Brett Penshorn is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting at The University of North Texas in Denton, where he currently conducts the University Band, teaches undergraduate conducting, and serves as a graduate teaching assistant for the Wind Studies program.  He is a conducting student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dr. Andrew Trachsel and Daniel Cook.  In addition, he serves as Assistant Conductor with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra.

Mr. Penshorn received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from North Texas with magna cum laude honors.  He performed extensively with the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Green Brigade Marching Band, Mean Green Basketball Band, and various chamber ensembles.

He went on to earn the Master of Music degree in Band/Wind Ensemble Conducting from The Pennsylvania State University, studying under Dennis Glocke.  During his time at Penn State, he served as conductor for the Concert and Campus Bands, teaching assistant for undergraduate conducting classes, guest conductor for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and an assistant with the Penn State Marching Blue Band.

Studying under certified instructor Dr. Robyn Dixon Costa, Mr. Penshorn explored the Alexander Technique of alleviating muscular tension and its potential applications to gesture in the field of conducting.  This work culminated in the Master’s Thesis Achieving Balance: An Approach to Conducting Utilizing the Alexander Technique.

Mr. Penshorn began his teaching career in the Schertz/Cibolo/Universal City Independent School District.  He was band director at Barbara C. Jordan Intermediate School, and served as an assistant director at Byron P. Steele II High School, where he had the opportunity to conduct the Steele High School Symphonic Band at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

He was Assistant Band Director in the Luling Independent School District, directing the Junior High Varsity Band and the High School Concert Band and assisting the Luling High School Eagle Marching Band.  During his tenure, both ensembles earned First Division Awards from the UIL Concert-Sight Reading Contest, and the marching band made its fourth consecutive appearance at the UIL State Marching Band Contest.

Mr. Penshorn has professional affiliations with the College Band Directors National Association, the Texas Music Educator Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Conductors Guild, Phi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Email: brettpenshorn@my.unt.edu