Jim Phillips, Former Notre Dame Band Director, Passes Away August 20, 2009
James Steven Phillips served as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Notre Dame for 33 years beginning in 1965, and as acting Director of Bands at Notre Dame for the 1986-87 school year, but his tenure spans approximately 43 years, entering Notre Dame as a freshman in 1952.
Phillips earned both graduate and undergraduate degrees in Music from the University of Notre Dame, with his Bachelor of Music degree in 1956 and Master of Music Education in 1961. He played clarinet, along with other woodwind instruments, in the Notre Dame Band. He served as secretary to the director during the 1954-55 school year and as student assistant director in 1955-56. Phillips served for two years as band director at Catholic Central High School in Clarksville, West Virginia. Returning to Notre Dame for his master's degree study, he was graduate assistant director for 1960-61. Robert O'Brien, Notre Dame's band director at that time, summarized Jim Phillips' student service to the Notre Dame Band with these words: "Fine person, excellent musician, excellent teacher."
Following his graduation, Phillips was director of music at Muskegon Catholic Central High School for four years. Hired as Associate Director of Bands at Notre Dame in 1965, he was responsible for designing the marching drills for the Band of the Fighting Irish, directing the varsity bands, and assisting with the marching and concert bands. He retired as Associate Director of Bands in 1998, continuing to teach music classes at Notre Dame until 2002. Phillips contributed to various publications including the School Musician, the Instrumentalist, and the Selmer Bandwagon. His professional memberships included the National Catholic Bandmasters Association, American Federation of Musicians, College Band Directors National Association, Indiana Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and American Association of University Professors.
James S. Phillips received the Adam P. Lesinsky Award from the National Catholic Bandmasters Association and served as the Executive Director of the Band Alumni of Notre Dame. During his decades at Notre Dame, Jim Phillips became legendary for his vast and detailed memory of all the generations of Notre Dame Band students who benefited from his mentoring and leadership.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 25th from 3 - 7 pm at Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road in South Bend. A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 26th at 9:30 am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame Campus.A reception will follow services.
University of Notre Dame Concert Band to Perform at Carnegie Hall
The Notre Dame Concert Band will make its concert debut at Carnegie Hall on May 11, 2010. This event will be an exclusive presentation of the University of Notre Dame and promises to be a musical milestone for the Notre Dame Band Program. The concert will showcase Notre Dame's character and musical artistry while leaving a lasting legacy of new music.
The program will feature guest soloist Philip Smith, principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and Stephen Lancaster who teaches voice at Notre Dame. The Band will premiere new works for band by award winning composer Samuel Hazo and renowned contemporary composer Joseph Turrin. The concert will also feature famous Notre Dame alumnus Regis Philbin who will conduct the Notre Dame Victory March.
The Carnegie Hall performance will be the final concert of the Band's spring tour to the New York City area. More details regarding the Band's performance and tour will be available over the summer. Please check back often for updates.
Marching Band to Travel to San Antonio for Notre Dame vs. Washington State Football Game
The Notre Dame football team will begin its series of off-site home games in the 2009 season and the Band will be there to help them shake down the thunder in the Alamodome. In addition to the game vs. Washington State the Band will be performing at a Notre Dame pep rally at the Alamo, exhibitions at some local high schools, and performances on the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk. The game will be held on October 31, 2009. For more information on the game please visit the Notre Dame Athletics site at www.und.com.
Band Releases 2008 CD and DVD: Tradition, Excellence, Family
The Notre Dame Band is proud to announce the release of its 2008 Season CD and DVD, Tradition, Excellence, Family. The 2008 Season was a very special one for the Band and you'll get to see and hear it all. From the historic Victory March Centennial Celebration which included our 500+ member alumni band to the ND Band's first ever performance in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, these recordings will give you the best seat in the house to enjoy the sights and sounds of the oldest band in the country... and the best. Every beat of the drums, tweet of the whistle, and note on the horns is captured, so you can relive the entire band season and enjoy those memorable halftime shows over and over.
Tradition, Family, Excellence is available now from our webstore. The CD is $15 and the DVD is $20. They make a great gift and are the best way to bring the feeling of gameday in South Bend home.
Order Yours Today!!!
Band Performs at USC vs. Notre Dame Football Game in Los Angeles
The Band of the Fighting Irish travelled to Los Angeles to perform at the USC vs. Notre Dame football game in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Band members departed on November 28th from Chicago and rehearsed at two local schools the morning of the game. The band received a standing ovation following their halftime performance and the trip was memorable for all involved. This was the first time that the Notre Dame Band has performed in LA Coliseum since the Notre Dame and USC began playing each other in 1926.
Lou Holtz Addresses Notre Dame Band
Legendary Irish football coach Lou Holtz stopped by a recent Notre Dame Band practice. Coach Holtz was in South Bend for the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his 1988 National Championship season. He shared many stories of his time coaching at Notre Dame with the students and reflected on the importance of the marching band to the football team and the University. He remarked that "college football would not be the same without marcing bands." He inspired everyone with his enthusiasm for Notre Dame and reminded the band members of the privelage it is to represent the University. The Band performed the 1812 Overture specially for Coach Holtz and Holtz led the band in a performance of the Victory March to conclude his visit.
The Band performed again for Coach Holtz as the University unveiled a statue inside the concourse of the stadium to honor his 1988 National Championship Season.
