Lewis Norfleet

Lewis Norfleet

Director of Bands
Central Washington University

  Biography

Lewis Norfleet serves as Director of Bands at Central Washington University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate and undergraduate instrumental conducting. He also oversees the CWU Band Program that includes 3 music-major concert bands, the 230-member CWU Marching Band and athletic bands.

Norfleet has conducted performances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, National Association for Music Education state and regional conferences, as well as numerous honor bands around the country. Most recently, the CWU Wind Ensemble performed at the 2016 Washington Music Educators Conference, the 2017 NAfME Northwest Division Conference and will be performing at the College Band Directors National Association Regional Conference in Sonoma, California in March 2018.

Prior to his appointment at CWU, Norfleet taught at the secondary and collegiate levels for 19 years. His high school programs in Oregon and Washington performed at several regional and national conferences, were recognized as Oregon State Concert Band Champions, were three-time Northwest Marching Band Champions, and were twice named a Grammy Foundation Signature School. Before teaching in the public schools, Norfleet was the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Director of Bands at Oregon State University.

Norfleet is active as a composer and arranger having produced over 300 works for concert band, marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble and various chamber ensembles. While most of his works have been privately commissioned, some have been published by Tapspace Publications, Matrix Publishing, Jalen Publishing, Marching Monk, Center X Productions, and Marching Show Concepts. He currently serves as a composer and/or arranger for ensembles across the United States and is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician for concert and marching festivals throughout the country.

Norfleet did his doctoral studies in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington and is an alumnus of the University of Oregon where he graduated with honors. He is the Northwest Division Chair of the National Band Association, a member of the Washington Music Educators Association and College Band Directors National Association, and is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician.

  Session Titles

Excellence Matters: Why the "HOW" is more important than the "WHAT"

Teacher

There is so much to do when teaching music that often we misconstrue doing for actual achievement. Excellence is replaced by activity and countless students are left without a music education that is truly outstanding. We MUST go for excellence at all times and let the HOW drive the bus, not the WHAT. The future of music education and the students who could experience hang in the balance. This session will provide strategies for teaching and program building that address this issue.


Good to Great: Take your students & program to new heights

Teacher

This session is about evolving your current program to be more dynamic, inclusive, and most importantly, more excellent. I outline strategies for identifying strengths and weaknesses of your students, program and community and provide strategies to take them all to the next level.


Quality Repertoire for Young Bands

Teacher

Excellent and inspired repertoire for young bands can not only be difficult to find, but is also critical to a high quality music education.


Superior Rehearsal Series: Developing Rhythm and Technique

Teacher

This session will focus on developing outstanding individual and ensemble rhythmic precision and technical facility in the context of a concert band rehearsal. A clinic ensemble will be used to demonstrate various concepts and methods. Attendees will receive free copies of all instructional materials for their use.


Superior Rehearsal Series: Developing Tone Quality and Intonation

Teacher

This session will focus on developing outstanding individual and ensemble tone quality in the context of a concert band rehearsal. A clinic ensemble will be used to demonstrate various concepts and methods. Attendees will receive free copies of all instructional materials for their use.