Lancaster Symphonic Band

The Lancaster High School Symphonic Band was formed by Richard E. Pascucci in the 1970’s as a competitive concert band selected from members of the LHS Marching Band.  Today, the LHS Symphonic Band is the most advanced ensemble of three concert bands at Lancaster High School.   Richard Goss, entering his thirteenth year as director, has built upon the tradition of excellence.  During this time, the Symphonic Band has received numerous Gold and Gold with Distinction awards at NYSSMA Major Organization Festivals.  In 1999, the LHS Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the New York State Band Directors Association Symposium in Syracuse, NY. In 2004, the LHS Symphonic Band performed at the 69th Annual NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester, NY.

The LHS Symphonic Band and the LHS Band Program host a highly regarded guest artist program annually.  Past guest artists and conductors have included Vince DiMartino, Alain Trudel, Jared Spears, Doc Severinsen, John Fullam, Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble, Deana Swoboda, Anthony Miranda, Byron Stripling, Amherst Saxophone Quartet, Sarah McKoin, Russ Mikkelson, Sal Andolina and Ken Grant.  The band has performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2003 National Association of Student Councils’ National Leadership Conference as well as the 1994 New York State School Boards Association Convention in Buffalo, NY. 

Lancaster High School’s band program includes three concert bands, an all-volunteer marching band of 140 and a jazz ensemble as well as several chamber ensembles.  Dan DeAngelis, director of the LHS Wind Symphony and LHS Concert

Band, is an alumnus of the LHS Bands, having performed in the Symphonic Band under both Mr. Pascucci and Mr. Goss.

This 60-member band’s mission statement reads:  “The LHS Symphonic Band aspires to be an ensemble of dedicated musicians who share musical and social interaction while striving for the highest performance level.”

Richard Goss

Richard B. Goss received his Bachelors Degree in music education and Masters Degree in trumpet performance from Arkansas State University. While teaching there, he assisted with both the jazz ensemble and marching band.  Mr. Goss has completed additional studies at Tanglewood in Massachusetts, the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, as well as at the University at Buffalo.  He taught at Holland Central Schools for five years, where his bands received numerous honors, including the selection of the Holland High School Concert Band to perform at the 1993 Eastern Division Conference of M.E.N.C.  Mr. Goss is currently in his thirteenth year at Lancaster High School where he conducts the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Marching Redskins.  His bands have received numerous Gold and Gold with Distinction awards at NYSSMA Major Organization Festivals.  In 1999, The LHS Symphonic Band, under his direction, was invited to perform at the New York State Band Directors Association Symposium in Syracuse, NY.  In 2003, The Lancaster Town Band also performed a concert/clinic at the NYSBDA Symposium. In December, 2004, The LHS Symphonic Band performed by invitation at the 69th Annual NYSSMA Winter Music Conference in Rochester, NY.

Mr. Goss has been music director for the Lancaster Town Band since 1997. He has been Chairman of the Lancaster Central Schools Music Department since 2000.  Under his leadership, Lancaster has been named one of the 'Top 100 Communities in America for Music Education’ by the National School Boards Association and the American Music Center. In 2001, Lancaster High School was named a Grammy Signature School.  Mr. Goss also currently serves as chairman of the Erie County Council of Music Coordinators (ECCMC).

Mr. Goss performs with numerous ensembles including the Niagara Frontier Brass Quintet (NFBQ), Buffalo Swing, and is a past president of the Erie County Wind Ensemble. He has studied trumpet with Richard Jorgensen and David Kuehn, and composition with Jared Spears. He has been a guest conductor and soloist at venues all around Western New York. He resides in Lancaster with his wife Margaret, and three children, Elizabeth, Michael, and Amanda.

Clinic: Intonation – Conquering the “Fear Factor”. 

This clinic will explore ways to make intonation less mysterious to both teacher and student and help students take ownership of the constant process of ensemble tuning.

Equal temperament allows our instruments to be able to play acceptably in all keys, but teaching just intonation allows our students to use their ears to really “lock in”and play in the center of the pitch in a given key.  We will explore ways to prepare our band students’ bodies, fingers, air streams, embouchures and ears to perform at a higher level.