"Sounding Off" Q&A with Jared Judge
Master of Music candidate in Orchestral Conducting (May 2017)
Jared Judge is headed to Washington D.C. on March 21 to compete in the United States Air Force band officer/conductor final audition round.
How did you learn of the competition, what was the application process?
I learned about the competition through the Air Force Band’s website, and by speaking with representatives of the Air Force Band at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago last December. I submitted a resume, video portfolio including footage of me conducting the UWM Wind Ensemble, college transcripts, and several letters of recommendation from previous teachers and supervisors. I was then contacted by Lieutenant Wise of the Air Force Band of Mid-America for a phone interview over winter break. We discussed many aspects of the job including the music and administrative sides, as well as possible deployment abroad. After learning about my experiences directing the Princeton Opera Alliance (Princeton, NJ), Lt. Wise was confident my administrative skills would be a good fit for the Air Force.
When were you notified of your acceptance to compete?
Since the phone interview, I was informed that I was selected as one of the top 10 candidates, and was asked to meet with an Air Force recruiter down in Oak Creek, WI. This brief meeting assessed my ability to serve as a member of the Air Force. After the results of this screening occurred, I was informed that I had been selected to be among 6 candidates to audition in front of the US Air Force Band in Washington DC. I was ecstatic and when I received the news--to conduct the Air Force Band in DC is truly a great honor! As is the prospect of earning a full time conducting job.
What have you been doing the past few weeks to prepare?
For this upcoming audition I have been preparing to conduct four musical selections: "Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral" by Richard Wagner, "Profanation" from Leonard Bernstein’s Jeremiah Symphony, "The Toreador Song" from Bizet’s Carmen, and "Fascinating Rhythm" from George Gershwin’s Nice Work if You Can Get It. Additionally, I have been honing my music theory and aural skills with Assistant Dean and Music Lecturer, Dr. Jim Burmeister, in preparation for a written examination that is part of the audition process. A lot of time has also been spent studying the audition scores and practicing conducting. Music Professor and Director of Bands, Dr. John Climer, graciously allowed me time to conduct the UWM Wind Ensemble as part of my preparations. Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Mark Norman, and Director of Orchestral Activity, Dr. Jun Kim, have also provided mentorship and coaching.
What's next?
If the audition goes well, then I will be a proud soldier in the USAF. Otherwise, I will continue my studies and pursue further degrees to work towards becoming a conductor of both collegiate and professional musical ensembles.
Ben Stanley
February 5, 2016
Biz Times Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has joined the ranks of the nation’s most active research universities.
UWM was re-classified as a Tier 1 Research University in theCarnegie Foundation’s most recent Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which was published Feb. 1.
The foundation releases classifications once every five years.
There are 115 Tier 1 research institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Yale, Duke and Johns Hopkins.
Read more: Biz Times
1/6/16
The American Prize
Five American musicians have been chosen as Honored Artists of The American Prize, 2015, by the national nonprofit competitions in the performing arts. Honored Artists are individuals who have proven themselves to be musicians of “sustained excellence" over a number of seasons as contestants in the competitions.
Read more: The American Prize
Makenzie Boettcher
11/30/15
88Nine Radio Milwaukee
After 39 years, Beverly Belfer has taught almost 20,000 students how to play guitar... and she's still going strong! And thanks to the nonprofit organization Guitars for Vets, Beverly is now using her perfected teaching skills as a way to give back.
Guitars for Vets is a nonprofit started in Milwaukee that works music therapy for veterans with PTSD. Providing free guitars and lessons to veterans, after hearing about the program, Beverly knew she had to get involved.
Read more: Radio Milwaukee
Kathy Quirk
12/9/15
UWM Report
Light, sound, illusion and artistic vision will illuminate four floors of an industrial artist space owned by Peck School of the Arts on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
The public is encouraged to explore the exhibits at Arts+Tech Night from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kenilworth Square East, 1925 E. Kenilworth Place.
Arts+Tech Night is a technology-centered interdisciplinary art showcase featuring projects by 30 juniors and seniors working toward a bachelor’s degree in the Interdisciplinary Arts & Technology program, as well as students enrolled in arts courses that address technology in other ways.
Read more: UWM Report
The American Prize
11/23/15
The American Prize is pleased to announce 2015 FINALIST conductors in the opera/music theater division. Congratulations!
To know the exact date when winners will be announced, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter #AmericanPrize, where that information will be published first.
Read more at The American Prize
Elaine Schmidt
November 16, 2015
Tap Milwaukee
Music speaks when words fail.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra played to a packed Basilica of St. Josaphat on Friday evening, dedicating a heart-wrenching performance of Henryk Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 ("Symphony of Sorrowful Songs") to victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, which had occurred hours earlier.
Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong led a deeply moving performance of the piece, allowing its meditatively repetitious lines to build slowly. He used gradual dynamic changes to lead the audience to what proved to be deeply poignant harmonic shifts within the piece.
Kathryn Henry, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee voice student whose career was launched with her selection in March as a national finalist in Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, joined Lecce-Chong and the orchestra with a riveting performance that dispelled any notions of studenthood.
Read more: Tap Milwaukee