MA 30 The Influencers: Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Vice President of Education
Conn-Selmer

Tim Lautenzenheiser, or “Dr. Tim” as his students and colleagues call him, is a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, and adjudicator. His writings and motivational workshops have inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of students and seasoned pros alike to become better music educators. He is a gifted communicator, known to pepper his talks with such inspirational or wry aphorisms as, “The world of academia is famous for pushing knowledge, not wisdom,” or, “Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you get,” or simply, “Create what isn’t.” 

A graduate of Ball State University and the University of Alabama, with an honorary doctorate from VanderCook College of Music, Lautzenheiser directed college bands at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. Following three years as executive director of the Bands of America marching band program, he formed Attitude Concepts for Today, which manages requests for his books, workshops, and seminars on effective leadership training and the importance of a positive attitude. In addition to his own titles, he is a co-author of the Hal Leonard Corporation’s Essential Elements band-method series.

In 1997, Lautzenheiser and some colleagues from VanderCook started the Conn-Selmer Institute, an annual three-and-half-day series of clinics and workshops at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. Originally designed for music majors and first-year teachers, the program has evolved to attract a huge range of experience levels. Said to be a more intimate affair than most conventions, the Institute encourages interactive conversation, networking, and information sharing about the latest developments in the field. There are also excursions to nearby Elkhart, where participants are given tours of some of the last remaining musical instrument factories in America.

In addition to his position with musical instrument manufacturer Conn-Selmer, Lautzenheiser is the Earl Dunn Distinquished Lecturer at Ball State University and the national spokesperson for National Association for Music Education’s “Make a Difference with Music” program.

Students and faculty alike testify that they come out of Dr. Tim’s sessions more energized and motivated than when they entered—and undoubtedly armed with a few choice quips to pass on to the folks at home.

Alecia Lawyer