Joe Stork - Director/Percussion Arranger Joe's has been engulfed in music all his life as his father, Bill Stork, was an active snare drummer as well as an instructor of many State Championship Bands and as Drum Corps including the Johnsonburg Diplomats and Rochester Crusaders.
Joe first marched in the Rochester Crusaders as a snare drummer in 2005 until 2008. He then spent the next two summers (2009, 2010) with the Hawthorne Caballeros. In 2011, Joe entered the brotherhood of the Madison Scouts where he marched through his age out year of 2012. Joe has four years of indoor marching experience with Onondaga Community College and United Percussion..
Joe graduated from Roberts Wesleyan in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science in Music Education. Joe had the distinct pleasure of serving as Percussion Caption Head and Arranger (as well as Recruiting Coordinator) for the University at Buffalo Thunder of the East Marching Band for three seasons from 2012-2014, (2014). In addition, he served on the staff for Hilton (NY) High School marching band and winter drum line which he helped guide to the 2013 WGI PSA Gold Medal, as well as to 2014 WGI PSO Finalist status.
Joe also serves on the staff of the Dansville White Sabers as Percussion Coordinator, helping lead them to two DCA A Class World Championships in 2013 and 2014 as well as an Open Class Finalist in 2015. He has taken on the role as Battery Arranger for the 2016 season.
In the winter, Joe is an integral member of United Percussion’s Battery Staff serving mainly as a snare technician.
Duane DeWire - Drill Designer Starting at age 12 in 1972, Duane got his start as a flag member of the Harrisburg Westshoremen color guard, from 73-77 & 1980 performed and instructed with one of senior corps best rifle lines: the Hanover Lancers. 1978 became a charter member of State Street Review and 79 marched in the second WGI finals in Madison, Madison Scouts rifle line 78-79-81, and 25 years later, the 2006 Madison Scout Alumni Reunion Project.
Duane DeWire is the current designer for many Pennsylvania Bands including the 2014,13,12,11, 10, 08, 07,06Tournament of Bands, Group IV“Atlantic Coast Champion”, 2012,11, 10, 09, 08, 07, 06 Tournament of Band “Chapter 3 Group IV Champion” , 2014,2013, 2010, 2009, 2008 Cavalcade of Bands “Yankee Class Champion”, Spring-Ford High School “Golden Ram” Marching Band of Royersford PA.
In addition to designing for bands, Duane has designed for the following drum corps: Reading Buccaneers 90,91,96,97,98,99 Kingston Grenadiers 2000, 01, 09 Madison Scouts- Wisconsin 2002 CorpsVets-Atlanta Georgia 2004 Alliance-Atlanta Georgia 06, 07, 08
A Professional Barber by trade, Owner of FIRST CLASS MALE Barber Shop of Selinsgrove, PA. Also a Merchant Processing Consultant for Practical Business Solutions. Duane has also worked as a radio personality for ten years at WKOK - 94KX of Sunbury PA and the Dept. of Revenue for the State of Wisconsin. Duane and his wife Chelsea are the name behind DeWire-DeSign.
David Orser - Winds Arranger
Bio coming soon...
Sean Peterson - Assistant Director
Sean Peterson is a native of Geneseo, NY. In 2010, he earned a Chemistry degree from the University at Buffalo.
Sean has been active in the marching arts from high school through the present day. He has performed with Geneseo High School marching band, the University at Buffalo "Thunder of the East" marching band as well as the Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. He has visual caption experience instructing with the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps from Dansville, NY as well as the Wellsville high school marching band, the Canaseraga high school marching band and the competitive marching bands from the Corning Painted Post School District where in the fall of 2013 he helped bring the Governor's cup for SS2 to Corning, NY.
Marching band is at the core of Sean's life as it was at marching band where he met his wife, Mrs. Jacqui (Best) Peterson.
Sean is excited for the upcoming season the the Corning Painted Post School District Competitive Band!
Jon Calhoun - Artistic Consultant
In the Marching Music activity, Jon is third generation in a family heavily involved in the activity. A graduate of The Norwich Purple Tornado Marching Band ('01-'05) he has been a marching member with the DCA Syracuse Brigadiers Drum & Bugle Corps ('03, 05-08) and the DCI Santa Clara Vanguard (09 & 10).
As an academic, Jon is a graduate of Binghamton University's Graduate School of Education with a BA in History and an MAT in Social Studies Adolescence Education.
Since Aging out from Vanguard, Jon has been a Visual Tech and consultant for groups like The Norwich Marching Band ('09-12), The Pride of Webster Marching Band ('14), the two time DCA A-Class champion White Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps ('13-Present) and even served as a Assistant Tour Director of Vanguard in 2011. Jon is honored and thoroughly excited to be a part of The Corning Painted Post Marching Band as the Program Coordinator for the 2015 Season.
Guy Hallgren - Percussion Instructor
Guy began his marching experience with the Corning West High Viking marching band in 1976. He played snare his first year in and helped the West High Band win their 1st Colonial Day’s victory in 1977 on their 20 year run on this parade.
Guy marched with the Barons of Steuben Drum Corps playing snare from 1976 until his age out in 1982. In 1977 Guy helped the Barons win a Class C State Championship marching snare with them. He played many shows across the country and in Canada. After his age out he began his instructional career with Barons and a Drum & Baton Corps from Addison NY.
Guy began teaching the Corning East High Trojan marching band in 1988 under the Direction of Jim Meckley. He has worked with the Corning programs for 26 years serving in various roles from percussion instructor to Assistant Marching Band Director. When he started with Corning East there were a total of 60 marching members. Within 3 years not only did he help the band grow to 130 performers, he instructed the drum line to a 1st place finish in percussion ensemble at the Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon, West Virginia in 1991. In 1997 Guy helped Corning East achieve their 1st victory over Corning West in the Colonial Days Competition. Guy has produced many quality drumlines over the years. In 2002, Corning East entered into competition in the NYSFBC and helped Corning East achieve its 1st state championship in the NYSFBC in 2013.
In addition to bringing out the best in his students he maintains a professional career as the Director of Municipal Utilities for Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems.
Kira Farley - Color Guard Instructor/ Designer
Kira is really excited to be returning for her 2nd year on staff at the CPP Competition Band. Born into a family heavily involved in the marching arts as the daughter of a Drum Corps and Winterguard Director, and a Colorguard/Winterguard Designer, this is a place she feels right at home!
Kira spent a large part of her childhood at practices, parades and shows for the Barons of Steuben, Savona Marching Band and Royal Blue Winterguard, and also spent time at the Mello Dears learning to play bells. She started spinning a flag from a very young age performing backyard colorguard shows with her sisters. In 1992 she took her performances to live audiences when she started winterguard and drum corps herself. She even spent a couple of years as a guest performer in the Corning East High School pit and colorguard! She has performed in Shades of Blue Winterguard for Savona High School (1992-1994) and the 1996 Mid York Champions and WGI Finalist Royal Blue Winterguard from Campbell-Savona (1995-1998). Kira was a charter member of the Spectrum Drum and Bugle Corps where she marched for 7 years (1992-1997, 99). She spent 2 years (1998 and 2000) in the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps’ colorguard making the sabre line her rookie season. After that she spent a summer (2004) performing in the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum Corps colorguard.
After taking many years off from the activity to raise her family and get her BA in History, Kira returned in 2014 as a member of the CPP Winterguard staff. In the fall of 2015 Kira stepped in to the role of colorguard instructor/designer for the Competition Band Colorguard and Director of the Corning Painted Post Winterguard. Knowing what a positive influence this activity can have on people, her biggest goal is to eventually be able to provide the colorguard experience to as many C-PP students as possible. Donald Allen - Music Consultant
Donny Allen has been involved in music education for over four decades. Mr. Allen is a high school band director in the Corning-Painted Post Area School District. Mr. Allen has many laurels to his credit including many New York State Championships, National and World Championships in high school and college marching bands, and drum corps. Mr. Allen presently continues in his own business of music education, arranging, adjudication and consulting based in New York State. He is a certified teacher in New York State with Bachelor of Arts in Music from State University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Buffalo.
Donny's involvement in music education also includes arranging music and consulting for marching bands in New York State that have been consistent champions in their class. This list includes East Irondequoit High School, Jordan Elbridge High School, Copiague High School, Medina High School, Hicksville High School, Garden City High School, Pioneer High School, and many more nationally. He is an active adjudicator and clinician for the New York State Field Band Conference, Youth Education in the Arts, US Bands, and the Cavalcade of Bands.
Mr. Allen has achieved first place gold medals in every division in Drum Corps Associates with groups he has instructed, performed with, or written music arrangements for. He has won the DCA individual title in trumpet performance three times. He has also been awarded the Best Individual Showmanship trophy at the DCA Championships. Donny was also the music director, caption head and brass arranger with the Empire Statesmen, Rochester Crusaders and Syracuse Brigadiers and a catalyst during the years that those corps were “Open Class” World Champions. Recent involvement includes more world titles with the White Sabers, DCA Class A World Champions in 2013 and 2014, and the Ghost Riders DCA Mini Corps Champions in 2014. His involvement in Drum Corps International also spans over decades as a performer, instructor, arranger, and program coordinator at the World Class level with many corps. He was the Music Director and arranger for over 300 brass players that performed at the Macy’s Parade as the Pride of Drum Corps, and is a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and The Bugler’s Hall of Fame.
Mr. Allen also plays trumpet professionally with numerous bands in many musical venues. He has donated many of his music arrangements to the Field Band Foundation in South Africa to help and promote a healthy alternative to students with many obstacles in life. He has also worked with inner city youth groups in Rochester to promote music as another means of achieving a healthy lifestyle. Donny also performs civic and military functions as a “taps” bugler for Operation Taps and Bugles across America.
Robert G Zazzara - Music Consultant Education SUNY Fredonia 1961 B.S. Music Education, trumpet major ¥ Trumpeter in the original Fredonia Jazz Ensemble - 3 years ¥ Won small band class @ Notre Dame(Indiana) jazz festival, 1960 ¥ Student conductor of the festival chorus - 3 years
1967 M.S. Music Education, voice major, Ithaca College School of Music
Teaching Experience 1961-1992 Public school music educator in Elmira and Elmira Heights, NY •Taught vocal music in elementary, middle and high school, including music theory, general music. Boys’ chorus, girls’ chorus, select mixed choir, music and stage director of many Broadway musicals. 1963 -1992 - sponsored IC vocal student teachers
1992-present Part-time faculty at IC School of Music, Music Education Department
(full-time - 2002-2003) ¥ Courses taught include: o choral conducting o instrumental conducting o conductor, lab band o woodwind class o voice classes for instrumental students o elementary vocal methods ¥ Served as adjudicator for proficiency exams, instrumental & vocal ¥ Supervisor, junior vocal teaching at lab school ¥ Supervisor , junior instrumental teaching, Ithaca area schools ¥ Junior class seminar (with Dr. Beth Peterson) ¥ Supervisor, block teaching, vocal & instrumental
1972-1997 Bristol Hills Music Camp: Vocal Music Director. Professional experience and Community involvement
1954-57 U.S. Army Post Band, Bad Kreuznach, Germany ¥ Trumpeter in concert band and jazz band ¥ Conductor of the band's chorus ¥ Conductor of all male chapel choir
1958 - 2005 Conductor: Elmira Symphony and Choral Society chorus, 7 years Conductor: Mark Twain Barbershop Chorus, 8 years (adult men) Conductor: Junior Barbershoppers, 5 years (school age boys) Conductor and stage director of musicals: Elmira Little Theater,15 years Music arranger and instructor& corps director: Mark Twain Cadet D & B corps, 7 years
2006-present
Annually adjudicate for the NYS Field Band Conference Competitions Annual adjudication of NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble, & Major Organization Competitions and Festivals Annual presentations at SUNY Fredonia, for music students, on the "Adolescent Voice" (Invitation by Dr. Barbara Brinson) Music Advisor and Instructor with area marching bands: Horseheads Blue Raiders, Bath Haverling Marching Band, and Corning Marching Band Rehearsal conductor (volunteer) in Naples, Florida: 3 months annually, rehearse the NHS Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band & Marching Band; 2013, assisted with HS Chorus and HS Orchestra as well Advisor and music staff member of the Dansville "White Sabers" All-Age Drum and Bugle Corps. Annual Adjudicator of Solo and Ensemble DCA (Drum Corps Association), at Fall Championship Competition. Frequent Adjudicator for the Elmira Area "Thursday Morning Musicales" Spring Scholarship Competition . Guest Conductor of many Area All-State Choirs and All County Bands & Choir "Fiesta-Val" Adjudicator for Choirs, Bands, Colorguards and Percussion Ensembles for a dozen years or so.
1963 TO THE PRESENT: Guest Conductor, and Guest Clinician in both Vocal & Instrumental Music, at all levels of Education, circa 200 times.
Awards and Honors NY State ACDA outstanding choral conducting award - 1997 Inducted into the WDCHOF…Class of 2014 (World Drum Corps Hall of Fame)