Fuller Lyon, distinguished lecturer, assistant director of bands, and associate director of marching and athletic bands in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, was selected to compete in the Warsaw Wind Band Conducting Competition at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. The Warsaw Wind Band Conducting Competition is an incredible opportunity as it challenges conductors with a mix of classical masterworks and new compositions by living composers (including Polish composers), promoting expansion and renewal of wind-band repertoire.
“I had zero expectations,” Lyon said. “I was excited about the invitation and the opportunity to go over there and represent the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music and the Tennessee band program.”
The competition aims to support, promote, and raise the standard of wind-band conducting globally by offering opportunities to conduct high-level ensembles, be evaluated by expert juries, and win recognition. Operating in multiple stages, the competition includes a preselection, a two-piano audition, a chamber-wind ensemble rehearsal, a final with a full-wind orchestra, and concludes with the gala concert, where winners are announced. Winners often get the opportunity to conduct the wind orchestra in concert and receive awards.
The intensity of each stage served as a reminder to Lyon that learning is a never-ending process. He utilizes these types of opportunities to prove to himself, his students, and the university that even someone working at the collegiate level can still find ways to improve their craft.
“After going through this process, I feel I’m a stronger musician than I was a month ago,” Lyon said. “I’m much more comfortable with learning a large amount of music in a short period of time. If you never take risks, you may never discover what you’re capable of becoming. This project was a risk, and it demanded a lot of studying and preparation outside a typical workday. But I can tell I’ve grown and am more confident working with a variety of ensembles.”
In addition to conducting at events like the Warsaw Wind Band Conducting Competition, Lyon conducts the UT Symphonic Band. He also regularly works with the Pride of the Southland Marching Band as its assistant director. Lyon’s selection to compete isn’t just impressive on its own; it directly benefits our students when our faculty stay active and shows that they’re always pushing themselves professionally in and outside of the classroom.
Lyon said that he hadn’t taken the straightest path for his career; his professional journey has been full of growth and learning. Although he began his education as a music major, he was also recruited to play college athletics. At this time, he decided he would pursue a degree in sports management. Once he finished his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in sports management, he was recruited to come back and work for UT by writing and helping teach marching band shows, which encouraged him to go back to school in 2008 to become an undergraduate in music education again.
“It doesn’t matter where you begin,” Lyon said. “What people notice is how you grow, and you can sense the appreciation they have for that. It’s all about taking the risks that propel you forward – whether you’re designing a marching band show, programming for the Symphonic Band, or anything along those lines.”
Even though the competition was populated by people of different cultures, backgrounds, and skill levels, Lyon was reminded of how universal and collaborative music can be.
“Music is a universal language,” Lyon said. “It’s a lot like math – no matter where you are in the world, numbers are the same. It was incredible to see that even though we were competing, the atmosphere stayed positive, and everyone was genuinely supportive of one another.”
