The Hackettstown Community Band

OUR MEMBERSHIP and

CONDUCTORS

Conductor, Andrew Lawrence (bio last updated 2011)

Andrew Lawrence has been a member of the Hackettstown Community Band since 2009. Originally from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he studied saxophone and piano before going on to graduate with a degree in Saxophone Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College. While at Ithaca, Andrew was a member of the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band, as well as several saxophone quartets and chamber groups. In 2008, Andrew won the college’s Concerto Competition, and received the opportunity to be the featured soloist with the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing in several saxophone conferences and performance symposiums, he has toured Ireland with the Ithaca Wind Ensemble and studied saxophone in London. Andrew’s saxophone teachers include Dr. Steven Mauk and Kyle Horch, and he has studied conducting principally with Dr. Stephen Peterson, Dr. Beth Peterson, and Dr. Mark Fonder.

He is currently the Instrumental Music Teacher at Brass Castle Elementary School in Washington, NJ, and he continues to hone his conducting and rehearsal technique at various symposiums around the country. In addition to his duties with the Hackettstown Community Band, Andrew is a member of the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band.

Assistant Conductor, Joseph Tamburro (bio last updated 2009)

Joseph Tamburro graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University in 2006 with two Bachelors degrees; one in Bible and one in piano. He studied piano under Dr. Samuel Hsu, clarinet with Mr. Neil Horrocks, and took conducting lessons from Mr. Joseph Caminiti.

He was an active member of music ensembles both in high school and college. In high school, he was in concert band, jazz band, and a section leader in the marching band. While in college, he participated in the symphonic band, hand bell choir, and the Chorale.

Joseph now takes lessons with Dr. Hsu, and is the accompanist at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Mount Hope, NJ. He has been a member of the Hackettstown Community Band since 2008.

Recent Conductor, Ellis Jasenovic (bio last updated 2009)

Ellis Jasenovic has been a member of the Hackettstown Community Band since 2002. He was later encouraged to continue in the band by Art Martin, who was not only the conductor of the band by that time, but a saxophone teacher whom Ellis studied with for five years. While at Warren Hills Reg. H.S., under the direction of Joe Yaremczak, as well as Mr. Martin, Ellis's love of music was nourished, and he went on to Montclair State University to pursue a degree in Music Education.

Before graduating with a B.A. in Music Education, he played in the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, Harry Partch studio, and various jazz combos and sax quartets. He has studied saxophone with Dr. Paul Cohen and Prof. David Bixler and conducting with the orchestral director, Prof. Paul Hostetter and the director of bands, Dr. Mary Ann Craig. At present, he continues to enhance his understanding of conducting and music by participating at conducting symposiums and taking occasional private lessons with Dr. Thomas McCauley, the current director of bands at Montclair State University.

Ellis is currently teaching instrumental music at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson. Aside from conducting for the Hackettstown Community Band, he is a member of the Garden State Saxophone Quartet, LLC, The One-More-Once Big Band and various other groups.

Past Conductor, Kristin Bungert (bio last updated 2007)

Kristin Bungert has been a member of the Hackettstown Community Band since 2002 when she was a student at Warren Hills Regional High School. She graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in Music Education. While at Montclair, Kristin participated in the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Chorale, Orchestra, Jazz Band and numerous chamber ensembles, while continuing her participation in the Hackettstown Community Band, filling in as conductor when needed. She also plays with Bushel o’ Brass, an Eb alto horn ensemble. She has studied clarinet with David Singer, Dennis Smylie, and Hana Kim, and conducting with Paul Hostetter and Dr. MaryAnn Craig.

Past Concert Conductor, Art Martin (bio last updated 2007)

Art taught in the New Jersey public schools for over 35 years. During that time, Art has served on the Board of Directors of New Jersey Music Educators Association and has been active with the International Association for Jazz Education. In 1998, Art received a Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Music Educators Association for his years of dedication to music education.

A member of the National/International Association for Jazz Education since 1974, Art has served as Treasurer and President of the New Jersey Unit, conducted the Region II High School and Jr. High School jazz ensemble, has managed the All State Jazz Ensemble and currently chairs the auditions for the All State Jazz Ensemble. He also was cited at the 27th annual International Association for Jazz Education conference in New Orleans for his accomplishments as editor of the Jersey Jazzer, the New Jersey IAJE newsletter and recognized by the Association for organizing the first Eastern Regional IAJE Conference. Art currently is United States Section Coordinator for the International Association for Jazz Education and oversees the structuring and organization of regional conferences.

He is currently Adjunct Professor of Music at Montclair State University.

As a musical consultant, Art along with Rufus Reid and Philip Thomas, organized the Jazz For Teens Program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, now in its eighth year. Art is currently Program Advisor and teaches jazz history and listening.

Since retiring from the New Jersey Public Schools, Art has become very active as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor. Art has presented clinics at Educational conferences in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania and has adjudicated festivals in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and Delaware. He conducts the Hackettstown Community Band, performs with the Asbury Park Concert Band, freelances in pit orchestras for several school musicals and also teaches sax, and jazz improvisation privately.

Art has performed professionally with Benny Golson, Ron Carter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Don Braden, Valary Ponomorev, Cecil Brooks III, Bruce Williams, Mark Gross, Dion Parsons, Joris Teepe, Earl McIntyre, Mike LeDonne, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Rosanna Vitro, Denis DiBlasio, George Rabbai, The Warren Covington Orchestra, The Pied Pipers, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Little Anthony and The Platters.

Flute/Piccolo
Rebecca Ault
Penny Carson
Theresa D'Andrea
Betsy Fila
Tracy Vivian
Courtney Wright

Clarinet
Sharon Ault
Michelle Breitenbach
Kristin Bungert *
Caitlyn Lemasters
Sharon Richardt *
Keith Wagner*
Joe Yaremczak*

Bass Clarinet
Joseph Tamburro

Bassoon
Brad West

Oboe
Julie Gural

Trumpet
Joe Cotignola
Nick Conarello
James Devine
Jason Graf
John Hylkema
Frank Lutz

Horn
Dana Bassett
Kim Catlett
Emily Curley
Wayne Miller *
Mel Nascimento

Euphonium/Baritone
Nicholas Allin
Dan O`Neill  

Tuba
Thomas Law
James Setzer *

Percussion
John Quitsau

Mallets
Jack Gill *

Bring your instrument and

join us this Thursday for

a warm and personal

musical evening!