Leah McGray is the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo. Dr. McGray conducts the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo Wind Ensemble, and teaches classes in conducting, and theory. Previously holding a similar position at Rhodes College in Memphis TN, she has been the conductor for Memphis Symphony Orchestra's "Leading from Every Chair" program and a guest conductor with the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra. Dr. McGray earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she studied with Dr. Mallory Thompson. She received the Master of Music degree in conducting from University of Toronto, studying with Dr. Gillian MacKay, and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University. A two-time winner of Social Science Humanities and Research Council grants from the Canadian government, her research focuses on new works for winds, with an emphasis on the music of Joel Puckett. Dr. McGray has taught band and orchestra for middle and high school music programs in Canada, and is in demand internationally as a conductor and adjudicator. Professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, Conductors Guild, Canadian Band Association, Canadian Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the Nova Scotia Band Association.
Classes
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MUSC 110: Basic Musicianship
An introduction to reading and writing musical notation, identifying elementary musical patterns by ear, and performing basic rhythms, melodies and chords through singing and piano playing.
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MUSC 165: Instrumental Organizations
The instrumental organizations emphasize the development of musicianship and an expanding knowledge of musical literature. Each organization meets for an average of three hours' rehearsal every week. Opportunities are provided for all groups to perform on and off campus throughout the year. Instrumental groups, offered when demand is sufficient, include Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Band, and Wind Ensemble. Admission is by permission of instructor following audition (audition times for any given ensemble are given in the Master Schedule of classes); special registration procedures are handled by the music department.
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MUSC 165: Instru Org: Symphony Orchestra
The instrumental organizations emphasize the development of musicianship and an expanding knowledge of musical literature. Each organization meets for an average of three hours' rehearsal every week. Opportunities are provided for all groups to perform on and off campus throughout the year. Instrumental groups, offered when demand is sufficient, include Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Band, and Wind Ensemble. Admission is by permission of instructor following audition (audition times for any given ensemble are given in the Master Schedule of classes); special registration procedures are handled by the music department.
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MUSC 165: Instru Org: Wind Ensemble
The instrumental organizations emphasize the development of musicianship and an expanding knowledge of musical literature. Each organization meets for an average of three hours' rehearsal every week. Opportunities are provided for all groups to perform on and off campus throughout the year. Instrumental groups, offered when demand is sufficient, include Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Band, and Wind Ensemble. Admission is by permission of instructor following audition (audition times for any given ensemble are given in the Master Schedule of classes); special registration procedures are handled by the music department.
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MUSC 182: Musicianship I for Musc Thea
This course is designed for musical theatre students to develop written musicianship and practical sight-singing/ear training skills, and a heightened musical awareness of self and others. The course will focus on parameters of rhythm-to develop a strong sense of pulse, rhythmic underpinning, clear subdivisions-and pitch-to develop inner hearing and pitch memory-and to maintain a certain relaxed focus in all written and performed solo and ensemble work.