WAB is a high-level youth wind ensemble, originally geared to high-school age players; as of 2011 we now offer a second band for younger players, The Minors (to go with our Majors.) I was hired to be their sax clinician in 2006; a year later they hired me to be Business Manager.

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In the next 6 years  I honed my conducting skills, as leader Ray Iniguez handed me Gliere, Mozart, Bernstein, and Holst to cut my teeth on. I also contributed (and conducted) my own arrangements of Andrew Lloyd Webber (JC Superstar Overture) and  Leonard Cohen (Hallelujah), and composed a 4-movement suite for the kids titled ELEMENTS.

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In January 2013 Ray retired after 20 years as co-founder and conductor, and named me his successor.  I marked the occasion of my first concert as Conductor by arranging a favorite piece by my favorite band, TO BE OVER by English prog legends YES. I was honored to have my colleague in miRthkon CAROLYN WALTER play the impossible Steve Howe guitar parts on flute.

 

In the fall of 2013 WAB moves to its new home at Music Works in El Cerrito.  Special thanks to MW's Joanne and Duane Wong.