CONCERT BAND

Dr. Todd Nichols 

Dr. Todd Nichols currently serves as Director of University Bands at Rutgers University. His duties include oversight and administration of the university band program, directing the Marching Scarlet Knights and Symphonic Winds, and teaching various courses including undergraduate and graduate conducting. As Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Nichols led highly acclaimed performances for the NFL’s nationally televised Monday Night Football and for President Joe Biden.

Dr. Nichols annually serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and recording producer and is especially honored to have guest conducted the United States Army Field Band. Nichols is an advocate for new compositions supporting the efforts of composers in over 30 commissions. Nichols currently serves as President for the Big Ten Band Director’s ​Association.

As artistic director for the Eastern Wind Symphony, Nichols conducted highly acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and recorded recent releases Resurgence and Elements. Under his direction, the EWS received multiple Grammy Award nominations of eligibility and have been invited to perform at major conventions including the 2021 and 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2019 ACB National Convention, 2017 NAfME All Eastern Convention, and 2017 ITG Conference. In addition, Nichols currently serves as Assistant Conductor for the Garden State Symphonic Band.

For nineteen years Dr. Nichols served as Director of Bands at Roxbury and Edison High School in New Jersey, where his ensembles were recognized for outstanding performance at numerous local, state, and many prestigious national festivals and concerts. Dr. Nichols recently co-authored two articles accepted for publication in The Journal of Band Research and WASBE Journal. His professional affiliations include the B1G, WASBE, CBDNA, and AFM.

Dr. Julia Baumanis

Dr. Julia Baumanis is Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Bands at Rutgers University and is the first female instrumental conductor at Rutgers University in its 257 year history. Her duties include serving as the Conductor of the Rutgers Symphony Band, the Associate Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Director of Pep Bands, and teaching courses in instrumental conducting and music education. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Baumanis served as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Baumanis has also served within the music education community on the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) repertoire committee, on Music For All’s Educational Advisory Team in 2023, and is the co-Author of GO ON, Tell Your Story! Voices of Women Band Directors, a book that features the shared experiences of over 100 women band directors, published by GIA Publications in 2023. In January 2023, she was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, a professional orchestra serving the New Brunswick, NJ area for the past 62 years.

A graduate of The Florida State University College of Music, Dr. Baumanis received her bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education, her master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting, and her PhD in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting. Prior to graduate school, she taught public school in south Florida as the Associate Director of Bands and Orchestras at J.P. Taravella High School and the Director of Orchestras at Ramblewood Middle School.

An active performer, educator and researcher, Dr. Baumanis has presented her research internationally, including at the NAfME Research Symposium, the CBDNA National Conference and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Most recently, her research has focused on developing a conductor’s baton that records data collected from a conductor’s expressive gestures. She hopes to implement this technology in the conducting classroom as a technological tool to assist beginning conductors in developing their craft.

Packing for the Dormitory

• There WILL be air conditioning in the dorms. There is no need for students to bring a fan.
• Bring your own sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, wash cloths, soap, shampoo, hand soap, and other personal items. The beds in the dorms are extra-long twin size.
• We recommend against the use of perfumes and colognes, and some coaches may specifically prohibit students from wearing cologne or perfume during rehearsals and performances.
• The dorms at Perry Residence Hall have communal bathrooms and showers, separated by gender. Some students may want shower shoes and a small caddy to carry their personal belongings between their rooms and the bathroom.
• We will be walking 10-15 minutes at a time between the dorm, dining hall, and music buildings. Please bring appropriate footwear!
• Band-aids, aspirin, allergy medicine, sun screen, and other medical supplies you may deem necessary or desirable
• Bring your own utensils, paper or plastic cups, plates, napkins, etc. for dorm room snacking.
  • Snacking is fine, but please be tidy. Rooms must be clean before students can check out.
  • We would suggest that you clearly label any food items or utensils you bring to avoid confusion and accidental use by a roommate.
  • Any major mishaps will be paid for by all the students in the dorm room, unless one student comes forward to claim responsibility.
• Spray cleaner and paper towels (Lysol Kitchen Cleaner, 409, etc…) for cleaning up dorm room messes
• An alarm clock is essential. Students will be largely responsible for getting themselves up and to their first session each morning!
• Fan for use in dorm room (the air conditioning is good but may not be cool enough for some).
• Rain gear (rain coats, umbrellas) just in case!
• Students may bring portable computers if they wish. Wireless internet access will be available only in the dorms.
• Money – student meals are provided (lunch only for commuters; all meals for residents) and trips to town are not allowed. Generally speaking, students have little need to be carrying significant amounts of money.
• Weather-Related Packing: Students are encouraged to bring rain gear, extra shoes, and any other necessary items to walk from the dorms to Nicholas Music Center.

Please Note:

• No alcohol, illegal drug use, or use of tobacco products of any kind
  • ASTA/NJ CMI and RUTGERS UNIVERSITY have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for these activities.
  • Students caught violating this rule will be sent home immediately without the possibility of any refund or credit, and will be disqualified from future sessions of the ASTA/NJ Chamber Music Institute.
• A mini-refrigerator and microwave are provided in each room. DO NOT bring hot plates, toasters, coffee makers, or candles.

 

Dormitory Checklist

Note: Be selective about what you choose to bring.  Students will be responsible for packing, unpacking, and cleaning their rooms.  We usually encourage the principle of “less is more!”

CLOTHING

• Seasonal clothing
• Black and White concert attire for Friday
• Casual “dressy” attire for Wednesday

 

FIRST AID SUPPLIES

• Aspirin or pain relievers
• Band-aids
• Sun screen

 

BED ESSENTIALS

• Bedspread
• Blankets
• Pillow
• Sheets and pillowcases (extra-long twin)

 

STATIONARY

• Paper
• Music Manuscript Paper
• Pencils, pens, highlighter
• Ruler, scissors

 

ENTERTAINMENT

• Board games
• Card games
• Books
• Additional instruments

 

PERSONAL SUPPLIES

• Contacts, solution, and cases
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Soap/Body lotion
• Shaving supplies
• Kleenex
• Nail clippers
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Cosmetics and Cosmetic supplies
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Hand soap
• Hair brush

 

SNACKING

• Paper cups
• Paper plates
• Disposable utensils
• Napkins
• Light snacks
• Drinks

 

MISCELLANEOUS

• Alarm clock
• Fan
• Laundry Basket

 

MUSIC SUPPLIES

• Music stand
• Pencils
• Rock stop
• Rosin
• Extra set of strings

1. Non-Refundable Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. This deposit ensures that your booking is confirmed and reserved exclusively for you. In the event of cancellation, this deposit will not be refunded, regardless of the circumstances.
2. Cancellation before June 15: If you need to cancel your reservation before June 15, you may do so, and you will receive a full refund of any payments made beyond the non-refundable deposit.
3. Cancellation between June 15 and July 1: Cancellations made between June 15 and July 1 will result in a refund of 50% of the total cost, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
4. No Cancellation after July 1: After July 1, cancellations are no longer permitted, and no refunds will be issued for any payments made. This includes the non-refundable deposit as well as any additional payments made towards the reservation.

Please note that this cancellation policy is designed to protect both parties involved. The non-refundable deposit ensures that the service provider is compensated for holding the reservation, while the specified deadlines offer some flexibility for cancellations within certain timeframes. However, once the final cancellation deadline passes, the reservation becomes non-cancellable, and refunds will not be provided.