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Sounds of the Season

Randall O. Coleman, Conductor
Kim Bain, Conductor

Bruce Meadows, Vocalist
Kaelyn Hester, Vocalist

Gloria!: Randol Alan Bass

Overture to Miracle on 34th Street: Bruce Broughton arr. Johnnie Vinson

Night Before Christmas: Randol Alan Bass

O Holy Night: Adolphe Adam arr. Julie Giroux

Light the Menorah!: arr. Evan van Doren

Jingle Bells Fantasy: arr. John Wasson

Sleigh Ride: Leroy Anderson

Brief Intermission

Greensleeves: arr. Alfred Reed

Christmas Night: Harrison Collins

The Prayer: Carole Bayer Sager/David Foster arr. Kerry Bryant

Three Wise Guys: Julie Giroux

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen arr. Dale Bloodworth

Polar Express: Alan Silverstri/Glen Ballard arr. Jerry Brubaker

Alabama Winds is proud to recognize the following members for being National Board Certified Teachers:

Joanna Finch

Michael Chambless

Kelly Howard

Carrie Cruz

Dakota Bromley

Nathan Haskew

Erin Lyon

Leah Seng
 

Alabama Winds thanks the faculty and administration at Thompson High School, as well as the Superintendent and administration for Alabaster City Schools, for allowing us to call the Thompson High School Performing Arts Center home. 

Randall O. Coleman

Conductor and Artistic Director

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Randall Coleman is currently Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  At UTC, Professor Coleman serves as the conductor of the UTC Wind Ensemble and the Marching Mocs.  He also teaches conducting and band organization classes.  Prior to joining the faculty at UTC in July 2021, Mr. Coleman was the Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Alabama where he served for 14 years as the conductor of the Alabama Symphonic Band as the Associate Director of the Million Dollar Band.  Professor Coleman also serves as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Alabama Winds, an all-adult community wind band based in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to his appointment to the faculty at the University of Alabama, Mr. Coleman enjoyed a successful 25-year career as a high school band director and supervisor in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, and the Master of Music Education degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. During his teaching career in Georgia, Mr. Coleman was an active member of the Georgia Music Educators’ Association, where he held the office of President, First Vice-President and State Band Division Chair. Under Professor Coleman’s direction, the Milton High School Wind Ensemble performed at the 2004 GMEA Inservice Conference, the 2004 Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, and the 2006 National Convention of the Music Educators’ National Conference. At the University of Alabama, Professor Coleman has conducted the Alabama Symphonic Band at the 2014 and 2020 College Band Directors’ National Association Southern Regional Convention, and the 2012 Alabama Music Educators’ Conference. A strong proponent of new music for wind band, he has commissioned or participated in consortiums for 11 pieces including Diamond Fanfare by Samuel R. Hazo, Diabolus Ex Machina by Jim Bonney, Mutiara by Anthony Barfield, Auto ’66 and Symphony No. 1 – Codex Gigas by James David, Alabama Fanfare by Robert W. Smith, Devils’ Drive by Brett Abigaña, Solace in the Equinox and The Best of Rooms and The Sacred Spheres by Tyler S. Grant, and In My Father’s Eyes by Julie Giroux. Professor Coleman has served as a guest conductor of the Sabina Wind Orchestra in Rieti, Italy and conducted the Alabama Wind Ensemble as a part of the International Music Meetingin May of 2012 in Padova, Italy.  Professor Coleman also led the Alabama Winds on a 12-day tour of Italy, performing concerts in Como and Rome. He has been published six times as a Research Associate to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band book series published by GIA publications. Professor Coleman has conducted the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band in performances in every major collegiate bowl game and at 7 National Championship games. Under his direction, the Alabama Winds has given invitational performances at the 2015 and 2019 Alabama Music Educators’ Association Inservice Conference, the 2016 University of Alabama Honor Band Festival, the 2020 Samford University Honor Band Festival and at the 2017 Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois.  Professor Coleman has also conducted all state bands and all region bands across the country.  Professor Coleman is an elected member in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and is currently serving as President of the National Band Association, the largest band director organization in the world.  Professor Coleman also holds membership in the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, the Tennessee Music Educators’ Association, the Georgia Music Educators’ Association, the Alabama Music Educators’ Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.

Kim Bain

Assistant Conductor

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Kim Bain retired as band director at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, in May 2021. For thirty-four years, ensembles under her direction were consistently cited for musical excellence at both the state and national levels. She was recently inducted into the Vestavia Hills City Schools Teacher Hall of Fame. In 2015, Ms. Bain’s Symphonic Band performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The band was also declared the 2015 winner of the National Band Association’s Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence. The Pizitz Band was selected as a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Sudler Cup in 2013. The Symphonic and Concert Bands also performed at the 2013 Music for All- National Middle School Music Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana; and in January 2020, her band performed at the Alabama Music Educators state conference. Other invitational performances include the February 2014 performance at CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference at the University of North Florida. In December 2014, the band performed at the Southeastern United States Middle School Clinic at Troy University. In 2017, the Jazz Band and Percussion Ensembles performed at the Alabama Music Educators Conference; and the Symphonic Band performed at the Music for All Regional Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. In February 2018, the  Band performed at the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference at the University of South Florida. In 2018, Ms. Bain was presented the Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator Award by the Alabama Music Educators Association. She was awarded the Phi Beta Mu, Rho Chapter, Outstanding Bandmaster Award in 2014 and named Teacher of the Year for the Vestavia Hills City Schools in 2012. Ms. Bain has served as a clinician for the Alabama Bandmasters Association and guest conducted numerous honor bands and camps in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in music education, a Master of Arts in music education, and an Education Specialist degree from the University of Alabama. She also holds a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Ms. Bain’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu. Since retirement from public school teaching, she is the saxophone instructor at Samford University, and an active freelance musician in the Birmingham area.

Tony Giles

Voice of the Alabama Winds

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Tony Giles is the “Voice of the Crimson Tide” at Bryant-Denny Stadium and Coleman Coliseum. A vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, many of his weekends and weeknights are devoted to stadium announcing for football, gymnastics and men’s basketball at The University of Alabama. Prior to beginning his career in financial services, he was a talk show host and reporter on television and radio in Birmingham. Lynn, his wife, teaches third grade in Hoover and is a doctoral candidate in Elementary Education at UAB. They have two sons; Scott, a graduate of The University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences, is a Certified Personal Trainer and Rowdy, a graduate student in Music Performance at The University of Alabama. Tony is a charter member of Alabama Winds and has been the “Voice of Alabama Winds” since the ensemble’s inception in 2013.

Bruce Meadows

Vocalist

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Bruce is always honored to return to the stage with Alabama Winds. His previous stage appearances include many years aboard Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line as lead and featured vocalist. He was a Featured Soloist and ensemble Member in the National Tour of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He’s performed on stage throughout the Midwest and Southeast including regional productions of Annie, Jesus Christ superstar, Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty & The Beast, and in the World Premier Cast of “I Dream” at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. When not on stage, his creativity is utilized as Colorguard Director/visual consultant for many marching band programs, and indoor colorguard programs in Georgia and Alabama. He is currently on staff with the Southern Association For Performance Arts: SAPA, as the Announcer for all indoor Winterguard performances. In previous years, he was the featured Vocalist with the University of Alabama, Million Dollar Band for their annual Veteran's Day tribute during halftime at Bryant-Denny Stadium. While at home in Georgia, he has joined prestigious ensembles such as Georgia Wind Symphony and Tara Winds as a featured vocalist, but always feels like “family” when sharing the stage with the talent and musicianship of Alabama Winds! Happy Holidays y’all!~

Kaelyn Hester

Vocalist

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Kaelyn Hester is a native of Gadsden, AL where she now serves as an elementary music teacher in Gadsden City Schools. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a degree in Vocal Music Education. During her time at JSU, she had the privilege of performing in lead soprano roles in the Jacksonville Opera Theatre’s productions of Cosi fan Tutte, Die Fledermaus, The Gondoliers, and A Hand of Bridge. She was also a member of The Marching Southerners, A Cappella Choir, and Chamber Singers. While competing, Kaelyn was awarded the Penelope Cunningham Scholarship (first place in the voice category) as well as the overall competition winner (Walter Sechriest Award) given by the Birmingham Music Club Guild. She also won First Place in the college division for young women at the Alabama NATS competition. When Kaelyn is not teaching or singing, she enjoys volunteering at church and spending time with her husband, Graham. After attending Alabama Winds’ concerts for the past 11 years, she is thrilled to perform with this amazing group for the first time!

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Personnel

Click the button below to view the personnel of the Alabama Winds. 

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