The St. Louis Wind Symphony

 

 Director Dan Presgrave  

 Next Concert:


June 11, 2008
"Summer Fun"
7:00 pm
1 City Centre Park
St. Peters, Mo
   

Dan Presgrave is the Music Director and Conductor of the St. Louis Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds. Mr. Presgrave graduated from Ohio University (cum laude) with a degree in music theory and came to St. Louis for graduate study at Washington University. After completing four years in the Air Force as solo trumpeter with the Military Airlift Command Band at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Mr. Presgrave was asked to join the music faculty at Washington University. Founder of the St. Louis Wind Symphony, Mr. Presgrave currently teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting courses at Washington University. He is also Music Director/ Conductor of the school’s symphony orchestra and Director of its chamber wind program. Mr. Presgrave is also president of P&P Educational Services, Inc., and is active nationally as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor.

 

  

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Artist-in-Residence
Dr. Jared Spears

  

Assistant Director
Thomas Poshak
 

 

Dr. Jared Spears is Professor of Music Emeritus at Arkansas Status University. He was born in Chicago and received the B.S.E. degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University; the B.M. and M.M. degrees in Percussion and Composition from the Cosmopolitan School of Music; and the D.M. degree in Composition from Northwestern University. His teachers include Blyth Owen, Alan Stout, and Anthony Donata. Post-doctoral studies include the study of music for film and television at MGM, Lorimar, 20th Century Fox, and Evergreen Studios under the guidance of John Cacavas.

Dr. Spears has taught theory, music history, composition, percussion, and band on all educational levels from elementary school through college. His awards include the Faricy Award for Creative Music from Northwestern, the Award of Merit from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Federation of Music Clubs, Outstanding Educators of America, International Who’s Who in Music, Who’s Who in the World of Percussion-U.S.A., Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, Sigma Alpha Iota National Arts Associate, and several ASCAP Awards. During his tenure at Arkansas State Dr. Spears received the University President’s Award for the outstanding faculty member as well as an appointment as a President’s Fellow.

To date Dr. Spears has composed music for radio and television commercials and produced over 250 original published works for band, choir, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. His music has been performed and recorded worldwide and he has conducted band festivals, music camps, and clinics around the world. His music has also been the subject of numerous articles in music journals and texts and he is considered one of the most performed American composers of wind and percussion music. Dr. Spears has appeared at several universities as a guest lecturer.

 

 

  


 


Thomas Poshak received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan. He retired in 2001 after a thirty-year career as a high school band director. Mr. Poshak taught in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in Ladue, MO, and was the Band Director and Music Coordinator for the Kirkwood School District from 1985 until 2001. Under his direction the Ladue Symphonic Band performed at the MMEA convention in 1982 and the Kirkwood Symphonic Band received Honor I ratings at MSHSAA Festivals for 12 consecutive years and Gold Ratings at music festivals in Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville. He has held offices in the Missouri Music Educator's Association, Phi Beta Mu and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator's Association and is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Missouri Bandmaster's Association, and Phi Mu Alpha. In 2001 he received the Music Educator of the Year award from the SLSMEA ADD: and in 2004 received the Hall of Fame Award.   Since retiring Mr. Poshak continues to teach instrumental music part-time in Kirkwood and at Andrews Academy and performs with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra..

 

 

  
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  • Sept 28, 2008
    "New Horizons"
    3:00 pm
    Keating Center
    Kirkwood High School