University of Minnesota Duluth Bands: Faculty

Mark Whitlock is Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His responsibilities include directing the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaching Instrumental Conducting, teaching Applied Trombone, Instrumental Teaching Methods and supervision of Instrumental Student Teachers. Prior to his appointment at UMD, Mark was Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Trombone at Eastern Kentucky University, a position he held since 1986. While at Eastern Kentucky University, Mark was the Associate Director of the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp and was the director of the junior high band portion of that camp. He has also held the position of Associate Director of Bands at Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa from 1980 to 1983.

Dr. Whitlock received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Iowa State University, Master of Music in Trombone Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa and the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting, also from the University of Iowa. He is a frequent clinician throughout the country having conducted honors bands and clinics in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, West Virginia and California. Mark has also been the guest conductor at the Indiana Summer Music Clinic and the International Music Camp. Dr. Whitlock is conductor of the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, a local wind ensemble dedicated to the performance of the finest wind band literature. He has also conducted the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Both the UMD Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble have performed at state and national conventions including the Minnesota Music Educators Association Convention and the American School Band Directors Association National Convention. Dr. Whitlock is also the founder and director of the North Shore Summer Music Experience, a summer camp for young musicians which is held on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth. Currently, he serves as chair of the Minnesota College Band Directors National Association and is on the board of the Minnesota Band Diretors Association.

Daniel W. Eaton is the Assistant Director of Bands as the University of Minnesota Duluth. His responsibilities include directing the Concert Band, Pep Bands, Marching Band and Combo IV; teaching Applied Tuba/Euphonium and courses in Instrumental Brass Methods; and playing tuba in the UMD Faculty Brass Quintet. Prior to his appointment at UMD, Mr. Eaton spent eight years as Director of Bands at high schools in New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania. While directing his high school programs, Mr. Eaton's bands consistently performed and achieved superior ratings at state festivals and marching contests.

Mr. Eaton received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, and his Masters of Music in Tuba Performance and Pedagogy with a minor in Wind Conducting from Eastern Kentucky University. While at Eastern Kentucky University, Mr. Eaton was Graduate Assistant of Band and Tuba, conducting the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Tuba Ensemble and teaching Applied Tuba and Freshman Music theory. He has played Euphonium with the Lexington Brass Band and has played Tuba with the Johnstown Symphony, Westmoreland Symphonies, IUP Faculty Brass Quintet and the EKU Faculty and Honors Brass Quintets. Currently, Mr. Eaton is the Principal Bass Trombonist with the Keystone Winds, under the direction of Jack Stamp and Principal Tubist with the UMD Festival Orchestra, having played for the Minnesota Ballet over the past 5 years.

Dan has also written drill and music arrangements for the Colonel Marching Band. He is a frequent Marching Band clinician throughout the east and midwest having worked with bands in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Marching Band Experience - Drill Writing, Marching and Maneuvering Clinician, Adjudicator.: