John Alan Carnahan

From Wind Repertory Project
John Alan Carnahan

Biography

John Alan Carnahan (b. 1955) is Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach.

He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts Degree from the University of San Francisco. Prior to his appointment at Long Beach, Mr. Carnahan served as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Texas, Arlington and Director of Bands at Clovis High School in Clovis, California.

In addition to his university duties, Professor Carnahan is highly active nationally as a guest conductor, adjudicator, lecturer, and composer/arranger. He has conducted ensembles at the Music Educators National Conference Biennial National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association National, Southwestern and Western/Northwestern Division Conferences, the Texas Music Educators Association State Conference, the Colorado Music Educators Association, the California Music Educators Association State Conference, and internationally in Europe, Japan, and Korea. He is in demand as an honor band conductor and has conducted countless performances at the local, regional, and national levels. Most recently he held the position of visiting professor/conductor at Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea and conducted a highly acclaimed Wind Orchestra performance at the Seoul Arts Center Theater. He also serves as a music/performance consultant with the Dallas Brass.

Professor Carnahan is a sought after clinician and has presented numerous clinics and performance demonstrations for national and statewide music education organizations and conferences including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Il. His innovative and thought-provoking sessions on ensemble rehearsal techniques and the art of conducting are always well received.

As a composer, Professor Carnahan’s wind band compositions and arrangements have received many performances and have been heard throughout the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and Japan. Professor Carnahan won the 2007 College Band Directors National Association Young Band Composition Contest with his work entitled, …and the antelope play, published by Manhattan Beach Publications. C. Alan Publications also publishes his wind works. Three of his works are included in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Series, through GIA Publications, Inc. Recently, his work entitled, I Hear Him!, premiered at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Chiayi City, Taiwan.


Works for Winds


Resources