Leslie W. Hicken is one of the most respected band directors in the United States. A member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame, Hicken is president of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, and member of the American Bandmasters Association.
He has served as one of Furman's leading ensemble directors since joining the university in 1993. He directs the wind ensemble, symphonic band and chamber wind ensembles and serves as assistant director to the marching band. In 2012, he led the wind ensemble to the American Bandmasters Association National Convention in Charleston, S.C.
Prior to joining Furman's faculty, Hicken was the director of bands at Youngstown State (Ohio) University and director of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. He also performed as a clarinetist in the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. Earlier in his career, Hicken taught in Durham, N.C. and performed as a clarinetist in the U.S. Military Academy.
Training
Ray Cramer, Robert Klotman and Bernard Portnoy
Indiana University
Leon Russianoff and J. Marion Magill
Columbia University
Stanley Hasty
Eastman School of Music
As a large ensemble director, I want to create for my students an atmosphere where they contribute to the music-making process. We give them the tools to make artistic decisions regarding ensemble and expression so that they are intimately engaged while we re-create the composer's intent.
MUS-061 Marching Bands
MUS-061 Symphonic Band
MUS-061 Wind Ensemble
MUS-432 Instrumental Music Methods
MUS-352 Basic Conducting
MUS-353 Instrumental Conducting
Supervisor of Music Education Interns