Dr. Brenton F. Alston is a product of the rich musical and cultural influences in the Washington DC and College Park, Georgia areas. After matriculating from Woodward Academy in 1994, Dr. Alston began his studies at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina as a Music major with an emphasis in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. During his time at Catawba College he was a frequent conductor of the Community Band and principal coordinator of the clarinet and saxophone ensembles. Following his time at Catawba College, Dr. Alston furthered his studies at Radford University in Radford, Virginia as Graduate Conducting Assistant to Professor Mark Camphouse. During his time at Radford, Dr. Alston was a frequent conductor of the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble and Assistant Conductor for the campus production of Tchaikovsky s “Nutcracker”as well as Principal conductor of the campus musical “The Boyfriend.”While at Radford University, Dr. Alston was awarded the first College Band Directors Gender/Ethnic Conducting Fellowship which allowed him to spend a summer studying conducting with H. Robert Reynolds, Allan McMurray, James Tapia at the University of Michigan, as well as Mallory Thompson, Larry Rachleff and Bud Beyer at Northwestern University. Following his graduate conducting recital Dr. Alston was awarded the Graduate Schools Award for Exemplary Performance and graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Music with a major in Instrumental Conducting. Dr. Alston then moved to Miami to complete the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting with Professor Gary Green. During his time at the University of Miami, Dr. Alston was a frequent conductor of the Chamber Winds, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Co-Director of the Summer Middle School Band Camp. Dr Alston graduated from the University of Miami - Frost School of Music with an Award of Academic Merit and moved back to Radford, Virginia to assume the position of Visiting Director of Bands, in the sabbatical absence of Professor Mark Camphouse. While at Radford University, Dr. Alston was Principal Conductor of the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band and taught private conducting lessons for graduate and undergraduate conductors. Following his short time at Radford University, Dr. Alston returned to Miami to assume the position of Director of Instrumental music at the famed New World School of the Arts. During his time at NWSA, Dr. Alston was Principal Conductor of the Wind Ensemble. While at NWSA, Dr. Alston lead the ensemble to regional consistent superior ratings and became acquainted with the Greater Miami Symphony where he was one of the Principal Conductors of their Summer Camp and has returned to the group several times for rehearsals and clinics. Dr. Alston returned to the University of Miami Frost School of Music to pursue an Advanced Artist Diploma in Instrumental Conducting, with Professor Gary Green. While pursing the Advanced Artist Diploma, Dr. Alston was Assistant Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Woodwind Chamber Ensemble and taught undergraduate basic conducting and private graduate conducting lessons. Currently, Dr. Alston is Assistant Professor of Conducting and Wind Studies at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. At FIU, Dr. Alston is Principal Conductor of the FIU Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds, teaches undergraduate basic conducting, undergraduate instrumental conducting, private graduate conducting lessons, history of wind literature and woodwind techniques. Dr. Alston maintains an active guest conducting, adjudication and presentation schedule. Noted composers David Maslanka, Mark Camphouse, James Stephenson, James Syler, Steven Danyew, Thomas Sleeper, Scott Stinson and Orlando Garcia have given high praise of Dr. Alston s performances of their works. Dr. Alston retains memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, Florida Band Masters Association, Florida Music Education Association, NAFME, the Conductors Guild and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
research interests
Wind, Brass, and Percussion Studies, Instrumental Conducting
