The Land Gary Gackstatter

Maestro Band Series

PROGRAM NOTES
I have written many works that combine various arts (in many forms) with music: literature, silent cartoons, children's books, masks, and photography. The Land is part of a symphony based on the artwork of landscape artist Mark Flickinger, who finds his inspiration in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
- Gary Gackstatter

ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Gary Gackstatter (b.1959) is an active artist, composer, conductor, performer and teacher, and is currently in his first year of teaching Instrumental Music at St. Louis Community College at Meremac in Kirkwood, MO. Prior to coming to Missouri, Gackstatter has built and maintained outstanding music programs in Oklahoma and Kansas public schools (1981-94), at Southwestern College (1992-06) and Cowley College (1990-2007)in Kansas and has also directed bands at Wichita State University (Fall 06-Spring 07). He is a 2006 Kansas Governor's Arts Award recipient for Individual Multi-genre Artist.

He is directly responsible for many regional art events including symphonic debuts, internationally known guest artists, and projects combining multiple art forms. His published compositions are performed internationally and his vision to combine the various arts genres in performances has gained national attention. Gackstatter has arranged music and performed with: John McCutcheon, Tom Chapin, John Gorka, Barbara Higbie, Rob Faust, Paul Winter, Kansas and Three Dog Night. He has premiered works by Elmer Bernstein (To Kill A Mockingbird and Great Escape) and Eugene Friesen (Grasslands and Carl Sandburg's "Prairie") with the Paul Winter Consort. Other guest artists Gackstatter has worked with include: Howard Levy, Darol Anger, Michael Martin Murphy, Phillip Aaberg, Cherish the Ladies, and many others.

Gackstatter's artwork has been featured in many galleries and publications and his work was recently featured in the PBS film "Flint Hills: Meditations from Kansas Prairieù." He has recently released a book of his artwork and writings: "Pen and Ink" and has recorded several CDs of original music. In July 2007, Gackstatter's art and music were featured on KAKE-TV with Larry Hatteberg.

Gackstatter holds a BME from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a MMP from Wichita State University.

Website: http://GaryGackstatter.com