F. Mack Wood C.V.
EDUCATION
University of Miami, Frost School of Music
Doctorate of Music and Arts, Wind Conducting, May 2021 (A.B.D. May 2020)
Louisiana State University, College of Music and Dramatic Arts
Master of Music, Conducting (May 2018)
The University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music
Bachelor of Music Studies, Education (2005)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Illinois State University
Director - Big Red Marching Machine
· Oversee all aspects of the ISU Marching Band program
· Increased enrollment from 220 due to COVID-19 to over 415 for Fall 2025 season
· Communicated directly with and developed good professional relationships with the Athletics Staff
o Developed both iterations of the Bird Walk before gamedays to help create more spirit on gamedays
· Work closely with the Alumni Band Executive Committee in efforts to rebuild the Alumni Band presence at ISU
o Enrollment in Alumni Band was 37 in 2021 and has grown to 100 members
· Develop and manage the student leadership team for the marching band
· Serve as the faculty sponsor for Tau Beta Sigma
· Arrange music for the Big Red Marching Machine
· Design Drill for the Big Red Marching Machine
· Transitioned the students from paper drill to Ultimate Drill Book
· Transitioned the students from paper music and flip folders to Beam and the E-Flip
· Work closely with all the staff of the Big Red Marching Machine to ensure all auxiliary teams are performing well
· Manage the inventory for the Big Red Marching Machine
· Actively recruit at on-campus admissions events and at off-campus festivals and competitions
· Manage the social media presence for the Big Red Marching Machine
o Created section specific Instagram pages and started a Tik Tok
· Manage leadership auditions at the end of each marching season
Conductor – Symphonic Winds
· Program music from composers with diverse backgrounds for each concert cycle
· Manage part assignments for the ensemble
· Communicate with applied faculty for input on part assignments
· Provide the band Graduate Assistants with some rehearsal and conducting guidance
· Communicate closely with the Graduate Assistants to ensure programs are completed in a timely manner
Conductor – University Band (Fall 2020 - Spring 2025)
· Manage all aspects of the 100+ concert band
o University band enrollment was 44, due to COVID-19, when I arrived, enrollment is consistently over 90, with Spring 2023 having 113 members
· Program for the ensemble using input from the graduate assistants
· Recruit students from the athletic bands to help keep them playing in the spring semester
· Oversee/mentor undergraduate conductors
o Implemented this program in Fall 2023
Instructor – MUS 167: Instrumental Conducting, First Semester
· Provide instruction and feedback for each student enrolled in the course
· Worked closely with Tim Fredstrom to revamp the curriculum for the course so every section of MUS 167 provides the same instruction and opportunities for each student
· Manage all the assignments and grading for the course
Instructor – MUS 161: Marching Band Techniques
· Provide instruction and feedback for each student enrolled in the course
· Provide instruction on how to develop a marching band handbook, leadership handbook, arrange music for a marching band, design drill for a marching band
· Meet with students individually outside of class for additional assistance with music arranging and drill designing
University of Miami - Frost School of Music
Graduate Conducting Assistantship
August 2018 - May 2021
Assist with all administrative aspects of the Frost Wind Ensemble, Frost Symphonic Winds, and the Frost Band of the Hour
Co-coordinate and co-direct the University Band
Rehearse and perform with all of the concert ensembles in the wind division of the Frost School of Music
Recruiting initiative with Miami-area high schools
Arrange pep band music for the Frost Band of the Hour
Co-teach undergraduate conducting and arranging
Teach graduate private conducting lessons
Co-coordinate the Honor Band Weekend camp for high school students
Louisiana State University, College of Music and Dramatic Arts
Graduate Conducting Assistantship
August 2016 - May 2018
Assist with rehearsals of The Golden Band from Tigerland
Facilitate game day logistics and operations for Tigerband
Arrange music for Tigerband
Drill Designer for Tigerband
Assist with all planning and logistics involved with travel for Tigerband
Assist with rehearsals for the Bengal Brass Athletic Band
Facilitate game day logistics and operations for Bengal Brass
Assist with conducting classes
Teach private conducting lessons for students in conducting classes
Rehearse and perform with all concert ensembles in the wind division of the School of Music (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Chamber Winds)
Assistant Conductor for LSU Chamber Winds
Assist with administration of all ensembles
Assist with re-construction of Tiger Band Hall
Manage all aspects of the music library
Recruit for the Band Department and for yearly Camps and Workshops
Represent the Band Department at various conferences (LMEA, Midwest, TMEA)
Coordinate and organize the Stately Oaks High School Band Camp in the spring
Assist with Junior Oaks Middle School Band Camp
Assist with logistics of Prefest Band Festival
Assist with logistics of Band Conductors Art
Record and distribute videos for participants in Band Conductors Art
North Forney High School - Forney, TX
Director of Bands
June 2009 - June 2016
Opened North Forney High School in 2009 and created the band program from the school’s inception
Oversaw all aspects of the High School and Middle School band program
Designed and implemented curriculum for the High School and Middle School feeder program
Established a team-teaching staff and curriculum
Developed a vertically aligned, objective-mastery based curriculum
Grew the high school program from 64 in 2009 to 230 in 2016 (over 17% of the HS population in band)
Developed a recruiting program that grew the middle school feeder program from 72 over 7th and 8th grades to over 200 students
Managed all budgetary elements of the band program
Developed budget proposals for each year’s projected needs
Developed 5-year projection plan for program growth in 2011-2012
Conducted the Wind Ensemble, Freshman Bands, Chamber Winds, and Jazz Ensemble at North Forney
Instructed the Pride of Falcon Nation Marching Band
Developed a student leadership team with strong emphasis on teaching and service
Arranged music and designed drill for the marching band
Oversaw and managed all design elements of the marching band
Implemented the Color Guard and Winter Guard programs
Designed the marching band uniform
Instructed beginner trombone and trumpet classes at feeder campus (Brown Middle School)
Assisted with middle school ensembles
Assisted with all aspects of the middle school feeder program
Developed and collaborated with the Pride of Falcon Nation Booster Program
Developed private lesson program with over 80% participation
Raised money to fund students who could not afford lessons (approx. $22,000 per year)
Developed the Social Media presence for the program
Nominated for UIL State Sponsor of the Year in 2013
Nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2011-2016
Named Outstanding Teacher for January 2016 and awarded at Forney Rotary Club Meeting
Assisted numerous students in receiving scholarships to continue music at the collegiate level
Forney High School - Forney, TX
Assistant Director of Bands
June 2006 - June 2009
Involved in education of 140 – 180-member band program at the high school
Instructed various levels of student musicians, including beginners and intermediate middle school musicians
Involved in design and implementation of curriculum for High School and Middle School band program
Conducted the Symphonic and Concert Bands
Assisted with all aspects of the marching band
Wrote the drill for the 2006 “Tower of Power” marching show
Managed and organized all private lesson studios
Managed private lesson scholarship budget
Managed campus inventory
Developed growth projections for inventory needs
Managed all organizational needs of the program
Irving Nimitz High School - Irving, TX
Assistant Director
July 2005 - June 2006
Involved in education of 200-member band program at the high school
Instructed various levels of student musicians, including beginners, intermediate and advanced junior high musicians, and all levels of high school musicians
Conducted the Freshman Band at Nimitz High School
Conducted the Concert Band at De Zevala Junior High
MARCHING BAND SHOW DESIGNER
2006 - Present
2018-2019 - Drill designer for Walker High School in Walker, LA
2018-2019 - Drill designer for Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg, IA
2018-2019 - Drill designer for two shows for San Jose State University in San Jose, CA
2017 - Drill designer for one show for Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA
2016 - Drill designer for one movement for Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA
2009 - 2015 - Various music and drill arrangements for North Forney HS in Forney, TX
2006 - Drill writer for Forney High School in Forney, TX
COMMISSION INVOLVEMENT
Consortium Lead for “Toward the Hour Arises First Light” by Andrew Boss Premiered March 12, 2018 for Chamber Wind Ensemble and Solo Cello.
Consortium Member for “Downshifting” by Dan Welcher
Consortium Member for “Concerto for Tuba and Wind Ensemble” by Donald Grantham
CLINICIAN/ADJUDICATOR EXPERIENCE
2019 - Clinician and Adjudicator for Dillard High School Band Festival – Fort Lauderdale, FL
2017 - Clinician for Woodlawn High School Band – Baton Rouge, LA
2017 - Adjudicator for General Effect at Dutchtown Marching Invitational – Geismar, LA
2017 - Summer Marching Clinician at Walker High School – Walker, LA
2017 - Adjudicated high school bands at Louisiana State University Prefest – Baton Rouge, LA
2017 - Brass clinician for Dutchtown High School Play-A-Thon – Geismar, LA
2016-2017 - Adjudicated District Honor Band Auditions – Prairieville, LA
2016-2017 - Summer Marching Band Clinician at Dutchtown High School – Geismar, LA
2013-2016 - Adjudicated UIL Region 25 Solo and Ensemble – Plano, TX
2013-2016 - Adjudicated middle school Solo and Ensemble in Prosper ISD – Prosper, TX
2011 - Adjudicated stage performance at Forney ISD MS Pre-UIL – Forney, TX
2010 - Clinician for Warren Middle School Symphonic Band – Forney, TX
2010 - Clinician for Sunnyvale High School Symphonic Band – Sunnyvale, TX
2010-2016 - Taught on staff for Longhorn Music Camp – The University of Texas at Austin
2009-2016 - Adjudicated Drum Major Auditions for Terrell High School – Terrell, TX
2006-2007 - Highland Park High School Drum Major Clinician – Highland Park, TX
2005-2016 - Adjudicated All-Region High School Band Auditions (Phase 1 and 2) – DFW Region 3
2005-2016 - Adjudicated All-Region Middle School Band Auditions (Phase 1 and 2) – DFW Region 3
2005-2011 - Adjudicated Area Band Auditions - primarily brass – TMEA Area C
2012-2016 - Hosted Middle School and High School All Region Clinic and Concert
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2020 - Louisiana State University Conducting Workshop (tentative)
2017 - Columbus State University Conducting Workshop
2017 - The University of Michigan Band Conducting and Pedagogy Workshop
2017 - The University of Illinois Conducting Symposium
2016-2019 - Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
2016 - College Band Directors National Association National Convention
2014 - The Art of Marching Band Workshop at Texas A&M Commerce paired with System Blue
2012 - The University of Texas at Austin Art of Conducting Workshop
2011, 2012, 2015 - Texas A&M University Conducting Workshop
2005-2013 - Texas Band Masters Association Convention
2005-2016 - All Irving ISD and Forney ISD required development and training
2004-2017 - Texas Music Educators Association Convention
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2019 - Florida Music Educators Association
2004-2018 - Texas Music Educators Association
2011-2017 - Texas Music Adjudicators Association
2017-present - College Band Directors Nation Association
2001-present - Kappa Kappa Psi
