About Band: Together

building a more compassionate and connected world through a band community of passionate and supportive art creators and learners

Who We Are

Band: Together is a series of intergenerational community band events hosted across the United States and the world that provide a creative learning space where music is not only played but also felt - together. When social emotional learning and music education/performance intersect, both individual and collective transformation and healing are possible. Founders Dr. Amanda Morrison and Dr. Jonathan Helmick are nationally recognized music educators, conductors, performers, and clinicians with extensive experience in performance, pedagogy, and leadership. Their combined expertise and commitment to community engagement form the foundation for this venture; uniting excellence in music education with a passion for fostering creativity and connection.

What We Do

Band: Together is an intergenerational event designed for high school students (rising 9th grade and older) and all adults with ensemble experience that have a desire to make music in a caring and vibrant community. At a Band: Together event, you will gain community through a passionate, engaging, and connective musical experience (collaboration). Band: Together is a two-day event that offers a community band experience, complete with instrument family sectionals, collaborative team building sessions to engage and connect band members, and access to local, national, and international businesses. The event culminates in a band performance that is open to the public.

Who Band: Together is For

Band: Together is designed for musicians with ensemble playing experience, such as high school and collegiate level ensembles. Band: Together is also for music educators, community ensemble musicians, and professional players. Participants may be rising 9th graders and older. While we do require a placement recording for repertoire selection, part assignments, and seating purposes, Band: Together is not an auditioned program. Repertoire is selected to ensure that each event is a positive, successful, musical experience and performance for all participants, and instructors will use submissions to seat or place participants within the ensemble to create the best and most meaningful experience possible for each musician.

Our mission is to cultivate a thriving community of musicians and artists by providing accessible, high-quality, and creative educational and performance opportunities that inspire collaboration, connection, and lifelong engagement in the arts while growing the whole individual.

Explore Upcoming Community Weekends

Meet Our Founders

Amanda Morrison Jonathan Helmick Band: Together

Amanda

Amanda Morrison is a dynamic clarinetist and dedicated educator based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving on the faculty of Slippery Rock University where she teaches Applied Clarinet and directs the Clarinet Choir. She is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and a Rice Clarinet Works Performing Artist.

Morrison has performed and presented at major conferences and contributed to the expansion of contemporary clarinet repertoire. Her chamber affiliations include founding memberships in the Milano Duo, Grant Avenue Clarinet Duo, and the PM Woodwind Project.

She is the Founder and Event Director of Steel City Clarinet Day, a regional festival serving Pennsylvania and the tri-state area, and co-hosts the podcast Hidden Cues, which focuses on the experiences of musicians during pregnancy and early parenthood. Morrison also serves as Co-Chair of the International Clarinet Association’s Youth Involvement Committee.

Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Westmoreland, Tallahassee, and Butler Symphony Orchestras and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. She holds A BM degree from Duquesne University and MM and DM degrees from Florida State University with her teachers including Mark Nuccio, Dr. Deborah Bish, Dr. Frank Kowalsky, and Michael Rusinek.

Amanda Morrison Jonathan Helmick Band: Together

Jonathan

Dr. Jonathan Helmick is Director of Bands at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he conducts the Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band and teaches wind literature and graduate conducting. Since joining the faculty in 2025, he has expanded artistic opportunities through innovative programming, recording projects, and collaborations. During his career in higher education, he has commissioned works by leading composers including Erin Keeton Howard, Mathew Campbell, James David, Roger Zare, Cait Nishimura, and Katahj Copley. Under his leadership, the UTRGV Wind Orchestra has produced reference recordings for Murphy Music Press and performed with distinguished soloists such as Eduardo Nogueroles, Gail Robertson, and Stacy Baker.

Previously, Helmick served as Director of Bands at Slippery Rock University (2014–2025), where his ensembles earned national and international recognition. The SRU Wind Ensemble was named a finalist for The American Prize and performed at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference. Internationally, the SRU “Marching Pride” appeared at the Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival Parade, Limerick International Band Championship - earning Best Overall, Best Adult, and Best International Band - and London’s New Year’s Day Parade.

Helmick remains active as a guest clinician, conductor, and adjudicator across the United States and internationally, including engagements in Argentina, Austria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Sicily, and Switzerland. His honors include the Yamaha “40 Under 40,” quarterfinalist recognition for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, and honorary membership in the Asociación de Directores de Bandas de la República Argentina. He holds degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi and The University of Akron.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

You can reach us at bandtogetherinternational@gmail.com.

We look forward to making music with you!

  • The Band: Together experience is designed for high school students (rising 9th graders and older) and all adults with ensemble experience that want to make music within a passionate and engaging community. 

  • Band: Together is an immersive two-day community band experience designed to bring people together through music, connection, and shared purpose. Throughout the event, participants engage in full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, and community-centered sessions that foster reflection and connection with one another. The experience culminates in a public concert performance. At Band: Together, individuals are encouraged to show up as they are, connect authentically, and create something meaningful—together.

  • We welcome all standard wind ensemble woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments including piccolo, bass clarinet, string bass, and piano.

  • Repertoire is thoughtfully curated to meet the ensemble where it is, ensuring an engaging and accessible experience for all participants. Selections span a variety of styles, historical periods, and voices, highlighting diverse composers while fostering both musical growth and meaningful artistic exploration.

  • Please bring your instrument, printed music, a folding music stand (with your name on it), a pencil, water, and your positive and open self.