About the Conductor - Daniel Southerland

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From the Podium

Daniel Southerland

Urbana Pops Patrons –

Well, here we are. It’s hard to imagine that this ambitious and very exciting concept has come to life so quickly. It seems like just a few days ago Stephen Larson and I were brainstorming (almost half-jokingly) about putting together a pops orchestra, when in fact it has been almost a year from that first conversation to our first concert.

After several small defeats followed by slightly larger victories, we are now seeing that vision taking shape and are able to see the idea materialize. As with many projects such as this one, it is often those defeats that create bonds, perhaps because the celebrations that follow the victories are shared hurrahs. Whatever, these steps have made this project even more coveted by everyone involved in the making of this orchestra. We are all heavily invested in the life and longevity of the Urbana Pops Orchestra.

It is for that reason that I am more than proud to announce the inaugural season of the Urbana Pops Orchestra. Having seen firsthand the hard work that my colleagues have put into this organization, I have learned to appreciate on a different level the complexity and hard work required for such a huge endeavor. Knowing this has made the idea of leading such a talented group of musicians all the more exciting.

I am excited to share this summer of amazing music-making with you. Enjoy the beginning of what I am sure will be a beautiful summer and we’ll see you at Lincoln Square on the 12th!

Daniel F. Southerland

Principal Conductor

About the Conductor

Daniel’s musical training started in the 5th grade when he joined the school band as a saxophone player. Though he hated band (and practicing) at first, he quickly fell in love with the idea of creating and playing real music. In 2006 he was accepted to the Millikin School of Music and studied music education.

While at Millikin, Daniel’s real musical achievements began. In 2008, he was commissioned by the Millikin High School Honor band to write a piece that would highlight the group’s musicality and sound. This piece – Fanfare Agnitio – was premiered by the Honor Band under the direction of the composer himself. It was Southerland’s conducting debut and first major commission.

Daniel received several other commissions at Millikin including a piece for the biology department titled Salticidae (the musical depiction of a spider). In 2009, Daniel was commissioned by the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia to write a piece titled “Air for Four Musicians” – A piece that was in honor of a revered staff member at Millikin. Daniel’s composition teachers include John Stafford II and Robert Sheldon.

In addition to his composition credits at Millikin, Daniel is certainly no stranger to the podium or to education. He has taught musicians in several schools in the Decatur Public School District. In 2008, Daniel was hired as an assistant conductor for the Decatur Youth Symphony. In 2009, the Millikin University Concert Band awarded him an assistantship as conductor as well. In the summer of 2008, Daniel was hired as the orchestra conductor for the Urbana Summer Youth Theatre. His conducting teachers have included Dr. Neal Smith, Dr. Sharon Huff, Dr. Bradley Holmes, and Jim Culbertson.

Daniel is also an active martial artist, teaching the Japanese art of Aikido in the Central Illinois area.

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