Michael Haithcock: Guest Conductor at Mid EUROPE 2024
Tuesday, 21.05.2024
The organizers of Mid EUROPE are delighted to welcome conductor Professor Michael Haithcock as guest conductor for the conducting masterclass and the WYWOP and WAWOP projects in Schladming.
Michael Haithcock retired in May 2023 after 22 years as Director of Bands and Professor of Music (Conducting) at the University of Michigan, following a 23-year tenure at Baylor University. As the successor to William D. Revelli and H. Robert Reynolds, Haithcock led the renowned University of Michigan Symphony Band, directed the graduate program for band and wind ensemble conducting, and managed the university's historic band program. In 2012, he was named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, the university's highest teaching award. He is the author of the widely adopted textbook "Elements of Expressive Conducting."
Ensembles under Haithcock’s guidance consistently received acclaim for their artistic excellence, performing at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The University of Michigan Symphony Band's YouTube channel is a valuable resource for bands worldwide and showcases Haithcock's achievements.
Throughout his career, Professor Haithcock has commissioned and premiered numerous new works for bands and has been praised for his innovative approaches to repertoire development and his interpretations. He is in constant demand as a guest conductor with professional ensembles, major universities, all-state, and festival ensembles. Professor Haithcock, a graduate of East Carolina University and Baylor University, has studied at various conducting workshops, including the Herbert Blomstedt Orchestral Conducting Institute. His articles on conducting and wind literature have been published in several renowned journals.
Haithcock is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and the American Bandmasters Association. He remains active in the College Band Directors National Association, where he served as president (2001–2003) and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. In 2011, he was awarded the Distinguished Service to Music Medal by Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.