About Me - Website of Michael Gabriel

Thank you for visiting my website!

My name is Michael Gabriel; I am a conductor, arranger, and teacher. I am originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, but currently reside in Lansing, Michigan.

I am a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Master’s Degree student in Wind Conducting, and a Graduate Certificate candidate in Music Theory at Michigan State University. At MSU I assist in all aspects of the Band Department, including assisting and leading ensembles, teaching undergraduate conducting, and assisting with athletic bands.

During my time in East Lansing, I have written drill for the Spartan Marching Band, and my arrangements have been played by the MSU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Winds.

My conducting teacher at MSU is Kevin Sedatole, I have studied orchestration and composition with David Biedenbender and Zhou Tian.

Teaching Background:

In addition to my MSU responsibilities, I am an active clinician and adjudicator for Concert and Marching ensembles, and for Solo & Ensemble festivals.

I taught in Broward County Schools for 5 years, most recently at Charles W. Flanagan High School, where I was awarded the Broward County Music Teacher Award by the Barry Manilow Foundation. The Flanagan HS ensembles consistently received Superior ratings, and were lauded for innovative programs and collaborations. Under my leadership, we expanded the curriculum from 2 Concert Band classes to 4, 1 Jazz Band to 2, and grew the faculty to employ 2 Associate Directors. The Marching Band was a two-time consecutive State Championship Finalist, and the Wind Orchestra was invited to the Music for All-Orlando Invitational in 2023 as a featured ensemble. At Flanagan, I was honored to advocate for the wind medium and lead premieres of several new works for wind ensembles. We also hosted residencies on of guest composers including Wayne Oquin, Andrew Boss, Aaron Perrine, Jennifer Jolley, and Roger Zare.

Prior to Flanagan, I was the Director of Bands at Hollywood Hills High School in Hollywood FL from 2018-2019, where the Wind Ensemble received “Straight Superior” ratings for the first time in 5 years, and the Jazz Band for the first time in 10 years. Enrollment in music at that school climbed quickly in his time there from 75 to about 200.

Research:

My current research focuses around my recent transcription of Chick Corea’s “The Continents” for Chamber Winds and Jazz Combo. I hope to share more of my findings about the crossover possibilities between Wind Ensemble and Jazz mediums very soon.

I was fortunate in my Undergraduate training to study privately with Clifford Madsen to produce a thesis document studying the rehearsal frames and strategies of Dr. James Croft. This project was awarded a grant by the National Band Association.

Undergraduate Training:

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with Honors from the Florida State University, where I was recognized as a Seminole Torchbearer, Garnet and Gold Scholar, and recipient of the College of Music Academic Leadership Award. I also sat on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, and the College of Music Board of Advisors. I served as President of the Florida Collegiate Division of the National Association for Music Education, and sat on the Board of Directors for the Florida Music Education Association.

I studied Orchestral Conducting with Alexander Jimenez and Wind Conducting with Richard Clary.

Advocacy:

I am passionate about extending quality music education to all students. I have made several trips to Washington D.C. to meet with legislative officials on the importance of music education, and its benefit to students. In 2016, I co-founded an event called the Florida Music Education Association Legislative Advocacy Day: an event in which music educators from all across the state gather at the Florida State Capitol to meet with representatives on legislative points pertinent to education. This event still carries on to this day, and I have been invited to speak at state and national music education conferences on the topic.

Published Arrangements and Compositions:

-Chick Corea: The Continents (arranged for Jazz Combo and Chamber Winds)

-Olafur Arnalds: Doria (arranged for Full Orchestra)

–Adams Beach (original March for Concert Band)

–Csardas (arranged for Soloist and Wind Ensemble)

For inquiries regarding clinics, consultation, adjudication, or one of my arrangements,

Please contact me via email:

mgmagabriel@gmail.com