2024 NATIONAL WIND BAND HONORS ADJUDICATORS

Michael Haithcock

Michael Haithcock retired from his duties as director of bands and professor of music (Conducting) at the University of Michigan in May of 2023 after twenty-two years of distinguished leadership which followed his twenty- three years at Baylor University. Following in the footsteps of William D. Revelli and H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Haithcock conducted the internationally renowned University of Michigan Symphony Band, guided the acclaimed band and wind ensemble graduate conducting program, and provided administrative leadership for all aspects of the University of Michigan’s diverse and historic band program. In February of 2012, he was named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor by the University of Michigan which is the University’s highest award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. He is the primary author of the Elements of Expressive Conducting, a widely adapted textbook for conducting classes.

Ensembles under Haithcock’s guidance received a wide array of critical acclaim for their high artistic standards of performance and repertoire. These accolades have come through concert reviews at national and state conventions, performances in major concert venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and a variety of performances presented during the Symphony Band’s May 2011 tour of China, as well as recordings on the Albany, Arsis, and Equilibrium labels. Reviews of the ten commercial CD’s he recorded with the U-M Symphony Band stated, “programming and execution of this caliber ought to be available worldwide…musically impressive, giving a sense of elation.” The American Record Guide praised the “professional manner with which the group delivers…they show great skill and artistry” and proclaimed the “sound of the U-M Symphony Band is something to savor.” The University of Michigan Symphony Band’s YouTube channel is also a highly acclaimed resource for bands around the world as well as an important archive of his artistic accomplishments while director of bands at U-M.

Throughout his career, Professor Haithcock has been a leader in commissioning and premiering new works for band and has earned the praise of both composers and conductors for his innovative approaches to developing the band repertoire as well as his interpretations of new and standard works. He is in constant demand as a guest conductor with professional ensembles, major universities, all-state, and festival ensembles. He is also a resource person for conducting symposiums and workshops in a variety of instructional settings.

A graduate of East Carolina University, where he received the 1996 Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Music, and Baylor University, Haithcock has done additional study at a variety of conducting workshops including the Herbert Blomstedt Orchestral Conducting Institute. The Instrumentalist, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, The School Musician, the Southwest Music Educator, and Winds Magazine have published his articles on conducting and wind literature.

Professor Haithcock is an elected member of both the music honor society Pi Kappa Lambda and the American Bandmasters Association. He remains active in the College Band Directors National Association following his term as president (2001–2003) and was given the organizations Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. In 2011, he was awarded the Distinguished Service to Music Medal by Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Gary Speck

A native Texan, Gary A. Speck is in his thirty-sixth year at Miami University, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and serves as Director of Bands. Professor Speck received the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees magna cum laude from Baylor University in Waco, where he studied conducting with Richard Floyd and Michael Haithcock. After receiving the Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, where he was a student of H. Robert Reynolds, Mr. Speck was a high school band conductor in the Houston area for four years.

In 1987 Mr. Speck was a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of Eugene Corporon. The following year Mr. Speck was appointed to the faculty of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he now conducts the Wind Ensemble, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, wind repertoire and supervises student teaching. Professor Speck has led the Wind Ensemble in ten invited performances for the Ohio Music Education Association, most recently in 2022; seven invited performances for the College Band Directors National Association, including the national conference in 1999; at the inaugural Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Conference in 1996, and at the MENC/Michigan Instrumental Music conference in 2005. Passionately dedicated to his students and the teaching profession, Professor Speck received the Crossan Hays Curry Distinguished Educator Award at Miami University in 2017, and was selected by the Ohio Music Education Association as the Outstanding Music Educator in 2024.

Rodney Dorsey

Rodney Dorsey is Professor of Music at the Florida State University College of Music where he conducts the FSU Wind Orchestra and guides the graduate wind conducting program.

Dr. Dorsey comes to FSU from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he conducted the IU Wind Ensemble and taught graduate conducting courses. Prior to his tenure at the Jacobs School, Dorsey served on the faculties of the University of Oregon, University of Michigan, DePaul University and Northwestern University. He also gained extensive experience teaching in the public schools of Florida and Georgia.

Dorsey studied conducting with Dr. Mallory Thompson, Mr. John P. Paynter, and Dr. James Croft. He was a clarinet student of Mr. Fred Ormand and Dr. Frank Kowalsky.

During his conducting career, he has led performances at several prominent events including the American Bandmasters Association Convention, College Band Directors National Conference North/Northwest Regional Conference, and the Bands of America National Festival. He is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the United States. International engagements include Hungary, Canada, and Bulgaria.

His commitment to community has been demonstrated by his participation on the board of directors for Music for All and the Midwest Clinic. He currently serves as the president of the Midwest Clinic. Other professional memberships include the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Florida Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma (honorary), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Dorsey is also an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. Most recently, Dorsey was named a Yamaha Master Educator.

Mark Camphouse

Mark Camphouse received his formal musical training at Northwestern University. His 36 published works for wind band have received widespread critical acclaim and are performed frequently in the U. S. and abroad. Camphouse is Professor Emeritus of Music at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he conducted the wind symphony and taught courses in composition and conducting.

He has written 6 books with GIA Publications. Professor Camphouse is a recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Faculty Award by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for excellence in teaching, research, and public service, and the Distinguished Service Award by the National Band Association. He retired in 2022 after 44 years of full-time teaching in higher education. He and his wife (Elizabeth Curtis) live in Millville, Delaware, near Bethany Beach and the Atlantic coast.