Dr. Michael Haithcock

Biography

Michael Haithcock became director of bands and professor of music (conducting) at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2001 after twenty-three years on the faculty of Baylor University. Following in the footsteps of William D. Revelli and H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Haithcock has conducted the internationally renowned University of Michigan Symphony Band and guided the acclaimed graduate band and wind ensemble conducting program, providing administrative leadership in various aspects of the University of Michigan’s diverse and historic band program. Under Haithcock’s guidance, ensembles have received critical acclaim for their high artistic standards and performance repertoire, earning accolades from concerts at national and state conventions, as well as performances in major concert venues, and recordings with Albany, Arsis, and Equilibrium labels. Haithcock was selected to conduct the world premiere of Daron Hagen’s "Bandanna," an opera for voice and wind band commissioned by the College Band Directors’ National Association. He is a leader in the commissioning and premiering of new works for concert band and has earned praise from composers and conductors for his innovative approaches to developing wind ensemble repertoire and programming. Haithcock is in constant demand as a guest conductor and resource person at symposiums and workshops in a variety of instructional settings, including festival and all-state appearances across the country. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and received the 1996 Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Music at Baylor University, having also pursued additional study at various conducting workshops, including the Herbert Blomstedt Orchestral Conducting Institute. As an instrumentalist, his articles on conducting wind literature have been published in Music Education journals and magazines such as WINDS.

Research Interests