Victoria Dennis
Victoria Dennis
Cassandra Bechard, D.M.A.
Director of Bands Assistant Professor of Music
D.M.A. University of Minnesota
M.M. Bowling Green State University
B.Mus., B.M.E. Central Michigan University
CONTACT INFORMATION
651-631-5189
Dr. Cassandra Bechard serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at University of Northwestern – St. Paul and artistic director and conductor of Seward Concert Band in Minneapolis. She received a doctor of musical arts in wind band conducting from University of Minnesota, holds a master’s degree in bassoon performance from Bowling Green State University, and dual bachelor’s degrees in music education and music performance from Central Michigan University. During her doctoral studies she conducted the Maroon Campus Band for three years, a non-auditioned concert band comprised of 80 students, and also at U of M guest conducted Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Pride of Minnesota.
Her previous appointments include a similar position at University of Dubuque and assistant band director at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she concurrently served as adjunct bassoon professor at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Bechard spent summers during her undergraduate and master’s degrees working at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lakes, Michigan.
Most recently, Bechard presented at Idaho Bandmasters Convention and on a panel at Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. She has also given various presentations in South Dakota and Oklahoma. As a school clinician, Bechard actively visits middle and high school band programs and has conducted the South Dakota All-State Middle School Band.
Cassie and her musically talented husband Dave have two children, Jackson and Annabelle, two small rescue dogs (weighing an incredible 19 lbs combined), and several fish.
Sonja Grimes, M.M.
Adjunct Instructor: Collaborative Piano
M.M. from Temple University
B.Mus. from Wheaton College
CONTACT INFORMATION
651-631-5218
For over 30 years, collaborative pianist Sonja Grimes has performed in recitals, master classes and competitions. In Philadelphia, she served as collaborative pianist for Villanova University, the Baldwin School, and Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. She currently serves on the faculty at University of Northwestern-St. Paul and performs throughout the Twin Cities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Daniel Paul Horn. As a student of Lambert Orkis and Charles Abramovic, she earned her master’s degree in Accompanying, Chamber Music, and Piano Pedagogy from Temple University. Sonja maintains a private piano teaching studio, is a Master Certified Teacher with MMTA, and leads the Musikgarten program at Salem Covenant Church and Northwestern’s Academy of Music.
Philip Norris
Academy of Music Instructor: Trumpet, Brass Methods
D.M.A. University of Minnesota
M.M. Northwestern University
B.M.E. Grace College
CONTACT INFORMATION
Totino Fine Arts Center, F2316
3003 Snelling Ave North
St. Paul, MN 55113
651-631-5187
Phil Norris, a native of Pennsylvania, has served as Professor of Music at University of Northwestern—St. Paul since 1993, where he has taught courses in instrumental music education, music theory, trumpet, music technology, and music history. In 2004 he received the UNW Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Norris’ music study has included Grace College (BME) Winona Lake, Indiana, Northwestern University (MM-trumpet), and University of Minnesota (DMA-trumpet). He has studied under Jerry Franks, Luther Didrickson, Vincent Cichowicz, David Baldwin and Gary Bordner (trumpet), John Paynter (band/conducting), and Arnold Jacobs (wind respiration and brass).
Norris has published over 25 band and brass pieces with Volkwein, Columbia Pictures, and David E. Smith publishers. John Paynter wrote of his music, “…absolutely superb! Such great imagination, musicianship, practicality, and general effectiveness.” Robert Page of the Cleveland Symphony Chorus said of Norris’ Psalm 90, “Wonderful festival piece.”
Crown Music Press Chicago has published his Top 50 Orchestral Audition Excerpts for Trumpet, now in its third printing and endorsed by Adolph Herseth, and his Uncommon Ceremonial Works for Trumpet, a collection of ten original works for trumpet and organ/keyboard.
In 2007 he completed an orchestration of Eric Ewazen’s Sonata for Trumpet which is available on rental from Southern Music Co. as Concerto for Trumpet. Norris has also published several brass works with Art of Sound Music and published with Triplo Press two volumes of companions to Robert Getchell’s two books of Practical Studies. In addition to music publications, he served as the Brass Space editor-writer for David E. Smith Publications Newsletter for over ten years and has published articles in the Instrumentalist magazine and the International Trumpet Guild Journal (ITG).
In 2015 Dr. Norris wrote and published a faith-based music appreciation textbook, Western Music SDG: A Concise Overview, with Kendall Hunt Publishing Company (Dubuque, IA).
Norris is an active performer in the Twin Cities including appearances with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He frequently speaks and has published articles on wind instrument pedagogy for state, national, and international conferences, including the The Midwest Clinic: International Band and Orchestra Conference and the ITG.
Phil and his wife, Julie, have three children and three grandchildren.
Faculty member since 1993; also teaches trumpet for UNW Academy of Music
Richard Lange, D.M.A.
Adjunct Professor of Music: Piano
D.M.A. from University of Minnesota
MFA from University of Minnesota
B.Mus. from College of Notre Dame
CONTACT INFORMATION
Totino Fine Arts Center, F2332
3003 Snelling Ave North
St. Paul, MN 55113
651-631-5242
Dr. Richard Lange has served on the piano faculty at UNW since 1989 and is an active performer, teacher, and adjudicator. He also coordinates an annual Piano Institute and Piano Festival at UNW.
Lange received a Bachelor of Music degree from the College of Notre Dame (Belmont, California), and a Master of Fine Arts degree and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano from the University of Minnesota.
Lange has performed frequently as a soloist and chamber ensemble artist. Performances include Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1, Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
He has appeared with Master’s Chamber Players on KTIS radio in St. Paul, Live from Landmark radio series in St. Paul, and KCSM-TV in San Mateo, California.
He is also an active member of the Minnesota Music Teacher’s Association (MMTA).
Rachel Weyandt
Student Instructor