and co-advising of C-MENC/NAfME.

Doctoral Conducting Associate
Ohio State University | School of Music, College of the Arts | Columbus, OH, 2006–2009
Conduct the Collegiate Winds (a concert band with approximately 80% music majors). Guest conduct and assist with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and assist with administration of all OSU Bands. Teach beginning conducting and assist with all undergraduate instrumental conducting courses. Guest conduct the OSU Symphony Orchestra and OSU MasterSingers.

Assistant Director of Bands / Director of Athletic Bands
University of New Hampshire | Durham, NH, 2003–2006
Direction and administration of Wildcat Marching Band, Pep Band, and Bratton Hall Jazz Band (Jazz II). Teach beginning conducting, marching band methods, and introduction to music. Teach conducting lessons and wind literature in the M.A. in Music program. Guest conduct the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. Observation of student teachers, and advising C-MENC.

Graduate Teaching Assistant 
Oklahoma State University | School of Music | Stillwater, OK, 2001–2003
Guest conduct the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, conduct the Chamber Winds, assist and write drill for 250-member member Cowboy Marching Band, teach Jazz Ensemble 3, assist in teaching conducting classes, and conducting Spirit Band.

Public Education Experience

Teaching Artist
Arts Integration Menomonie | Menomonie, WI, 2015-2016
Create and teach arts integrated curriculum with a collaborating elementary classroom teacher. Grant supported.
​AIM portfolio

Band Director
Mukwonago High School & Middle School | ​Mukwonago, WI, 1999–2001
High School responsibilities include conducting the Concert Band, directing the Marching Band, writing drill and organizing summer camp, conducting the Pit Orchestra for musical productions, coaching chamber ensembles, directing after school Jazz Band, directing Pep Band, teaching private lessons, and organizing a tour to Florida. Responsibilities at the Middle School include conducting 7th grade Band, teaching private and group lessons, assisting with after-school Marching and Jazz Bands, conducting summer school band, and teaching 7th grade general music classes.

Community Ensembles and Outreach

Conducting
Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Minneapolis, MN
  • Visiting Conductor, 2020

Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie, WI
  • Orchestra Conductor, The Monster of Phantom Lake (world premiere), 2016

Menomonie Theater Guild, Menomonie, WI​
  • Music Director & Orchestra Conductor, How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying), 2019
  • Music Director & Orchestra Conductor, Guys and Dolls, 2016

Bemidji Area Community Band, Bemidji, MN
  • Co-Conductor & Member-at-large, Board of Directors, 2010–2013

New Hampshire Youth Band & Wind Ensemble, Durham, NH
  • Co-Conductor, 2003–2006​​
Administrative Leadership
University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie, WI
  • Music Director & Reed 1, Little Shop of Horrors, 2016
  • Music Director & Reed 1, A Year with Frog and Toad, 2015

Menomonie Theater Guild, Menomonie, WI
  • President, Board of Directors, 2017–2019
  • Secretary, Board of Directors, 2019–present
  • Assistant Director, The Mousetrap, 2017
  • Music Director & Orchestra Conductor, How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying), 2019
  • Music Director & Orchestra Conductor, Guys and Dolls, 2016

Bemidji Area Community Band, Bemidji, MN
  • Co-Conductor & Member-at-large, Board of Directors, 2010–2013

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Bemidji, MN
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2010–2013

Guest Conducting

Adult, Community, & Professional Ensembles
Adult, Community, & Professional Ensembles
  • Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Minneapolis, MN, 2020
  • ​Ludington Guard Band, Menomonie, WI, 2015–present (recurring)
  • ​Encore Wind Ensemble, Minneapolis, MN, 2018
  • Bemidji Symphony Orchestra | Chamber Ensemble, 2011
  • Claremont American Band, Claremont, NH, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2011
  • Poppler's Music: New Music Reading Clinic, Grand Forks, ND, 2010
  • USAF Heritage of America Band, Williamsburg & Virginia Beach, VA, 2007
College & University Bands
College & University
  • Featured composer/guest conductor, University of Northern Iowa Symphonic Band, 2018
  • Featured composer/guest conductor, University of Wisconsin–River Falls, 2017
  • Guest conductor, University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony, 2017
  • Guest conductor, University of New Hampshire Concert & Marching Bands, 2015
  • Conductor, Minnesota Intercollegiate Honor Band (MMEA), 2012
High School & Middle School Honor Bands & Festivals
High School & Middle School Honor Bands & Festivals
  • Minnesota All-State Band (upcoming, 2020–2021)
  • Augsburg University Honor Band Festival, 2020 (MN)
  • Dunn–St. Croix Honor Band, 2020 (WI)
  • Centennial/Lino Lakes Middle School Band Clinic, 2020 (MN)
  • 28th Annual St. Paul Public School Honor Band, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul, MN, 2019
  • Augsburg University Honor Band Festival, 2019 (MN)
  • Augsburg University Honor Band Festival, 2018 (MN)
  • Rock Valley Honor Band, 2018 (WI)
  • Chanhassen High School Honor Band, 2017 (MN)
  • ​Augsburg College Honor Band Festival, 2017 (MN)
  • Fridley Band Festival, 2017 (MN)
  • Missota Arts Festival Massed Band, 2013 (MN)
  • NWMBDA Honor Band, 2013 (MN)
  • Detroit Lakes All-City Band, 2013 (MN)
  • Bemidji State University Honor Band, 2010–2012 (MN)
  • Rock Valley Conference Honor Band, 2011 (WI)
  • Mondadnock Valley Music Festival, 2005 (NH)
AdjuDicator/Clinician
Large Group Adjudication & Clinics
  • WSMA Large Group, 2015
  • 7A Large Group, 2012
  • Chanhassen, MN, 2011
  • Fergus Falls, MN 2010
  • Maine MEA Large Group, 2006
  • NH BDA Middle School Large Group, 2003–2005​ ​
Solo & Ensemble Clinics
  • WSMA Solo & Ensemble, 2013–present
  • NH MEA Solo & Ensemble, 2003–2006
  • NH MEA Chamber Music Festival, 2004
Music Camps
  • Featured Conductor, UNH Summer Youth Music School, 2015
  • Faculty & Camp Director, Bemidji MusiCamp, 2009–2010
  • Faculty, Ohio State Youth Summer Music Programs, 2007–2009
  • Faculty, UNH Summer Youth Music School, 2003–2006
Marching Band Adjudication
  • Eastern Illinois University Marching Band Festival, 2006
  • Salem (NH) Band Show, 2003–2005

Academic Publications and Presentations

Academic Publications & Presentations
“Embrace the Lag: Performing and creating music through Zoom”
Session presentation, Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Back-to-School Virtual Clinic, Minneapolis, MN, August 13, 2020.

“Mind the Gap: Embracing Internet Latency in Online Ensemble Learning and Performance”
Research presentation, Societal challenges and the Arts: critique, impacts and sustainability in/of interdisciplinary music studies (Grieg Research School Spring Course). The Grieg Academy—Department of Music, University of Bergen Faculty of Fine Art, Music, and Design (KMD), Bergen, Norway, 2020. peer reviewed.
David E. Myers, Erika Svanoe

“Commissioning with Purpose” 
Panel presentation, Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Clinic, 2020.
panelists: Charles Weise, Erika Svanoe

“Rehearsals with an Impact: Ignite Musicality, Expression, and Passion using Knowledge” 
Panel presentation, Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Clinic, 2018.
panelists: Kristen Tjornehoj, Erika Svanoe, Jack Stamp

"Creativity to Reality: Arts Entrepreneurship"
Panel presentation, University of Wisconsin–Stout College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Speaker Series, 2015.
panelists: Erik Evensen, Jonathan Kuuskoski, Kevin Pontuti, Paola Savvidou, Erika Svanoe, Jerry Hui (moderator)

“Rhythmic Notation in Aaron Copland’s El Salón México.” 
Research presentation, College Band Directors National Conference, Seattle WA, 2011. peer reviewed.
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“Rhythmic Notation in Aaron Copland’s El Salón México: A Comparison of the Orchestral Score to the Band Transcription by Mark Hindsley.”
Journal of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles #17, 2010. peer reviewed. [link]

El Salón México by Aaron Copland: A Study and Comparison of the Orchestral Score and Two Transcriptions for Band
Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation
Committee: Dr. Russel C. Mikkelson (advisor),  Dr. Hillary Apfelstadt, Richard Blatti, Dr. Darrel Kinney
[read/download]

Recognition

Impact of Scholarship
  • Interviewed on Masters of the Musiverse web series, episode 1, June 2020
  • Steampunk Suite performed by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, July, 2017
  • Steampunk Suite featured at the American Bandmaster's Association Convention, 2017
  • Steampunk Suite featured on Wisconsin Public Radio's Central Time, 2018
  • Steampunk Suite featured on episode 562 of Wind & Rhythm podcast, March, 2020​
  • Steampunk Suite featured on the Source Material Podcast with Sean Dennison Smith​, February, 2019
  • Steampunk Suite performed by the U.S. Navy Band, February 6, 2020
  • Steampunk Suite featured in upcoming Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, vol. 12, from GIA Publications​
  • The Haunted Carousel listed in The New Winds of Change: The Evolution of the Contemporary American Wind Band/Ensemble and its Music, by Frank L. Battisti, 2018 (Meredith Music Resource)
  • The Haunted Carousel featured at the Kansas Bandmasters Association Convention, 2019
  • Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein (original saxophone quartet) featured at the (virtual) Boston New Music Festival, 2020
  • DMA dissertation cited in "A Process for Transcribing Orchestral Works for Wind Band," by Timothy M. Shade, Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation, University of Miami Frost School of Music
  • Interviewed in "The Composer-Conductor: An Examination of the Relationship and Connection between Two Disciplines," by Zachary J. Friedman, Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation, The Ohio State University
  • Marrying Mr. Darcy featured twice at XOXO Festival in Portland, OR (2014 & 2015)
  • Marrying Mr. Darcy featured in Analogy and Interaction: Creating a Context for Curiosity Through Games and Play, Ewing Gallery of Art & Architecture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Honors
  • Winner, NBA Young Band Composition Contest, 2014
  • Submission of Note, Ball State University Symphony Band Commission Proposal, 2017
  • Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society
  • Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary member)
  • Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate, 2007, 2008, 2009

Professional Development

Professional Affiliations
CBDNA | College Band Directors National Association
NAfME | National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC)
     • NH Collegiate Chapter Coordinator 2003-2006
CMS | College Music Society
MMEA | Minnesota Music Educators Association
WBDI | Women Band Directors International
ASCAP | American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers

​PREVIOUS
Ohio State University Graduate Music Student Association
     • Ensembles Area Representative 2008-2009
NHMEA | New Hampshire Music Educators Association
     • Executive Board Member: Collegiate Chapters Representative 2003-2006
Professional Development
Wisconsin Composition Workshop & Competition, UW–River Falls, 2014
Band Conducting & Pedagogy Workshop, University of Michigan, 2005
CBDNA Wind Band Conducting Symposium, University of Colorado, 2004, 2005
The Art of Wind Band Teaching, University of Minnesota, 1999, 2000
ABOUT  |  CV  |  COMPOSITIONS  |  CONTACT
  • About
    • Full Bio
    • Short Bio
    • Headshots
  • CV
  • Compositions
    • Concert Band
    • Chamber Ensemble
    • Flex Ensemble
  • Media
    • Headshots + Photos
    • Wind Ensemble Conducting
    • Audio
  • Contact