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Jim
McIlvain (Trumpet) attended The Juilliard Pre-College studying with Mel
Broiles of the
Metropolitan Opera. During his time at the Indiana School of Music, he
studied with Louis Davidson of the Cleveland Orchestra and completed a
Bachelor of Music Degree. Jim is the Principal Trumpet with the Orchestra
of St. Peter by the Sea, and has played the "Call to the Post" at
the Meadowlands, Philadelphia and Garden State Race Tracks. He has also
performed for King Hussein, at his Royal Palace in Morocco, for the 12th
birthday of his granddaughter. During the day, Jim works as a manager of
Information Systems for Prudential Financial and is the group's Webmaster. |
| John Luckenbill (Trumpet) grew up in Little Silver, NJ and was a member of the All Eastern Band. He traveled to the Rose Bowl Parade as a member of the prestigious Mac Donald's All American Band. John studied tuba at Michigan State University and holds a Bachelor of Music Education. John is the substitute bugler at Monmouth Race Track Oceanport, NJ and is the contractor of the Metro Lyric Opera and the
Orchestra of St. Peter by the
Sea. In the summers, John conducts the Asbury Park Concert Band and the John Luckenbill Concert Band. He was selected by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as a Master Teacher and his articles have been published in the National Music Educator Magazine. John currently lives in Shrewsbury, NJ and is a music teacher in the Long Branch Public Schools |
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Steve
Christen (Horn) a native Jersey
City, NJ started playing professionally at the age of thirteen as a
club-date trumpeter. Steve entered Montclair State College as a
trumpet major and soon switched his major to the French Horn. After
receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, Steve taught in
Memorial High School and became a member of the New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra. Upon graduation with a degree in performance from the
Manhattan School of Music, Steve accepted a position at Wagner
College, Staten Island. Steve is an active freelancer having performed with
such organizations as the Paper Mill Playhouse and the Staten Island
Symphony, where he is Principal Horn. His solo appearances include:
Hudson Symphony, Richmond County Orchestra (Haydn Concerto #1 in D), Bach
Brandenburg Concerto #1 and Christmas Oratorio, recital and chamber music
appearances. Steve is currently a music instructor in the Newark, NJ
Public Schools. |
| Nick
Martin (Trombone), Mr. Martin began his study
of trombone at the age of 12 in Southern California, taking lessons with
Loren Marstellar. He earned an undergraduate degree in performance from
California State University Long Beach where he studied with Greg
Woll and Jeff Reynolds, Bass Trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
While in CA, Mr. Martin actively freelanced and won auditions with two
prestigious youth orchestras, the Debut Orchestra and the American Youth
Symphony, which toured Italy in 1993. He then moved to Boston, MA where he
earned degrees in performance and education from New England Conservatory,
studying with Norman Bolter, trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Martin is currently an active freelance musician and has performed
with: the Boston Pops, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Henry Street Chamber
Opera, the American Symphony and two seasons with the Spoleto Opera
Orchestra (Italy). Most recently, he earned a diploma in Computer
Programming and Web Development from the Chubb Institute for Technology.
Nick is currently principal trombonist with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the
Sea. |
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Richard
Hensley (Tuba) grew up in Grant
City, a small town in N.W. Missouri. He received a B.A. in Music
Education from Northwest Missouri State University and taught music in
Leon, Iowa for two years. After three years in the Army performing with
the Band of New York, he married a female tuba player, Loretta.
Richard then moved to Kansas City to work on his M.A. at the
University of Missouri at Kansas City. After graduation they moved to New
Jersey and Richard to perform with the National Guard Band, Sea Girt.
Richard is currently the Principal
Tuba with the Orchestra of St. Peter by
the Sea. In addition to his active freelancing career, Richard works as a
letter carrier in Spring Lake. He, his wife and their three children are
currently residents of Belmar, NJ |
| John
K. Gronert (Drums) began his musical
studies in the 4th grade studying with Vinnie Talarico and Art
Magyar. John was the first student to complete a Masters of Music
Education / Dalcroze Eurythmics from the Manhattan School of
Music. He also holds an Elementary Teaching Certificate in Dalcroze
Eurythmics from the Dalcroze Institute in NYC. John has studied with
some impressive teachers: the legendary Jazz drummer, Joe Morello of the
Dave Brubeck Quartet and Sonny Igoe of the Benny Goodman and the
Woody Herman bands. In addition, John has studied percussion with
James Lattimer, Paul Price and James Priess. John has a very active
schedule of private drum students and he performs with a wide
variety of groups including: Jazz Combos, Symphonic Orchestras,
Concert Bands and Theater Pit Orchestras. He has performed with artists
such as: Charlie Rouse, Richard Davis, Sherry Lewis, Jack Six, and The
Jazz Lobster Orchestra. John teaches instrumental music at the Samuel E
Shull School in Perth Amboy, NJ. |
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Email jim_mcilvain@yahoo.com or call
John Luckenbill (732) 530-7817 |
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