Dr. Michael Flynn – VLOG #4 – for Polyphonic.org – FALL BREAK! Record Your Groups – and New Music!

Dr. Michael P. Flynn is the Director of Bands and Brass Instruction at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming. Teaching duties include conducting the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, teaching Music History and Music Appreciation, and performing as principal trumpet with the Sheridan College Brass Quintet. Dr. Flynn will also be active in the area performing with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra (WY), and the Billings Symphony Orchestra (MT). This is a very exciting year for the Sheridan College Wind Ensemble as the group will be involved with the world premier of composer Steve Danyew's work for winds and film. The work will be performed as part of a consortium including the Eastman Wind Ensemble, The University of Miami Wind Ensemble, The Arkansas State Wind Ensemble, Keene State College Concert Band, and the Bethel College Wind Ensemble among others.

Current solo collaboration includes a recording project with 2011 International Acoustic Artist of the year, South African Roland Albertson. Communicating through digital media clips and videoconference, the two are planning the use of the trumpet in Albertson's newest demo CD and future recording projects.

Prior to joining the Sheridan College Faculty in 2012, Dr. Flynn was the Brass Teacher, Music Theory Instructor, Music History Instructor, Wind Ensemble Conductor, and a Performing Artist at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. During his time in the Middle East, Dr. Flynn held the position of Principal Trumpet in the Palestine National Symphony Orchestra and the Edward Said National Conservatory Orchestra. Performing responsibilities also included a tour of Germany with the Israel Brass Quintet, and performances with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Tel Aviv Opera.

Before joining the ESNCM faculty in 2010, Flynn was a Doctoral Teaching Assistant at the University of Miami (Florida, USA), where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Performance and Conducting in 2010, and his Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance in 2007. Dr. Flynn also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mansfield University (Pennsylvania, USA).

Throughout the five years spent as a graduate student at the University of Miami, Dr. Flynn had the opportunity to study with Craig Morris, Naxos recording artist and former principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony. In addition, Flynn’s teachers include Michael Sachs, principal trumpet with the Cleveland Orchestra, Allan Dean, former member of the New York Brass Quintet and professor at Yale University, Andrew McCandless, Principal Trumpet with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Michael Galloway, former United States Marine Band member, and professor at Mansfield University.

Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Performance experience in Miami includes five years as a substitute with the New World Symphony, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, and positions with the Naples Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, Miami City Ballet, University of Miami Orchestra, and the University of Miami Wind Ensemble.

Significant premier performances include principal trumpet duties for John Corigliano’s Circus Maximus, Christopher Rouse’s Wolf Rounds, and Gary Green’s transcription for wind ensemble of Frank Ticheli’s Symphony No. 1.

Supplementing his classical study, Dr. Flynn performed and recorded with the University of Miami Studio Jazz Band, directed by Chuck Bergeron, former bass player for Buddy Rich, and studied privately with Alex Norris, now with the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and Greg Gisbert, member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra.

Dr. Flynn is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, and Pi Kappa Lambda.