Symphonic Band

• Canzona per Sonare No. 2 by Giovanni Gabrieli

• Albanian Dance by Shelley Hanson

  • Betsy McCann, conductor

• The Road Not Taken by Dean Sorenson

  • John DeHaan, vocalist

• Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst

  • "March" 

  • "Song Without Words"

  • "Song of the Blacksmith"

  • "Fantasia on the 'Dargason'"

    • Emily Threinen, conductor

• Depth by Alex Shapiro

• Minnesota March by John Philip Sousa

  • Emmanuel Rodriguez, conductor

• Loch Lomond by Frank Ticheli

• Folk Dances by Dmitri Shostakovich/H. Robert Reynolds

  This evening's speakers are: Kristin Chase, Megan Ivers Palmer, Carrie Backman, Matthew Dockendorf, Jim Baxter, and Joshua Davey. 
   

Biography 

Jerry Luckhardt, Associate Director of Bands, has dedicated nearly three decades to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he currently directs the Symphonic Band and teaches undergraduate conducting. Since joining the School of Music in 1997, he has impacted the lives of thousands of students and families, creating meaningful connections with performers, audiences, alumni, and educators. In addition to leading numerous commissioning projects, Luckhardt has been a pillar of leadership for the School, stepping up to serve as Director of Graduate Studies, Acting Director of Bands, and Acting Director of the School of Music. Prior to making Minnesota his home, he also held positions at Baylor University, the University of Texas-Austin, and the University of Michigan. Luckhardt's impact extends far beyond the podium, most notably in his dedication to the student experience. When he took on the role as the 17th director of the "Pride of Minnesota," the 160-member ensemble was rehearsing in the basement of Northrop Auditorium. Under his baton, the band doubled in size and needed a larger space. After an 18-hour bus ride to the 2002 Music City Bowl with Athletic Director Joel Maturi, the duo envisioned the dream of an on-campus marching band facility. Thanks to Luckhardt's tenacity, students now enjoy one of the finest athletic band rehearsal facilities in the country at Huntington Bank Stadium. Beyond the campus, Luckhardt is a highly regarded figure within the larger music community. An internationally recognized conductor and clinician, he has collaborated with ensembles throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He is currently the Music Director of the Medalist Concert Band in Bloomington, MN, and he served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Encore Wind Ensemble for 23 years. He is a strong advocate for music education, with memberships in groups such as the College Band Directors National Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and Minnesota Band Directors Association. As a conductor and mentor, Professor Luckhardt's generosity shapes his legacy, reflecting his unwavering commitment to his students and his deep belief in the transformative power of music. 

This Afternoon's Repertoire 

We gather today to celebrate a remarkable career. A concert honoring Professor Luckhardt would not be complete without a program that reflects his signature approach to the podium: providing "something for everyone." Throughout his career, he has balanced honoring deep-rooted traditions with bringing a vibrant, community-focused energy to the stage. The pieces selected for this afternoon elicit special memories of his time at UMN-TC, featuring works by composers with whom he has closely collaborated, including Shelley Hanson, Dean Sorenson, Frank Ticheli, and Alex Shapiro, alongside iconic band repertoire like Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F. Whether he is preserving the classic marches that define the University's history or turning a traditional concert into a dynamic experience, his programming has always prioritized the joy of the student musicians and the audience alike. 

Community Connections 

While his resume is filled with accolades, Professor Luckhardt's true legacy lies in the conditions he set for his students to thrive. He is an educator known for quietly removing barriers so his students can succeed-whether that means finding an instrument for someone who simply wanted to join the band or taking the time to get to know every musician in the room. He didn't just teach music; he used music to build community. Thank you, Professor Luckhardt, for setting the conditions for all of us to be great. 

Dr. Emily Threinen is Director of Bands and Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She conducts the University Wind Ensemble, guides the graduate wind band conducting program, and provides administrative leadership to the Band Program. Threinen consistently works with composers, arrangers, and performing artists of varied disciplines. She is active across the nation and abroad (recently in Costa Rica, South Korea, and Singapore) as a guest conductor, clinician, and conference presenter. An advocate for music education, Threinen is a Yamaha Master educator and is active in ABA, WASBE, CBDNA, NBA, and NAfME. 

Dr. Betsy McCann is Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she leads the Marching Band, conducts the University Band, instructs undergraduate conducting, and manages the comprehensive Athletic Bands program. She is the first woman to head a Big Ten Marching Band and Athletic Bands program. Before her current appointment, she served as assistant director of the University of Minnesota Marching Band and taught in public schools in Minnesota and Illinois. She earned degrees from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Northwestern University and is an active guest conductor and clinician. 

Dr. Emmanuel Rodriguez serves as Assistant Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he works with the Marching Band, the "Gopher Groove" Pep Band, and the University Band. f-le previously served on the music faculties at Indiana State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Rodriguez earned degrees from Louisiana State University, the University of Central Florida, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. f-le is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician and maintains memberships in the CBDNA, NAfME, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. 

Internationally acclaimed heroic tenor John David De Haan is an Associate Professor of Voice and on the opera faculty at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. f-lis students have gained recognition through prestigious young artist training programs and have excelled at various levels of the Met Opera National Council Auditions. f-le has experience with the Glimmerglass Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Teatro Real Opera Orchestra in Madrid, L'Opéra de Montréal, and the Latvian National Symphony. f-le has also appeared with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Memphis, Indianapolis Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. 

Dean Sorenson is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, as well as a prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger, trombonist, educator, and clinician. Sorenson's latest project is Colors of the Soul, a CD of original music for sextet. F-Lis's most recent book is First Place for Jazz, a new and innovative method for beginning jazz players. f-le is frequently featured at festivals and conventions around the country and abroad, and maintains a full schedule of concert and recording dates as a Yamaha performing artist. 􀀅or more information, please visit www.deansorensonmusic.com. 

Jerry Luckhardt Retirement Committee 

A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated individuals who spent countless hours organizing today's celebration. Your hard work behind the scenes has made this milestone event truly special: 
Emily Threinen, Chair
Kristin Chase, Emcee 
Emily Borra, Staff Support 
Skeeter Burroughs 
Delonna Darsow 
Sue Freese 
Mike Gaffron 
Al Hansen 
Sue Hinton 
Kirk Juergens 
Brooke Linzmeier 
Betsy McCann 
Kirsten Rasmussen-Kells 
Emmanuel Rodriguez 
Jan Scholl 
Dean Sorenson 
Elien Sorenson 
Anthony Teehan 

Friends of the University Bands 

This performance and celebration are made possible by the generosity of donors to the Friends of the University Bands Fund, supporting guest artist residencies, community engagement, and special events for UMN-TC concert bands.

We gratefully acknowledge the 􀀊riends whose recent contributions were made in special honor of Professor Jerry Luckhardt's retirement: 
Carrie Backman 
Chad Bieniek 
Beth Brandt 
David Clarke 
Kristin Chase 
Brent Comeau 
Dawn Dibley 
Matthew Dockendorf 
Kenneth Green 
John Herman 
Cleo lssendorf Grayden 
Randy Lee 
Shelagh Macleod 
Paul Nyquist 
Deb Peters 
Karyl Rice 
Krist Tjornehoj 
Sue Zietlow 

Visit z.umn.edu/giveumnbands to support future Bands events and help set the conditions for the next generation of musicians in honor of Professor Luckhardt. 

Special Thanks 

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Bands extends our deepest gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who helped make today's celebration possible, as well as those who provide ongoing support to our programs throughout the year.