71. Ron Castonguay discusses the Tik-A Tee Method, his new book "Rhythmic Sight Reading" and more!

An innovative music educator and accomplished musician, composer,
conductor and performer, Ron Castonguay was named Director of the
Arts and Music Director at The Frederick Gunn School in 2019. Ron
teaches all levels of Vocal Ensemble, String Ensemble, and
Concert Jazz Band as well as AP Music Theory and provides private
music instruction. He is responsible for the leadership and
development of the school’s Visual and Performing Arts programs
and champions the growth and integration of the arts and
community through the new Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community
Center. As a result of these efforts, the school has developed
collaborations and maintains partnerships with local arts
organizations, including Pilobolus, Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the
Litchfield Jazz Festival and Litchfield Jazz Camp. Prior to his
arrival at Gunn, Ron served for 23 years as Department Chair for
the Performing Arts and Music Director for grades 9 through 12 at
Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami, Florida. There, he created
and directed the school's String Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra,
Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Vocal Ensemble. His
ensembles performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney
World and Universal Studios, the Strathmore Center for the
Performing Arts and other notable venues, and consistently earned
top marks at district, state and national music festivals. Ron
holds a bachelor's degree in music theory and composition from
the University of Miami (Florida). He is a professional
saxophonist, experienced conductor and published composer. He
conducted the professional run of “Into the Woods” at the
Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center in Miami in 2015 and
performed an alto saxophone solo with the Miami Symphony on
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Ron’s compositions have been
performed numerous times and span a wide array of ensemble
genres, from instrumental to choral, and in all musical idioms,
from classical to contemporary to jazz. His compositions are
currently available at JWPepper.com and LeapYearMusic.com. One of
his choral works, Trust In The Mercy Of Your God, was debuted by
the University of Miami Chorale under the direction of Jo-Michael
Scheibe, and a concert of Castonguay's compositions and
arrangements were presented at the University of Miami's Gusman
Hall in 2009. Most recently, Ron released his new book, "Rhythmic
Sight-Reading: The Tik-A Tee Method," on March 15, 2024. It is a
172-page spiral bound method book for any and every ensemble,
focusing only on rhythm and time signatures, from basic to
advanced, with over 346 practice exercises, all accompanied by
over 363 supplemental MP3s. Learn more at
https://www.roncastonguay.com/ Ron has been, or is currently, an
active member of the National Association for Music Education,
American String Teachers Association, Connecticut Music
Educators’ Association, Jazz Education Network, Florida Orchestra
Association, Florida Vocal Association, Florida Bandmasters’
Association, Florida Music Educators’ Association, Florida
American String Teachers Association, and the Florida Schools
Music Association. As a saxophonist, Ron has released two
self-produced CDs of original music in the contemporary jazz
genre; 1998’s Subtle Touch and On The Right Track, released in
2008. He is also a studio musician, most recently performing all
of the saxophone parts on Kate Nauta’s Holiday LP. Ron’s music is
available on Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, and CDBaby. He performs
live as a solo artist as well as a member of a jazz duo called
Perfect Manhattan, and two jazz/blues/funk bands called Front
Burner and The Roxtones. Ron is available as a commissioned
composer (any idiom), a guest conductor (any genre), and a
professional saxophonist (classical or jazz). ​Ron resides in
Washington, CT, with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters,
Siena and Summer. Contact Ron at: Ron@RonCastonguay.com