Music has been a part of my life since my high school days when I played in the band at Leavenworth High School, under the direction of George Berentz. After graduating, I continued my studies at Kansas State Teachers College where I studied all facets of music education. While in college, I completed extensive course work in conducting, arranging, music theory and music administration, excelling in teaching Brass and Woodwind methods. Before graduating college I was called to serve in the United States Army, serving in the US Army band stationed in Washington DC.
It was in the US Army Band that I gained the practical experience of playing almost daily, performing at military functions in the greater Washington DC area. As a member of the President’s United States Military Band, we played for such venues as Bob Hope’s television specials, parades, Watergate concerts, and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. After returning to the Leavenworth and Kansas City’s metropolitan area, I began playing in local bands and orchestras for the next thirty (30) years or so.
Some of the groups I have played with include:
- St Joseph Missouri Symphony in St. Joseph, Missouri.
- Liberty Symphony in Liberty, Mo. in association with William Jewel College.
- Northland Symphony located in the Parkville area and associated with Park College.
- Leavenworth’s Community Band.
- St. Mary’s Band, associated with St. Mary’s University in Leavenworth.
- Park College Band in Parkville, Mo.
After many years of playing with groups on a part time basis, in 1992 I was finally able to get paid for what I do best by becoming the Band Director of the US Disciplinary Barracks. Here I was able to teach and provide technical instruction on a variety of musical topics.
Currently, I teach at the Tune Shop in Leavenworth, Ks. I continue to play for a number of local groups and the Heart of America Woodwind Quintet.