In the words of composer Erik Stokes, “Music is a Social Art.” In this episode we visit with Dr. Peter Haberman, Director of Bands as Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota about the Concordia Band program and their history and tradition of “Band as Family.”
Dr. Peter Haberman’s Background
Peter Haberman serves as the director of bands and associate professor of music at Concordia College, where he conducts The Concordia Band. He also leads the Echo Band, works with student conductors, teaches music education courses and coordinates the comprehensive band program. Prior to his appointment at Concordia, Haberman held similar positions as director of bands at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Bucknell University.
Haberman maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician across North America. His ensembles have performed at conferences and music festivals across the nation and internationally. He also has served as music director for many community ensembles including the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony.
Prior to his college career, Haberman spent several years teaching at the Mercer Island School District in Washington and the Maple Lake School District in Minnesota. He was honored to be the recipient of the Educator of the Year Award and the Principal’s Award for Outstanding Teaching at Mercer Island, and the Maple Lake Employee of the Year Award.
Haberman is an active board member for the Minnesota Band Directors Association. He is also a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. His honorary memberships include Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
A native of Minnesota, he has earned degrees from Concordia College, the University of Montana, and the University of Minnesota, where he completed a Doctor of Music Arts in conducting. Haberman lives in Moorhead, Minnesota, with his wife, Erika Tomten, and their daughter, Claire.
I hope that you enjoy this conversation!
Episode Overview
(00:00)  Opening introductions
(00:50)  Opening Music
(01:13)  Building a Band Family Culture
(03:53)  Music and Non- Music Majors in the process
(07:08)  Leadership in Concert Ensembles
(12:45)  Retreat Weekend, Band Board and Section Leaders
(17:27)  Leading by Example and Relationships
(19:40)  Final thoughts and closing remarks
And that wraps up this episode.
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Other Resources
Show Hosts
Jerry Luckhardt   https://cla.umn.edu/about/directory/profile/luckh001
Bradley Mariska  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-mariska-63ba2855
FB Website (Band in Minnesota)
www.facebook.com/BandinMinnesota
Concordia College Bands https://www.concordiacollege.edu/student-life/music-ensembles/bands/