Encore Youth Programs: Youth Big Band

Encore! Performing Arts is excited to announce a new performance opportunity for students through Encore Youth Programs: Youth Big Band! Encore Youth Programs empowers young musicians to achieve excellence and inspire their communities through a shared love of music.

Youth Big Band Winter Concert

Join us on Sun, Dec 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM for a night of amazing music performed by Encore's inaugural Youth Big Band at Orlando Shakes (812 East Rollins Street Orlando, FL 32803)!

Our talented young musicians will be showcasing their skills with a lively performance that you won't want to miss with a compilation of big band jazz, swing, Latin, and holiday tunes.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door via the Eventbrite page. No cash/checks will be accepted at the door.

Get ready to tap your feet along to the sounds of our talented youth big band members. It's going to be a night to remember, so grab your friends and family and come support these talented young musicians!

Don't miss out on this special event - mark your calendars and we'll see you there!

Questions? Email us at eyp@encorecentral.org

DR. MICHAEL ANTMANN - 24/25 YOUTH BIG BAND SEASON CONDUCTOR

Michael Antmann is in his 24th year as a music educator, and his ninth as band director at Freedom High School. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Florida State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his current position, he served as the Music Resource Teacher for Orange County Public Schools, and as band director at Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida, and Swift Creek Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.

Ensembles under Dr. Antmann’s direction have earned performance invitations including the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival (2004), the CBDNA/NBA Southern Division Conference (2006, 2024), the UCF Music for All Regional Concert Band Festival (2019, 2022), and the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) conference (2011, 2014, 2022). He has been awarded five Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, the FBA “Tom Bishop Award”, the “Oliver Hobbs Award,” Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 and 2018 OCPS/Kessler Grand Bohemian Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts Awards. He was also a national semi-finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Grammy Music Educator Awards.

Dr. Antmann is an active member of both FMEA and the Florida Bandmasters Association, serving in multiple leadership roles. He is an instructor at and co-founder of the Florida Band Director Workshop in Titusville, which is an intensive and interactive workshop focused on conceptual teaching and band pedagogy. He is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and has presented sessions at state and national conferences.