The United States Military Academy Band: The USMA Band, the US Army's oldest and active band, and the oldest unit at West Point, traces its roots to before the Revolutionary War. The USMA Concert Band is a direct descendent of the small Band of Musick that had assembled at West Point by 1817. The modest twenty-piece military band of that era has evolved into the 43-member symphonic concert band of today.

Over the years, the Concert Band has earned the reputation of being among the finest of its kind in the world. The band has performed at many of the major facilities in the U.S. , including Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Tanglewood. They have appeared with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra, under the batons of Zubin Mehta, William Steinberg, Leopold Stokowski, and Arturo Toscanini. The band has been seen on numerous network television shows, and was featured in the PBS television special and accompanying compact disk called Songs of the Civil War.

Such world famous composers as Robert Russell Bennet, Darius Milhaud, Morton Gould, Percy Grainger, and Vaclav Nelhybel have dedicated compositions to the USMA Band. The Concert Band has performed many premiers, including the 1979 American staging of Meyerbeer's opera Il Crociato in Egitto and the 1992 Lincoln Center debut of Henry Brant's Hidden Hemisphere 500, both of which featured the band.

Lieutenant Colonel David H. Deitrick assumed leadership of the United States Military Academy Band and the Cadet Glee Club in June of 1994 after having served as the band's deputy commander since January of 1993. Originally from Lima, Ohio, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. He earned his Master of Music degree and his Doctor of Music degree from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Lieutenant Colonel Deitrick joined the Army Field Band in 1972, touring the United States for more than four years. He went on to graduate from the Army Warrant Officer Bandmaster Course as honor graduate in 1977, and was appointed commander of the 19th Army Band, Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1979, Lieutenant Colonel Deitrick received a direct commission and served as Staff Bands Officer, Fifth Army Headquarters, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. From 1981 to 1988, he was the director of the United States Army Herald Trumpets; the United States Army Ceremonial Band ("Pershing's Own"), Washington, D.C.; and founded the Army Brass Band, leading it for seven years. Lieutenant Colonel Deitrick was assigned to Europe from 1988 to 1993, first as the Staff Bands Officer and then as commander of the U.S. Army, Europe, Band and Chorus.

Since joining the Army, Lieutenant Colonel Deitrick has performed in each of the 48 contiguous states and in seven European countries. He has led performances for five U.S. Presidents and for many foreign heads of state. Additionally, he has directed groups for radio, television, national music organizations, and such major events as the Economic Summit in Williamsburg, Virginia; the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles; and the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

Lieutenant Colonel Deitrick?s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal.

Jim Snidero: Originally from the Washington D.C.area, alto saxophonist Jim Snidero arrived in New York in 1981, after attending the University of North Texas, and has since established himself as a distinguished soloist and recording artist. Snidero has recorded over ten CD"s as a leader for various domestic and international labels, featuring some of todays best jazz artists including Tom Harrell, Kenny Kirkland Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller, George Mraz, Billy Hart and many others. The New York Times called his solos "dazzling", and Gary Giddins of the Village Voice called him "a young altoist with a wonderfully aggressive broadsword of a sound, recalling Bird in its sheer jubilance". Zan Stewart gave Snidero's CD San Juan 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine, calling his compositions "a deft mix of edge and compelling melody". Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times said "he plays with the kind of drive and conviction that brings to mind a few legendary altosaxophonists...This is an abundantly talented, criminally under-recognized player at the peak of his powers". Chip Deffaa of the New York Post said of Snidero's Standards Plus CD "Jim Snidero"s lightly soaring alto sax is a pleasure". And finally, Downbeat Magazine simply called Snidero a "master musician".

As a sideman, Snidero has performed and recorded with a number of important groups. His first year in New York was spent with Brother Jack Mcduff, touring the U.S.and recording albums. Since then, he has been a member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, including several recordings [Live at Carnegie Hall and Desert Lady on Columbia records, ect...], the Mingus Big Band, Eddie Palmieri's Latin Jazz Octet, and many others. He was also a member of Frank Sinatra's Orchestra for 4 years, recording Sinatra's Duets 2 (Capitol) records and has also recorded with Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, Walt Weiskopf, Joe Magnarelli,and others.

Snidero has also made major contributions in the jazz education field. He is the author of the innovative Jazz Conception Series, a set of jazz etude books published by Advance Music. Both Downbeat Magazine and Saxophone Journal have "highly recommended" them, Randy Brecker stated "one of the best tools I've seen for practicing jazz vocabulary and phrasing", and Jamey Aebersold said they are "a very valuable addition to our educational literature". Snidero is sponsored by the Selmer Company, endorses Rico Reeds and has given hundreds of jazz improvisation workshops throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan. In addition, he has taught at Jamey Aebersold's summer workshops since 1988 and is an instructor at the New School / Mannes School of Music in New York City.

Christopher Weber has been an instrumental music instructor for Union-Endicott Schools since 1979. Since 1997 Chris has been directing the jazz ensemble program at Broome County Community College as well. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Keene State College, and a Masters degree in Music Education from Ithaca College. He is active as a performer on trumpet throughout New York State. Chris plays trumpet with a variety of musical organizations, including Classy Brass, The Southern Tier Concert Band, The Southern Tier Brass Quintet, The Mason Warrington Orchestra, The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Sammy Kaye Orchestra. Chris is active as a NYSSMA Adjudicator and guest conductor, and is the Instrumental Jazz Editor for the NYSSMA publication the School Music News. He is a former President of the New York State Unit of The International Association Of Jazz Educators. Chris has worked for the Local 380 American Federation of Musicians as the Administrator for The Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds since 1986. Besides teaching music and performing music, Chris enjoys being an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Chris and his wife Martha have made their home in Owego, New York.

Steven Mauk serves as Professor of Music/Saxophone at the Ithaca College School of Music, yet still maintains an active concert schedule. He has performed in such places as London, Japan, New York, Ireland, the Netherlands, Toronto, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and Chicago. In addition, he is a founding member of the Empire Saxophone Quartet, an active chamber ensemble, in which he plays soprano.

Dr. Mauk earned degrees from the University of Tennessee and the University of Michigan, where he studied with Anthony D'Andrea,Larry Teal and Donald Sinta. Prior to his Ithaca College appointment in 1975, he had teaching duties at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.

Numerous composers have dedicated works to him, including Laurence Weiner, Meyer Kupferman, Dana Wilson, Gregory Woodward, David Deason, John Hilliard and Peter Rothbart. Dr. Mauk has recorded nine compact discs for Open Loop Records, and seven other CDs for various other labels. He also is an active artist/clinicianfor The Selmer Company. Mauk's 75 articles have appeared in such journals as the Saxophone Symposium, Saxophone Journal, Music Library Association Notes, and Band Director's Guide. He is author of Saxophone Warm-Ups, A Practical Approach To Playing The Saxophone, Medici Masterworks for Alto Saxophone, Vol. II and Medici Masterworks for Tenor Saxophone, Vol. II.

Mauk has been elected to several honorary and professional music societies, as well as selected for Who's Who In Music and Who's Who In American Music: Classical. He served two terms as President of The North American Saxophone Alliance and one term as Director of Scholarly Publications. He has received two Dana Fellowships (teaching and research) at Ithaca College, as well as a Presidentís Recognition Award. Mauk was the recipient of the 1995-98 National Artist Award from the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Frank Battisti is one of the most respected champions of music for winds in America. He is past president of the College Band Directors National Association, and his articles on the wind ensemble, music education, and wind literature have been published in many national and international journals. Battisti is author of The Twentieth Century American Wind Band/Ensemble and coauthor of the book Score Study. He has conducted many professional, university, and school wind bands/ensembles in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, Russia, Israel, Australia, and Asia. For 30 years he has conducted the NEC Wind Ensemble as well as professional, military, university, and all-state bands at major music conferences. Founder and conductor emeritus of the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble, Battisti also founded the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the National Wind Ensemble Conference. He has commissioned and conducted the premiere performances of more than 50 pieces, including works by Colgrass, Chavez, Persichetti, Bassett, Pinkham, Wilder, Benson, Tippett, Harbison, and Holloway.

Paula Holcomb became Director of Bands at the State University of New York College at Fredonia in Fall 1999 after holding the same position for 20 years at Central College in Pella, Iowa. Under her direction, the Central College bands toured the United States, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. Her Symphonic Wind Ensemble also performed in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

Ms. Holcomb holds a doctorate in instrumental conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied with John P. Paynter. She received bachelor and master of music education degrees from Drake University.

Having served as an adjudicator and guest conductor of bands and orchestras in 37 states, Mexico, England, and Canada, Dr. Holcomb has made presentations at such international conferences as the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Valencia, Spain, the International Society for the Research and Investigation of Wind Music in Hungary, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and the College Band Directors Association. Former assistant principal horn with the Des Moines Symphony and past president of the Iowa Music Educators Association, she was recently elected division president of the College Band Directors National Association.

Gale Bendik Bayen is a band director in the Fairfax county Public Schools, where she currently has one of the largest band/jazz programs in the county. As a clinician for Warner Brothers, she travels the U.S. and gives clinics on such topics as motivation, alternative methods of scheduling, and teaching to the National Standards. Gale is a frequent guest conductor, and an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University, where she lectures to music education undergraduates on first year teaching strategies and supervises student teachers. She is presently working on writing the teachers resource manual for the 21st Century Band Method by Tony Maiello and Jack Bullock.

A native Long Islander, Mrs. Bayen taught elementary, middle and high school in the Farmingdale Public Schools. During her eight years there, she received consistent superior ratings with her bands at festival, was selected as the Fine Arts Mentor for the district to guide new teachers, and adjudicated for NYSSMA.

Mrs. Bayen received her M.S. degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She earned her B.M degree at the Crane School of Music, where she graduated with honors. She has studied conducting and composing with Anthony Maiello, and Dr. Robert Washburn, and studied clarinet with Naomi Drucker, and Dr. Alan Woy.

Louise Schwarz is a native of the Buffalo, NY area and a graduate of Maryvale High School where she was a student of William Weikert. Mrs. Schwarz holds both Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington. Studies at Indiana included conducting and music education with Ray Cramer and Frederick Ebbs and trombone study with Lewis Van Haney. In 1989, Mrs. Schwarz was awarded a summer fellowship grant at Northwestern University where she studied wind conducting with John Paynter and trombone with Frank Crisafulli. She is currently in her seventeenth year as a member of the music education faculty at Bethlehem Central High School. As a part of the high school music staff, she has conducted the Symphonic Band and is currently in her seventh year as Wind Ensemble Director. The Wind Ensemble has received consistent Gold and Gold With Distinction ratings at Level VI in the annual NYSSMA spring evaluation festivals. As a part of the high school band program, Mrs. Schwarz has developed an extensive chamber winds program. Mrs. Schwarz was awarded the Heidi Castleman award for excellence in chamber music teaching from Chamber Music America in 1992. Professional affiliations include the Music Education National Conference, New York State School Music Association, New York State Band Director's Association, International Trombone Association and Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women.

Marni Conte is in her seventh year of teaching music and her second year as the Mill Middle School 5-6 band director in the Williamsville Central School District. Prior to teaching at Mill, Mrs. Conte taught sixth grade band in the Grand Island Central School District. A native of Ohio, Mrs. Conte holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and Masters in Music Education from The State University College at Fredonia. Since in Buffalo, she has been an active member of the Erie County Music Educators Association serving as the Concert Coordinator for the Elementary All-County Band for three years, as well as currently holding the position of New York State Chairperson for the National Band Association. Mrs. Conte has performed on flute and piccolo with the Erie County Wind Ensemble, The Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra, The Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Conte's bands have participated in the NYSSMA rating festival and consistently earned high grades. Mrs. Conte resides in Williamsville with her husband Michael and daughter Nicole.

Melinde Poupore, originally from Clarence, N.Y., received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education in 1979 from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, N.Y. Her Masters degree is also from the Crane School of Music in performance. While at Crane, she was the recipient of the Rocque Dominic Outstanding Clarinetist Award.

She has taught in the Malone Central Schools since 1979. Mrs. Poupore has worked with Elementary through High School age students as well as being Music Coordinator for the district. Her present responsibilities include teaching woodwind lessons grades six through twelve and conducting the Intermediate and Advanced Bands at Malone Middle School.

The Malone Middle School Advanced Band has participated in the NYSSMA Major Organization Festival since 1992, always having received a Gold Award in Level four literature.

Mrs. Poupore is very active in NYSSMA. She has hosted festivals, served as an All-State Chaperone, is a NYSSMA adjudicator and has held the position of All-State Band Chairperson for the past two years. She is also the Vice President of the Franklin County Music Educators Association and an active member of NYSBDA.

Mrs. Poupore continues to perform regularly with a clarinet quartet and the Northern Symphonic Winds in Potsdam. She has been a guest conductor and clinician at various All-County festivals in New York, Washington and Colorado. She resides in Malone with her husband and two daughters.

Ronald A. Sutherland has had a distinguished teaching career in New York State that spanned a total of 35 years. He retired from his position as conductor of the Clarence Wind Ensemble in 1996.

The Clarence Wind Ensemble is considered one of the premier high school performing groups in New York State. This organization has recorded 11 records, 5 tapes and 2 CD's that include over 90 band selections. The ensemble has toured throughout the United States and in Scotland, England and Austria. The Clarence Wind Ensemble has featured many prominent composers and conductors including Vaclav Nelhybel, Karel Husa, Alan Vizzutti, Carl "Doc" Severinsen and Carl St. Clair.

Mr. Sutherland has been extremely active in NYSSMA, and served as its President in 1984-85. Mr. Sutherland is now active as an educational consultant to school districts and colleges throughout the country. His activities include numerous guest conducting appearances, residency appointments and the presentation of motivational leadership workshops.