Interview with Doug Gilchrist

Doug Gilchrist - Director of Bands at H.D. Woodson Senior High School in northeast Washington, D.C. - talks about the history of and the differences between the high school's musical groups: marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble, and pep band. Gilchrist describes the growth of specific students and how the band community supports each other, particularly how the alumni supports the band community. He explains ways he works with and encourages his students; how he prepares the bands for their performances; and why he teaches the business side of music. He talks about specific graduates of H.D. Woodson SHS and what they went on to - college and post-college. Gilchrist describes his start with music in middle school; when, why, and how he figured out he wanted to be a band director in the eighth grade; and then studying and performing music at H.D. Woodson SHS before attending Howard University. He talks about his professional experience, particularly his jazz career; his musical composition experiences; and his creative process when he composes music. Gilchrist also talks about how technology has changed the musical experience, borrowing from jazz for the band music, how go-go music has changed, and his passion for music and expansive knowledge of music to be able to teach all types of students.

Interview. Dated 20110203.