Yurii Henriques, M.M.
Education/Degrees:
- Post-Graduate studies in Music Education – The Hartt School
- M.M. – University of Massachusetts
- B.A. – Hampshire College
Honors/Awards:
- Vulcan Award for Teaching Excellence – 2019
- “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” – 2005, 2002, & 2000
- Nominated/Selected to the American School Band Directors Association – 2003
- SWPS Music Program – a national Grammy Signature School – 2003 & 1999
- School Band & Orchestra Magazine, “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” – 2000
- Numerous Superior awards as conductor of the South Windsor High School Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble – 1997 – 2005
- “Nica’s Dream” arrangement premiered at the National Association of Jazz Educators conference, Washington D.C. – 1991
- First student selected to conduct at the biennial Five College Choral Festival, Amherst, MA – 1989
- Concert Band
- Jazz Band
- Hand Bell Choir
- Basic Conducting and Instrumental Conducting
- Orchestration
- American and World Music History
- Introduction to Teaching Music
- Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, and String Methods courses
- Teaching Music in the Elementary School
- Teaching Music in the Middle & High School
- Clinical Practice
Research Interests:
- Philosophy, apologetics, and theology of music, education, and music education
- Conducting and ensemble performance
- Ear Training and Musical Literacy
- Composition and Music Theory
Scholarly Service and Research:
- Festival adjudicator – ACSI Choral and Band Festivals, 2016-2020
- Festival adjudicator and clinician – Sugar Hill Christian School, 2020 & 2021
- Festival adjudicator and clinician – Rabun County Middle School, 2021
- Clinician – Stephens County High School Band, 2019-2021
- Clinician – Rabun County High School Band, 2020
Conducting:
- Guest Conductor – Habersham County Middle School Band Festival, 2019
- Guest Conductor – North Habersham Middle School Symphonic Winds, 2019
- Festival Conductor – Northwest Iowa Honors Orchestra, 2014
- Music Director – Northwest Iowa Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2013-2014
- Guest Conductor – Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra, 2006-2013
- Music Director – Alabama Youth Symphony, 2013 & 2007-2008
- National Association for School Music
- Georgia Music Educators Association
When I’m away from the classroom, I enjoy:
- Hiking, Spending time with family, Reading, Traveling (30 states in the USA, so far!)
People might be interested to know:
- Taught music to undergraduates and students in grades 5-12 for 25 years in three different regions and five different states of the United States
- Managed employees for a national Healthcare company as well as projects for an nationally-recognized architectural firm that specializes in disabilities compliance
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
“Suppose there were no intelligence behind the universe. In that case nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. Thought is merely the byproduct of some atoms within my skull. But if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course, I can’t trust the arguments leading to atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I can’t believe in thought; so, I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.” – C.S. Lewis, Broadcast Talks
Watching students develop over time in three particular areas: their ability to think, to deepen their commitment to the Lord through music and teaching by means of hard work and dedication, and to develop a depth of virtue in themselves that they can impart to their future students and musicians.
