Dr. Peter Boonshaft has been invited to conduct or speak in every state of the U.S. and in multiple other countries around the world. His next stop- Southmoreland high school.

His workshop that consists of performing and speaking with the students from the high school and middle school concert and marching bands will give participants something more than just music to look forward to. 

“The students don’t have the opportunity to see many speakers. We wanted to bring in somebody different,” Mr.  Shawn Harris said.

Dr. Peter Boonshaft has been around the world performing for people like Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Margaret Thatcher. He was the first recipient of the George M. Parks  Award for Leadership in Music Education by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All. Currently Dr. Boonshaft is part of the faculty at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. It is there where he is the Professor of Music, Director of Bands, and  Conductor of the Hofstra University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Dr. Boonshaft is co-author of Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Advanced Concert Band; one of the books that the High School and Middle School bands use.

“It is a book that uses a unique approach to teaching music with contemporary composers and all twelve keys of music,” said music director Mrs. Jamie Gore. “There are all levels of challenges for everyone.”

Mrs. Jamie Gore has been a member of Dr. Boonshaft’s workshops at several All-State Conventions and has attended his lectures.

“I am so thrilled that we were able to book someone of this caliber,” said Mrs. Gore.  Dr. Boonshaft will be at Southmoreland High School March 29 and 30.

 “Dr. Boonshaft is difficult to book all year. We are thankful that he can make an overnight trip,” said Mrs. Gore. “If we didn’t have this opportunity, the only other options were after New Year’s or next year.”     

March 29 Dr. Boonshaft will arrive at the high school around 2:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., students from Southmoreland, Greater Latrobe, Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, Bethel Park, Greensburg Salem, and Belle Vernon will meet in our auditorium to attend Dr. Boonshaft’s Leadership through Music Clinic.

“He is one of the greatest in teaching music; he can do so much with so little,” said Mrs. Gore. “His speeches aren’t all about music. Dr. Boonshaft gets people to realize what confidence and potential they have.”

On March 30, Dr. Boonshaft will arrive at 8 a.m. Students from the middle school will begin working with Dr. Boonshaft. Their workshop will last about an hour and their time will be spent working through Sound Innovations: Concert Ensemble Development- Intermediate. The high school students will be spending half of their day working with Boonshaft, using their Sound Innovations book and playing through their current music selections.
“I hope the students take away something from this experience,” said Mrs. Gore. “I want them to realize with hard work they can do anything.”