Thomas Poshak received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan. In 2001 he retired 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 Missouri Music Educator’s Association (MMEA) convention in 1982 and the Kirkwood Symphonic Band received Honor I ratings at Missouri State High School Activities Association Festivals for 12 consecutive years, and Gold Ratings at music festivals in Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville.

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He has held offices in MMEA, Phi Beta Mu and the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator’s Association (SLSMEA) and is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Missouri Bandmaster’s Association, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha. In 2001 he received the Music Educator of the Year award from the SLSMEA and in 2004 received their Hall of Fame Award. Mr. Poshak also directs the University City Summer Band.

Dan Presgrave graduated cum laude from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory, and received his Master of Music degree and completed course work for a Ph.D. in conducting and performance practice at Washington University. Mr. Presgrave served for four years as solo trumpet player with the Air Force Band of Mid-America. As an active performer in the St. Louis area, he held the principal trumpet position with Saint Louis Philharmonic Orchestra for nine years, and performed with the Galant Ensemble, the orchestra for Opera Theater of Saint Louis, the Philharmonic Brass Quintet and the Metropolitan Orchestra of Saint Louis.

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In 1972, Mr. Presgrave joined the music faculty of Washington University where, in addition to teaching instrumental conducting, he was the music director/conductor for the Washington University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. In 2010 he was appointed interim Orchestra Director at University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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In addition to his musical activities, Mr. Presgrave is also a pastoral counselor and author of The Value of ME!, a Christian counseling program that can be found at meetpastordan.com. He is also on the teaching staff at Grace Church St. Louis.