Band Arranging
Date
February 9-May 1, 2026
Synchronous
Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. CST
Course Number
7066A | 522
Credits
MECA: 3 | MMEd: 2
Tuition
$1194
Course Description
Hone the skills and techniques for arranging concert band and wind ensemble compositions, and learn the instrumentation, devices, techniques and types of scoring that can be used. Band arranging will explore creative adaptation of music from a variety of sources to the pedagogical and aesthetic needs of your student or community bands. Starting with small like-instrument ensembles and growing through woodwind, brass and percussion choirs to full band, the course will give you tools to use in the preparation of materials for use with your students and give you a creative outlet. The course will meet you wherever your experience is currently and give you the confidence to expand your comfort zone.
This course meets every week on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. CST.
*This course is available at two levels:
- MMEd Program Students: If you’re enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook, register for the 500-level course.
- MECA Continuing Education Students: If you’re not in the MMEd program but wish to earn graduate credit, register for the 7000-level course.
The difference in credits earned and tuition costs reflects the varying tuition rates between the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you’re unsure which section is right for you, feel free to reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
Instructor
Ken Snoeck recently retired after a 35-year teaching career, the last 23 of which were at Lake Park High School in Roselle, IL. While at Lake Park, Snoeck’s concert bands toured Moscow in 1997, performing concerts with the band of the Russian Defense Ministry. In 2000, his concert bands toured France, performing a joint concert with the French Navy Band in Toulon. The Lake Park Wind Ensemble was also an Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival contest participant on multiple occasions.
Snoeck received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and Master of Music degrees from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI. In 1973, Snoeck was awarded the College Band Directors National Association’s Best Original Manuscript for the Biennium 1971-1973 composition prize for “Scaramouch”, Symphony No. 3 for Winds and Percussion. He was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame in 2004 and awarded an honorary doctorate from VanderCook in 2008. Since retiring from full time teaching, Snoeck has devoted his time to music composition, arranging and adjudication, traveling to Canada and across the U.S. as a judge for numerous band events.