In speaking their praises Dr. Robert Carnochan, Director of Wind Ensemble Activities, Music Director/Conductor of the Frost Wind Ensemble, and Professor of Conducting stated: "Mack and Jeff have been outstanding students in the graduate wind conducting program. Jeff has just completed his DMA and is now “Dr. Summers”, while Mack has one more year of course work remaining which he will complete next year while on the job at ISU. Employment opportunities within academia right now are few and far between given the financial restraints as a result of COVID-19. The fact we have two of our students winning jobs in this climate speaks volumes for their abilities and the Frost School in general!"
“My time at the Frost School of Music surrounded me with a community of professional musicians and schools that truly cared about helping me develop my personal artistry and musicianship,” states Mack Wood, who officially assumes his position on July 16, 2020. “The guidance of Dr. Carnochan fueled my development artistically and taught me how to stay curious. Staying curious is the key to being a life-long learner and one of the most valuable things I developed at Frost.”
Jeffrey Summers, who starts his position at the University of Arkansas on July 1 stated: "The wind conducting studio at Frost has a wonderful balance of rigor, friendship, artistry, and opportunity. Few, if any, doctoral conducting programs in the country allow their students the amount of performance opportunities that we are given here. I am especially thankful for my professor and mentor, Dr. Robert Carnochan, who has believed in me and guided my growth, both professionally and personally. I have also been very lucky to have amazing colleagues in the wind conducting studio and outstanding musicians to collaborate within the Frost Wind Ensemble and Frost Symphonic Winds. I’m sure I’ve learned more from them than I could ever provide in return."
