Master’s Conducting Associate at the University of North Texas

Andrew Trachsel is a Master’s Conducting Associate at the University of North Texas where he is a student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He assists in all aspects of the Wind Studies program, including guest-conducting the internationally-recognized North Texas Wind Symphony, teaching and developing the curriculum for the Fundamentals of Conducting course, assisting with the Green Brigade Marching Band, and co-directing the Basketball Band. Upon graduating in May of 2005, Trachsel will continue to study at the University of North Texas as a Doctoral Conducting Associate. He has participated as a performer and production assistant for the critically-acclaimed Klavier Wind Project, the GIA Publications Composer’s Collection, and Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Resource Recordings. He is published in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Volume V (GIA Publications, 2005) as the author of research guides on the works of Yo Goto, Samuel Hazo, Scott Lindroth, Cindy McTee, and Frank Ticheli. Trachsel graduated Cum Laude from Drake University with a Bachelor of Music Education and taught in central Iowa as Director of Bands at North Polk Junior-Senior High School and Dallas Center-Grimes High School. At Dallas Center-Grimes, he conducted the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Basketball Band, taught lessons, and initiated a commissioning project that resulted in the premiere of Jim Colonna’s Illusions. Trachsel also served as a Teaching Artist with Drake University, directing the Jazz Ensemble II and teaching saxophone, in addition to maintaining a studio with the Drake University Community School of Music. He holds membership in the College Band Directors National Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, International Association of Jazz Education, Music Educators National Conference, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity of America. He is truly grateful for the tremendous impact and inspiration that his teachers have had on his life, including his wife, Kirsten, his parents, Roger and Lana, Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dennis Fisher, Robert Meunier, Tony Garmoe, Bob Long, Paul Brizzi, Jack Oatts, Andrew Classen, and Frederick Burrack.

In his own words:
“The Drake University Music Department continues to have far-reaching influence over my life and career. As a senior at Carroll High School, I wasn’t sure if music was right for me, or, more accurately, if I was right for music. To further compound the issue, I had no idea which school to attend of the handful for which I had been accepted. The answer presented itself in the form of a phone call one evening in March of 1995. Andrew Classen, Director of Jazz Studies, called me to talk about my potential as a musician at Drake. I was floored – a university professor was calling because he was genuinely interested in my future. Another call followed a few weeks later by Clarence Padilla. There was no doubt in my mind that Drake was the right place for me- a sentiment that continues to strengthen to this day. I am fortunate to count my mentors and fellow students from my days at Drake as respected colleagues and close friends. I have found that the sincerity of interest in my development as a musician, teacher, and human being to be the unifying thread of the Drake experience.”