Kirt Saville, Director of the School of Music, will deliver the Devotional address.
Saville's remarks will be broadcast live on BYUtv, BYUtv.org (and archived for on-demand streaming), KBYU-TV 11, Classical 89 FM, BYU Radio, and will be archived on speeches.byu.edu.
Kirt Saville is currently serving as the Director of the School of Music at Brigham Young University, where he is the Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Music Education. Coming from 22 years of experience as the Director of Bands and 15 years as the music department chairman at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; Dr. Saville teaches instrumental music education and conducts the Symphonic Band at BYU. Dr. Saville holds a Doctor of Education from Utah State University, a Master of Music in Woodwind Performance from North Texas State University in multiple woodwinds, and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University.
With a clear focus on the development of practical applications for teaching instrumental ensembles, his articles have appeared in the Music Educators Journal, The Instrumentalist, BD Guide, Kansas Music Review, and the Utah Music Educators Journal. He has presented band clinics and session workshops throughout the West, Midwest and the People’s Republic of China (Beijing and Tianjin). Conducting mentors include Frederick Fennell, Eugene Corporon, Mallory Thompson, Thomas Lee, Larry Rachlef, Allan McMurray, Peter Perret, Michael Votta, Dennis Fisher, Glenn Price, and Clark Rundell - all of whom served as guest clinicians at various conducting symposia attended by Dr. Saville.
In 2004 Dr. Saville was invited to the People’s Republic of China to serve as the conductor for the band and orchestra programs at the University of Tianjin. He returned to conduct, perform and teach in the People’s Republic of China in 2007, 2010, and 2011. In 2013 Dr. Saville initiated a summer music internship program in Bolivia. This internship provides opportunities for Brigham Young University students to teach orchestral instruments in private and small group settings under the auspices of theFundación Sinfónica Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Dr. Saville’s greatest joy is found when he is with his sweetheart, surrounded by his five children, their wonderful spouses, and seventeen extraordinary grandchildren who are well above average. He loves the out-of-doors and the profound impact it has upon his life and soul.