Townes O Miller
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Music
Arts & Behavioral Sciences
Academic and Student Affairs
SVSU Main Campus
Arbury Fine Arts 104A
tomiller@svsu.edu
Biography
Townes Osborn Miller, DMA, Adjunct Flute Instructor and Director of the Flute Choir at Saginaw Valley State University and is the Professor of Music and Coordinator at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, She also maintains a private studio.
Dr. Miller tours internationally with both the International Flute Orchestra and the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, with whom she performed in 2023 in Provence and Switerland, in 2022 in Belgium and Luxemburg and in 2019 Southern Italy, Sicily, Malta and the Amalfi Coast. Just before the pandemic began in February 2020, Dr. Miller premiered a piece she commissioned for Flute, Mallet Percussion and Piano, by Bill Withem, Dragonfly. In 2019, Dr. Miller premiered a flute/organ piece written for her and Nicholas Schmelter by Moonyeen Albrecht, Psalms for Flute and Organ (set 2). In 2018, Dr. Miller performed on a world premiere piece for flute choir, Three Lyric Escapades, by Bruce Frazier, at the National Flute Association Convention. She gives recitals regularly throughout Michigan and in January of 2020, performed at Western Carolina University, North Carolina. She looks forward to taking the stage again with guest artist Dr. Brittnee Seimon, mezzo-soprano, and Dr. Carl Angelo, piano. Dr. Miller was the Artist in Residence for the St. Paul’s Music in the Heart of the City concert series in Flint for their 2019-2020 season.
An active clinician and adjudicator, Dr. Miller has presented “Flute 101: Tips and Tricks to Ensure a Better Flute Section” and “Recommended Solo and Ensemble Literature for Flute” at the annual Michigan Music Conference. Her presentation for flute was also accepted into the 75th Midwest Clinic conference for December 2021. She has adjudicated for the Flint Institute of Music, MSBOA, and the Southeast Michigan Flute Association among others, throughout the United States.
Dr. Miller serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the National Flute Association Conventions every year. These conventions attract nearly 3,000 flutists from all over the world. Dr. Miller also serves on the Board of Trustee’s for the Flint Institute of Music, chairs the Patron Development committee and serves on the Executive Board. She is a past member of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation board. Dr. Miller received her DMA with honors, from the University of Kansas and her MA and BA from Western Carolina University. Her primary professors were Dr. Eldred Spell and David Fedele.
Education
University Kansas
Teaching Interests
Flute & Flute Choir
8/2013-present Flute Instructor, Adjunct, Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw, MI
- Teach flute majors, minors, secondary education, and community students
- Directs Flute Choir
- Flute choir was invited to participate/perform at the
- 50th National Flute Association convention in Chicago (2022)
- Teach flute studio class (when offered)
- Have coordinated the following special events:
- SVSU Flute Day with Viviana Guzman March 25, 2023
- SVSU Flute Day with Jeff Zook (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) 2018
- SVSU WW Day with Sharon Sparrow, Alex Kinmonth, Ralph Skiano (DSO)2022
- Flute Majors selected for Music Majors in Recital:
- Kaitlyn Richards (2014, 2017, 2018) and Josie Born (2018)
- Josie Born selected as an National Flute Association Convention Intern (2019)
- Samantha Hartwick selected as a scholarship recipient for the National Flute Association 2021 virtual convention
Research
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Faculty Recitals
2023 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital (upcoming March 28), Saginaw, MI
with Bret Hoag, guitar
2022 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital
with guest Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano (March), Saginaw, MI
2020 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital
featuring World Premier of “Dragonfly”
for flute, percussion and piano, by Dr. Bill Withem, Saginaw, MI
2019 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital
with Guest Artist, Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano, Saginaw, MI
2019 World Premier - Four Psalms for Flute and Organ, Flint, MI
St. Paul’s Church - Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series
2018 Performer at National Flute Association Convention,
World Premier performance of Flute Choir piece,
“Three Lyric Escapades” by Bruce Frazier, Orlando, FL
2017 Saginaw Valley State University Faculty Recital with Michigan State University DMA String Quartet, Saginaw, MI
2016 Saginaw Valley State University Faculty Recital, Saginaw, MI
2016 Saginaw Valley State University Faculty Recital
with colleague Rachel Andrews, mezzo-soprano, Saginaw, MI
2015 World Premiere, short ballet of The Journey is the Labyrinth Within, Flint, MI
principal flute, composed by Dr. Bill Withem. Performed by the Flint School of Performing Arts ballet.
2015 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital, Saginaw, MI
2015 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital, Saginaw, MI
2014 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital, Saginaw, MI
2013 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Recital, Saginaw, MI
Featured Performer and Solo Performances:
2023 Scheduled performances in Feb, March and April with Bret Hoag, classical guitarist
2022 St. Philips Church - Concert Series
Perform with Guest Artist, Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano, Brevard, NC
2022 St. Paul’s Church - Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series (March) Perform with Guest Artist, Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano, Flint, MI
2021 St. Cecilia Society Recital, November 14, 2021, Flint, MI
2020 St. Paul’s Church, Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series
Artist in Residence (October), canceled due to Covid
2020 Saginaw Valley State University Faculty Recital (October), canceled due to Covid
2020 St. Paul’s Church, Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series, canceled due to Covid
Artist in Residence (March)
2020 Saginaw Valley State University Faculty Recital (March), canceled due to Covid
2020 St. Paul’s Church, Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series
Artist in Residence, World Premier of “Dragonfly”
for flute, percussion and piano, by Dr. Bill Withem, Flint, MI
2020 Western Carolina University Flute Festival, Cullowhee, NC
2019 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2019 St. Paul’s Church - Music in the Heart of the City Concert Series, Flint, MI
Artist in Residence
2019 Guest Artist Recital, Providence School of the Arts, March 29, 2019, Kansas City, MO
2019 St. Cecilia Society Recital, February 3, 2019 , Flint, MI
2018 Performer with Guest Artist, Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano, Flint, MI
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - September 16, 2018
2018 SVSU Flute Day with guest artist, Jeff Zook, September 7, 2018, Saginaw, MI
2018 Performer, National Flute Association Dedicated to our Beloved Teachers
Thursday, August 9, 2018, Orlando, FL
2017 St. Cecilia Society recital, Nov. 12, 2017, Flint, MI
2017 Performer, Second Friday ArtWalk, First Presbyterian Church, Nov. 10, 2017, Flint, MI
2017 Performer, Mott Community College, Oct. 25, 2017, Flint, MI
2017 Guest Soloist, Flute/Organ recital, St. Paul’s Church, Oct. 4, 2017, Flint, MI
2017 Guest Soloist, Flute/Organ recital, First Presbyterian Church Sept., 29, 2017, Caro, MI
2017 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2016 St. Cecilia Society Recital, Dec. 9, 2016, Flint, MI
2016 Guest Concert, First Presbyterian Church, October 9, 2016, Flint, MI
2016 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2015 St. Cecilia Society Recital, November 15, 2015, Flint, MI
2015 Guest Concert, First Presbyterian Church, Nov. 8, 2015, Flint, MI
2015 Soloist, Mott Community College Band, February 23, 2015, Flint, MI
2015 St. Cecilia Society Recital, February 17, 2015, Flint, MI
2014 St. Cecilia Recital, guest - Kathleen Sheehy, vocal, Flint, MI
2014 Soloist, Kansas City Flute Choir
10th Anniversary Concert Oct. 18, 2014, Kansas City, MO
2013 Performer, American Choral Director’s Assoc., Flint, MI
2013 Performer, Faculty Potpourri Recital Series, Flint, MI
2013 Guest Performer, Pia Williams Faculty Recital, Flint, MI
Flint Institute of Music Faculty Concert Series
2013 St. Cecilia Society Recital, May 3, 2013, Flint, MI
2012 St. Cecilia Recital, guest - Kathleen Sheehy, vocal, Flint, MI
2012 Performer, Faculty Potpourri Recital Series, Flint, MI
2012 Guest Performer, guest artist on MCC Jazz Concert, April 17, 2012, Flint, MI
2012 Guest Performer, Fine Arts and Social Sciences, Flint, MI
Haiti and Music Scholarship, April 15, 2012,
2012 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2012 Guest Performer, Free Amir benefit concert, Univ. of M - Flint, Flint, MI
2012 Guest Performer, MCC Jazz Concert, Flint, MI
2012 Guest Performer, Haiti and Music Scholarship fundraiser program, Flint, MI
2011 Mott CC., Faculty Recital, November 15, 2011, Flint, MI
2011 St. Cecilia Society Recital, November 13, 2011, Flint, MI
2011 Guest Performer, Junior St. Cecilia Society/Student Musicale, Nov. 6, 2011, Flint, MI
2011 Graceland University, Guest Artist, Lamoni, IA
2011 Bachathon, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Flint, MI
2010 Guest soloistSt. Cecilia Society, Flint, MI
Orchestras and other performances:
2023 Guest Performer, WildAcres Flute Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC, June
2023 Scheduled tour with IFO to France and Switzerland - May/June
2022 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2022 Flute-chamber orchestra with New Century Chorale, Flint, MI
2022 Performance with IFO for the NFA 50th Convention, Chicago, IL
2022 Metropolitan Flute Orchestra 2022 tour Belgium/Luxemburg, International
2022 Video project with Metropolitan Flute Orchestra for the
2022 International Low Flutes Festival (June), Virtual
2021 Video project with Metropolitan Flute Orchestra for the National Flute
Association virtual convention. Coleridge-Taylor's Danse Negre, Virtual
2021 Video project with the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra for the
Flute Choir Showcase for the Flute Society of Washington, DC., Virtual
2020 Performance with IFO for the NFA Convention, canceled due to Covid
2020 Metropolitan Flute Orchestra Boston/Baltics Tour, canceled due to Covid
2020 IFO Europe Tour - France/Italy, canceled due to Covid
2019 Perform with the International Flute Orchestra Tour, Italy/Malta/Sicily
2019 Man of LaMancha, Bay City Players, principal flute/picc., Bay City, MI
2019 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Spring, Saginaw, MI
2018 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale (Fall), Grand Blanc, MI
2018 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Fall, Saginaw, MI
2018 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale (Spring), Grand Blanc, MI
2018 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Winter, Saginaw, MI
2018 SVSU Flute Studio Recital, Flint, MI
2017 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Fall, Saginaw, MI
2017 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Grand Blanc, MI
2017 Assassins, Saginaw Valley State University, principal flute/picc., Saginaw, MI
2017 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Winter, Saginaw, MI
2016 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Fall, Saginaw, MI
2016 Saginaw Eddy Band, Saginaw, MI
2016 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Winter, Saginaw, MI
2016 Guest Performer, Carolyn Mawby Chorale, Flint, MI
2015 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Fall, Saginaw, MI
2015 How to Succeed in Business Without Trying, principal flute/picc., Saginaw, MI
Saginaw Valley State University
2015 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Winter, Saginaw, MI
2014 Saginaw Eddy Band, Saginaw, MI
2014 SVSU Flute Choir, conductor, Winter, Saginaw, MI
2013 The Producers, Saginaw Valley State University, principal flute, Saginaw, MI
2013 & 2014 Saginaw Eddy Band, Saginaw, MI
2012 Saginaw Valley State University, Choral Concert, Saginaw, MI
Performance of Rutter, principal flute
2012 Saginaw Valley State University, Faculty Potpourri, Saginaw, MI
2011 Ottawa Chamber Symphony, 2nd flute, Ottawa, KS
2010 Guest performer, St. Cecilia Society, Flint, MI
2010 Ottawa Chamber Symphony, 2nd flute, Ottawa, KS
2010 We Three Trio: 29th Season Webster Historical Society Concert, Webster, NC
2010 Guest flutist with Tausha Torrez, soprano, Lawrence, KS
2010 KMEA Flute Choir, University of Kansas, Wichita, KS
2009 We Three trio: 28th Season Webster Historical Society concert, Webster, NC
2009 We Three Trio, Cashiers Library Summer Concert series, Cashiers, NC
2009 St. Matthias Summer Concert series, Asheville, NC
2009 Lawrence Chamber Orchestra, substitute, 2nd flute, Lawrence, KS
2009 Kansas Woodwinds - Faculty Quintet, substitute, piccolo, flute, Lawrence, KS
2008 KU Flute Choir, National Flute Convention, Kansas City, MO
2008 Flute Choir, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
2008 KMEA Flute Choir, University of Kansas, Wichita, KS
2007 New Theater Restaurant Oklahoma!, principal, piccolo, Overland Park, KS
2005-2010 Overland Park Orchestra, principal, second, piccolo, Overland Park, KS
2000-2004&
Works of Creativity
SCHOLARSHIP
December 2021 Presentation, Flute 101: Tips and Tricks to ensure a better flute section, Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL
April 2021 Article Published, The Flute View, “Practice Tips”
December 2020 Presentation, Flute 101: Tips and Tricks to ensure a better flute section, Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL, canceled due to Covid
January 2019 Proposal accepted, Michigan Music Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
“Recommended Solo and Ensemble Literature for Flute”
January 2018 Proposal accepted for Michigan Music Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
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Community Engagement
ADJUDICATION
2023 MSBOA All-State High School, adjudicator, MI
2023 MSBOA All-State Middle School, adjudicator, MI
2022 MSBOA All-State Middle School, adjudicator, MI
2022 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, scholarships, Flint, MI
2022 MSBOA Solo and Ensemble District 16, Jan. 22, Rochester Hills
2022 MSBOA Solo and Ensemble District 16, Jan. 15, Rochester Hills
2021 MSBOA All-State Middle School, adjudicator, MI
2021 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, large ensembles (Sept.), Flint, MI
2021 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, large ensembles (May), Flint, MI
2021 MSBOA Solo and Ensemble District 16, Feb. 1-14 (virtual), Rochester Hills
2020 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, scholarships (October), Flint, MI
2020 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, ensembles (Sept.), Flint, MI
2020 Saginaw Bay Youth Symphony Virtual Summer Camp (July), Flint/Saginaw
2020 Solo and Ensemble District 16 Regionals (Jan.), Rochester Hills
2019 Flint Institute of Music, adjudicator, Feb. 8/9 , Flint, MI
2019 Solo and Ensemble District 16 Regionals, Feb.
Leadership
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2015-present Volunteer Coordinator, permanent position, National Flute Association, Chicago, IL
- In the year before convention, contact local flute teachers, band directors,
and student (and parents) and encourage them to volunteer at the convention
- Coordinates volunteers for approximately 267 events over four days
- Work with online volunteer system
2021 - present Chair, Patron Development Committee, Flint, MI
2021 - present Board Member, Executive Committee, Flint Institute of Music, Flint, MI
2021 - present Board Member, Flint Institute of Music-Board of Trustees, Flint, MI
2019 - 2022 Advisory Member, Flint Symphony Orchestra Advisory Committee, Flint, MI
2018 - present Gemeinhardt Teaching Artist, teaching position with Gemeinhardt Flutes, Elkhart, IN
- Promote high quality flute&