RU professor discusses band competitions and their effects on your child

Can too much competition stifle a young musician's growth?

Yes, says Wayne Gallops, director of Bands and Instrumental Music Education at Radford University. Gallops explains his ideas and delves into his research on the matter in an interview on the With Good Reason radio program.

The interview with Gallops airs Nov. 9-15. Listeners in the New River Valley can hear the program at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12 on Public Radio WVRU 89.9.

Before joining the RU faculty, Gallops taught 19 years in the Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Fla. His high school bands consistently received national and international acclaim, presented superior performances at festivals and toured Japan.

A portion of the professor’s research explores philosophical issues germane to music education in secondary schools.

At RU, Gallops’ responsibilities include conducting the wind ensemble, chamber winds and symphonic band. He teaches music education and conducting courses and coordinates the music education degree program.

With Good Reason has won twice the Gabriel Award for Best Documentary/Public Affairs Program and is also the recipient of top honors from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and a second place in the Public Radio News Directors’ competition.

With Good Reason is produced by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities for the Virginia Higher Education Broadcasting Consortium and is broadcast in Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Maryland; Tennessee; Georgia; Alaska; California; and Michigan.

Programs also are available through podcasts at withgoodreasonradio.org.