Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Jagow.
Shelley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am currently the Director of Bands at Wright State University located in Dayton. But my journey to the Midwest begins in the North in Saskatchewan, Canada where I grew up on a farm near a small town (Elrose) in a farming community. One of the greatest values of growing up on a grain and pig farm was learning the importance of hard work. My parents are the poster couple for how to work hard and keep your body and spirit operating like you are 18 years old even when this year they are 92- and 83-years young. The advantage of growing up in a small town is I was involved in almost every community activity from school sports, ice-skating, hockey, 4-H Horse Club, drama club, track & field, piano, band, etc. So, I always felt fortunate to have dipped my toe in many different waters.
After graduating from high school, I earned a Music Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) and began my teaching career in 1989. I had always loved music so that was the easy part, but falling in love with teaching was a bit unexpected. I mean who really “loves” going to school? I did well in school, but most people are not telling you the truth if they say they love high school. I had followed my passion of music without really paying attention to the fact that it would lead me right back to high school in 4 years. But it was a nice surprise to discover how much I appreciated the challenges and successes of teaching!
After a few years, I moved to the United States where I completed a master’s in music education from the University of Missouri (Columbia), and in Fall of 1996, I accepted an Assistant Professor position at Wright State University in Ohio. During this time, I also completed a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the Union Institute and University (Cincinnati).
I have taught an array of courses throughout my years at Wright State, such as Pep Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Saxophone Quartet, Saxophone Studio, Instrumental Band Methods, Woodwind Methods, Instrumental Conducting, Music Appreciation, and African American Music (the latter two being online summer course offerings).
In addition to teaching and performing on saxophone and conducting wind bands, I also like to write. I especially enjoy writing textbooks and methods that will assist music educators in their day-to-day tasks of teaching high standards to their students. I feel blessed to be teaching a subject of such immense power to such terrific students throughout the Miami Valley and the state of Ohio. I remain extremely busy with my teaching, service and scholarship at Wright State University alongside the travel to various places throughout the world to conduct honor bands and present workshops and clinics at professional conferences.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. A career in music education is rigorous! Yes, it is a subject I love, but in order to be successful, it requires hours upon hours of devoted study and practice. The dedication of time and difficult work must persist every day, and it can be challenging to find a work-life balance.
And there were times in my career where I felt some co-workers and administrators made me feel a little “less than”. I don’t know if that was because I am a gay female, but I am certainly in a profession that is still heavily dominated by males, and even recently I have experienced bullying in the workplace. I have seen progress in society being more inclusive and accepting of diversity, but we still have a long journey to traverse. I hope I serve as a role model to some young women who aspire to conduct high school and college wind bands. Sadly, there will always be a sector of people who are afraid of something they don’t understand or someone who doesn’t look like them. We all need to be better at teaching inclusivity and ensuring that we provide a safe space by modeling respect and expecting high standards from everyone.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Professor of Music at Wright State University where I serve as the Director of Bands, conducting the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and teaching courses in instrumental conducting. I also served as Professor of Saxophone for several years prior to assuming the position of Director of Bands. I would say my “specialties” include saxophone pedagogy and performance, wind band conducting, and author of music education publications. I am often called upon to guest conduct honor bands, work with high school music programs, and present clinics and workshops at professional conferences.
I am most proud of teaching the saxophone studio at Wright State and coaching the WSU student Saxophone Quartet, which was a recipient of several scholarships and awards and received the Wright State University Presidential Commendation for Excellence. Our WSU Saxophone Quartet has commissioned and premiered works from composers all across the world, and have performed at school, community, and professional events including the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) State Conference, the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) conferences, the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the United States Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews, Scotland. The Quartet has performed throughout the United States in Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington D.C. International performance tours include Japan, Italy and Scotland.
I am proud to be an artist clinician with Conn-Selmer, Vandoren, Meredith Music, and GIA Music, and many of my music education publications are used throughout the United States and Canada. I feel in my creative element when I am working with school bands and presenting clinics, performances, adjudications, and conducting honor bands.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Haha. Well, I have an app that was developed from one of my books titled Tuning for Wind Instruments. (App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fingering-tuning-charts/id1490174488) (Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=7365579381576509065) I don’t have a very good memory so I carry the app around with me when working with bands so that I can quickly look up alternate fingerings for all the woodwind and brass instruments to make adjustments for just tuning.
Pricing:
- App is $1.99 in App Store and on Google Play
- Book: Tuning for Wind Instruments (available from GIA Music)
- Book: Developing the Complete Band Program (available from GIA Music)
- Book: Intermediate Studies for Developing Artists (available from GIA Music)
- Clinics at Schools: price negotiable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shelleyjagow.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjagow/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelleyJagow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChG9r7ssZNvx_KBQoBwQRVA
- Other: https://www.giamusic.com/store/search?elSearchTerm=jagow&giaSession=sm
