Fleming’s Farewell marks retirement of Sun Devil Marching Band director

March 18, 2002

WHAT: Band Concert featuring Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., (Wednesday) April 24 Download Full Image

WHERE: Gammage Auditorium, 1200 South Forest Avenue, Tempe

TICKETS: Free admission, no tickets required; doors open at 7 p.m.

INFORMATION: 480-965-TUNE (8863)

Fleming's Farwell is Robert "Coach" Fleming's farewell appearance as associate director of bands at ASU. Known throughout the country for his long-time stint as director of the award-winning Sun Devil Marching Band, Fleming retires at the end of the semester.

The concert is April 24 (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. in Gammage Auditorium. Admission is free, no tickets are required. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Three of the bands in the Herberger College of Fine Arts School of Music take the Gammage stage during the concert - Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds.

Robert C. Fleming, professor of music, associate director of bands and director of the Sun Devil Marching Band at ASU. He also conducts Concert Band and the Sun Devil Basketball Pep Bands. Prior to his arrival at ASU in 1974, he was director of bands at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tenn., for seven years. He has degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie-Mellon University and Southern Illinois University (Doctor of Philosophy in Secondary Education). His ASU Sun Devil Marching Band received the 1991 Sudler Trophy distinguishing it as one of the most outstanding marching band programs in the country.

In addition to his duties at ASU, Fleming is an active marching and concert band clinician, adjudicator and a member of numerous professional organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Bandmasters Association from 1990 to 1993. He is past president of the PAC-10 Band Directors Association and past national president of the National Band Honorary Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. He currently continues to serve the fraternity as a member of the Board of Trustees. He is also on the Board of Directors for the John Phillip Sousa Foundation and serves as chairman of the Sudler Shield Committee. In 1989, Fleming was installed as an honorary member of Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity. In 1993, he received the Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award to Outstanding College Band Directors from Kappa Kappa Psi and in September of 1994, he received the Professional Fraternity Association¹s 1994 Faculty Award of Excellence. In 1996, Fleming received the O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Award from the Arizona Music Educators Association and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Also in 1996, he was the conductor for the South Dakota and Colorado All State Bands. In November 2000, Fleming received the Distinguished Service to Music Medal from Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Media Contact:
Mary Brennan
480-965-3587
mary.brennan@asu.edu

Herberger College School of Music appoints new associate director of bands

WHAT: Appointment of new ASU Sun Devil Marching Band directorWayne Bailey, director of the School of Music in the Herberger College of Fine Arts at ASU, announces the appointment of Martin Province as the new associate director of bands.“Martin Province is one of the best-respected band directors in the country,” says Bailey. “His experience with marching bands is extensive and he is an exc...

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Herberger College School of Music appoints new associate director of bands

March 18, 2002

WHAT: Appointment of new ASU Sun Devil Marching Band director

Wayne Bailey, director of the School of Music in the Herberger College of Fine Arts at ASU, announces the appointment of Martin Province as the new associate director of bands. Download Full Image

“Martin Province is one of the best-respected band directors in the country,” says Bailey. “His experience with marching bands is extensive and he is an excellent conductor and musician. We are very happy to be able to add him to our faculty.”

One of Province’s most visible responsibilities is to serve as director of the Sun Devil Marching Band. “I am looking forward to being at ASU and to be associated with one of the top schools of music in the country,” says Province. “I will enjoy carrying on the traditions of the Sun Devil Marching Band and working with a dedicated music faculty, especially those involved in the band program.”

“I am certain that Professor Province will be an excellent leader of the Sun Devil Marching Band,” notes Bailey. “He understands the traditions of ASU and still will be able to bring something new to the presentation of the band.”

Province comes to ASU from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, where he was associate director of bands and director of the Cyclone Marching Band, as well as conductor of the ISU Symphonic Band, supervising the Basketball Pep Bands and teaching music education courses. He holds a degree in music education from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and a master’s degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Colorado (CU). He will complete his doctorate of musical arts degree in instrumental conducting from CU in December. Province has taught in the public schools of North Carolina and served as director of bands at Wake Forest University prior to his ISU appointment.

An active clinician and adjudicator, Province has worked with bands from the United States and Canada. He is a member of the College Band Directors’ National Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association and World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. His bands have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Bands of America Regional and National Championships. Province has led two university bands to bowl game appearances. Province has published a number of articles on the marching percussion and wind sections. He recently published a new edition of Mozart’s Grand Partita by for nine players.

“The person in this position must not only be an expert in the marching band arena, but must also be a master teacher for conducting and music education students, and a superb conductor of concert wind bands,” explains Gary Hill, director of bands at ASU. “Our community is most fortunate that a person of Martin Province’s caliber has decided to join the ASU faculty.”

Robert “Coach” Fleming, who retires this spring as director of the Sun Devil Marching Band, concurs after 28 years at ASU. “Marty has a had a terrific marching band at Iowa State University and I am sure he will carry on the traditions of the Sun Devil Marching Band.”

Province assumes his duties at ASU this summer.

Media Contact:
Mary Brennan
480-965-3587
mary.brennan@asu.edu