Participants of the 2025-26 Concert Series

About:

We are a High School Band Program from Key West, Florida, the southernmost City in the continental United States. We put on over 35 performances a year with 120 students in our Marching Band, Jazz Band, Colorguard, Drumline, and Concert Bands.

Our school’s mascot is the Conch, a local ocean mollusk (snail).

About the Band Director:

Gary Hernandez

Gary Hernandez is in his 22nd year teaching music and 17th year at his alma mater, Key West High School. A three-time graduate of the University of Central Florida, he holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Music, and a master’s in Music Teaching.

Social Media:

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Key West Band

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Key West Band

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Key West Band

About:

Lake Zurich High School (LZHS) is a school of about 1800 students located about 65km from Chicago. There are 100 students who participate in three ensembles with the top orchestra regularly performing major symphony works and performing throughout the Midwest. The LZHS Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform the at Illinois Music Education Conference in 2022. The LZHS Orchestras often participate in commissioning new works including works by Kenji Bunch and Libby Larsen.

In 2023 the LZHS Symphony Orchestra we featured on the radio in Chicago performing at the Purchaser’s Option with Variations, which we will be performing on tour. This the the LZHS Orchestra’s first performance in Europe.

About the Band Director:

Nathan Sackschewsky

Nathan Sackschewsky teaches orchestra at Lake Zurich High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Augustana College and his master’s degree in arts management from Columbia College in Chicago. While at Columbia he interned with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Mr. Sackschewsky is an active clinician and performer in the Chicago area. He currently plays viola with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and the Jan Sobieski String Quartet. Nathan enjoys traveling, skiing, mountain biking, and boating with his wife Robin and daughter Nora.

Social Media:

Website:

Lake Zurich

Instagram:

Lake Zurich

About:

Luminare is the advanced choir from Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, California. Students in this ensemble are expected to perform at a high level, consistently demonstrating both superior vocal technique and excellent musicianship. Luminare performs repertoire ranging from classical to folk to jazz, and is the face of the choir program to the community and beyond.

This is the Mission San Jose High School choir’s second time appearing at the Rome New Year’s Day Parade and the first performance tour under our new director David Belles.

About the Band Director:

David Belles

David Belles is in his 16th year of vocal music education. Educated at California State University, East Bay, and currently pursuing his Masters in Choral Conducting, Mr. Belles’s professional experience includes work with Bullis Charter School, Cantabile Youth Singers, and Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. He enjoys helping young people to discover that anyone who wants to can sing well.

About:

The award-winning MSJ Orchestra recently took 1st place at the 2024 Lincoln Tournament of Champions and earned a unanimous superior rating at the 2025 NCBA Large Group Festival.

This is Mission’s second time appearing at the Rome New Year’s Day Parade and the first performance tour under our new director Bryce Beckel.

About the Band Director:

Bryce Beckel

Bryce Beckel is a proud graduate of Sonoma State University where he earned his Bachelors in Music Education. Prior to Mission San Jose HS, Bryce worked as Director of Bands at Russel Middle School in Milpitas. In his free time, Bryce enjoys playing with his dog Chai.

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H.S.Band

About: 

The Marching Warriors is a volunteer marching band combining winds, percussion, and color guard. The marching band at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois USA strives to offer a unique and excellent musical experience while promoting teamwork, dedication, and school-spirit.

The Marching Warriors perform at all home football games, marching band competitions, parades, and other special events. We like to think of ourselves as providing the soundtrack to the Waubonsie Valley High School community.

About the Band Director:

Chris Dandeles, Mark Duker & James Hairston

Chris Dandeles has been a member of the Waubonsie Valley High School Music Faculty since 2003. Prior to teaching at Waubonsie Valley, he was Director of Bands at Timothy Christian School in Elmhurst, IL. Mr. Dandeles earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.

Mark Duker began his teaching career at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL, where he taught from 1993-1997. Mark started the band programs at Still Middle School in 1999 as well as Scullen Middle School in 2001. After 10 years at Scullen, Mr. Duker moved to Neuqua Valley High School in 2011 and then in 2013 joined the faculty of Waubonsie Valley High School where he now serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair and conducts the Wind Ensemble.

​Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mr. Hairston earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, he performed as a member of the Texas Saxophone Ensembl

Social Media:

Website:

wvhsmusic.org

Facebook:

Waubonsie Valley Band

Instagram:

@waubonsieband

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@wvhsmusic