The Performance of a Lifetime
By Marty Steiner
The image of Florida’s St. Petersburg that many may have of its senior citizens has them sitting on sun-drenched park benches, perhaps feeding the pigeons. But for hundreds of seniors in this area, it’s about practice, rehearsals, concert performances and parades.
This is the Awesome Second Time Arounders world where hundreds of seniors continue to celebrate the impact of music education on their lives. Founded in 1983 by Bill Findeisen who passed away on February 5th, the band participated in his recent Celebration of Life Service. Over two hundred Rounders including band, flags, color guard and others provided a respectful musical send-off at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg on March 8th.
Bill, with a Master/s Degree in Music Education from Florida State University (FSU), began his career as a junior high school and then high school band director. After retiring from teaching, he purchased and operated a local music store, Bringe Music Center, which grew to regional status. That store closed as Bill again retired in 2022.
It was at Bringe Music Center in 1983 that a discussion with Herb Melloney, Executive Director of St. Pete’s Festival of States, pondered “what ever happened to all those kids who played and marched in high school, college or military bands” that led to the creation of the Rounders.
Bill finally retired as Founder/Director Emeritus of the Rounders in 2022 and identified his successor, Mark Deen. An update on Deen, the Rounders and other senior focused music organizations across the country is in the works for a later issue of SBO+. RIP Bill !
Congratulations to Tyler Grant, the 2026 Barbara Buehlman Composition Contest Prizewinner!
Tyler’s piece, Simple Suite for Band, will be premiered at the 80th Midwest Clinic this December by one of the middle school ensembles. Tyler S. Grant is an internationally recognized composer, arranger, conductor, and clinician of music for concert bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles of all levels hailing from Smyrna, GA. His music is featured regularly in performances by both region and all state honor ensembles and is also featured annually on Editor’s or Publisher’s Choice Repertoire Lists around the world.
Since 2010, Tyler has regularly accepted commissions for new works and produced new publications for bands and orchestras each year. He credits his mentor Brian Balmages as pivotal to his success as a composer. Notable performance venues of his works include The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, Music for All’s National Concert Band Festival, the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bands of America Grand Nationals, and numerous state-wide, national, and international music conferences and conventions.
In addition to composing and arranging, Tyler enjoys conducting and clinic engagements with ensembles throughout the United States. He has served as a clinician with over 150 school instrumental music programs and honor groups across more than 25 states. Tyler was a contributing author for Alfred Music Publishing Company’s Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series and has contributed interviews to numerous podcasts and articles including School Band & Orchestra Magazine and The Instrumentalist.
Notable conducting venues include The Midwest Clinic and all-state bands in Nebraska, Oregon, Alabama, Louisiana, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Tyler is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education and studied conducting with Professor Randall Coleman. Before becoming a full-time composer and arranger, Tyler served as the Director of Bands at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School from 2019-2023. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and maintains an active composing and conducting schedule.
Special thanks to our judging panel: Michael Sweeney, Robert Herrings, and Jennifer Compton. The 2027 Barbara Buehlman Contest is now open for submissions! To submit, visit https://www.midwestclinic.org/buehlmanprize.
Largest Band Instrument Show in the US at Sweetwater
The National Band Expo will be held on the Sweetwater campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday, May 16.. This expo is the premier chance for musicians to explore, play, and purchase step-up band instruments anywhere in the country.
Attendees will experience an unparalleled selection of instruments — from trumpets and trombones to a wide variety of other band essentials. We expect visitors from across the Midwest and beyond, ready to explore the largest band instrument inventory in the country at the nation’s largest music store.
