IAN PAGE
Following our recent Masterclass Weekend and Premiere Concert, we are delighted that Dr. Jack Stamp has agreed to become an Honorary Patron of Eynsford Concert Band.
Jack joins Composer – Dr. Nigel Clarke, Councellor Trudy Dean and Conductor Laureate – John Hutchins, all of whom play a fabulous role in helping the band develop and in identifying and securing new opportunities for us.
One such opportunity resulted from Nigel introducing us to Jack.
Jack is a prolific composer and specialises in writing for wind band, so we were delighted when he agreed to write a commission for us and even more delighted when he agreed to visit us and work with us on his new piece. He then returned to conduct the premiere of Reflections on “Weston” during the band’s Christmas Concert on 15th December.
Dr. Jack Stamp recently retired from full-time employment as Professor of Music and Director of Band Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and taught courses in graduate conducting. He recently served as Visiting Professor of Music at Luther College and, prior to this, was adjunct faculty for three years at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Jack received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from IUP, a Master’s in Percussion Performance from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting from Michigan State University where he studied with Eugene Corporon.
In 1996, he received the Orpheus Award from the Zeta Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha for service to music and was named a “Distinguished Alumnus” of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2000, he was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and was awarded the title of “University Professor” for the 2008-2009 academic year at IUP, the highest award the university gives to a professor.
Jack continues to be active as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and composer. He is also the founder and conductor of The Keystone Wind Ensemble, a group dedicated to recording forgotten American band classics.
We would also like to congratulate Jack on his recent appointment as “Composer in Association” to the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band.
Reflections on “Weston” is dedicated to the memory of Joe Stafford, one of the band’s longest standing members, who passed away in early 2017. Joe’s wife had been housekeeper to Ralph Vaughan Williams, who kindly gave her away at their wedding. With Jack being such a passionate fan of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ work, such a connection was too good an opportunity to miss and, when we shared the story with him, he was excited to bring it to life in a composition for us.
Jack currently resides in Hudson, Wisconsin with his wife LeAnn.
