Esteemed Directer Duane Bierman visits OHS Band
On Thursday, April 12th, the Osmond High School Band had a visitor from Kearney, NE.
Dr. Duane Bierman is Associate Professor of Music at UNK, where he was appointed Director of Bands in 2010. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, assists with the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, directs the UNK Drumline, teaches the percussion studio, and teaches courses in conducting and ensemble techniques as well as other music courses.
Dr. Bierman holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from North Dakota State University, a Master of Music degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Wartburg College (IA). He also taught instrumental music at Allen County Community College (KS) for five years. He regularly serves as a guest conductor and clinician, remaining active locally, regionally, and internationally.
Dr. Bierman's compositions have been performed in many states and at international conferences, and several of his works have been published. He has performed as a percussionist and on drumset for a wide variety of wind bands, orchestras, and jazz ensembles throughout the Midwest, and has performed on several concerts of new music.
He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and serves as faculty sponsor of the chapters at UNK. He is also a member of the College Band Directors National Association, the Percussive Arts Society, NAfME, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, where he is currently serving on their executive board as Concert Band Chair.
Mrs. Ginn had invited Dr. Duane Bierman to come up and work with the Osmond Band students a year ago, and he finally was able to pencil the visit in. The rehearsal began with Mrs. Ginn leading the band through Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst.
This is their District Music Contest piece. Dr. Bierman then gave the students feedback and worked on a few sections of the piece. The rehearsal concluded with the seniors choice song Pilatus: Mountain of Dragons which is what the band plans to play for graduation.
Dr. Bierman also commented on that. Perhaps my favorite comment of the rehearsal was "Move your meat!"
We were so honored and happy to have Dr. Bierman join us. He is planning on returning in May to work on some of the percussion equipment.
It is always a joy to have a visitor come in and encourage our talented students to achieve and perform at their very best.
Biography was found at the following website: http://www.unk.edu/academics/music/fs/duane_bierman.php