READ WHAT A BAND DIRECTOR HAD TO SAY ABOUT BIRCH CREEK

"I recently returned home from the two most gratifying and intense weeks of my life. Spending fourteen days learning the art of jazz from some of my idols in the business was an amazing and educating experience. I came away from Birch Creek not only a better player but a much more enriched young soul who seeks to proliferate one of America's greatest art forms."

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
2008 Faculty is listed below and subject to change.

Jeffrey Campbell (Program Director; Academy Band Director; Bass), Rochester, NY. Dr. Campbell is professor at the Eastman School of Music. He performs with the Rochester Philharmonic and with jazz pianist Marian McPartland.

James Warrick (Lab Band Director), Winnetka, IL. Mr. Warrick is the director of jazz studies at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL. New Trier High School recently recieved the 2007 GRAMMY Signature School Award recognizing them for having the most outstanding high school music program in the country. His groups have received 39 DOWNBEAT magazine awards, toured China and Europe, performed several times at Midwest International Band Clinics, IAJE conventions, MENC state and national conventions, and recorded 33 CDs. He will be returning this summer for his 22 year of directing the Lab Band at Birch Creek.

James A. Stombres (Studio Band Director), St. Charles, IL. Mr. Stombres is band director at St. Charles North High School. He has been guest director at many state festivals, and has taught at the University of Illinois summer youth music camp.

Mark Dahl Advanced Combo Director (Ambassadors), Brookfield, IL. Mr. Dahl is band director at Lyons Township High School (IL), and is an active performer in the Chicago area.

Anton Denner (Alto Saxophone), Montclair, NJ. Born in New York City, Mr. Denner began freelancing in NYC after early studies with Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano. He has worked with or played alongside with many of the great musicians in jazz, including as Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Clifford Jordan, Mel Lewis, Al Foster, Bill Carrothers, Terell Stafford, Dave Stryker, and Bill Stewart. As an educator, he has served on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, and has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University since 1999.

Mike Lee (Tenor Saxophone), Montclair, NJ. Mr. Lee has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney and many others. He also tours extensively under his own name.

Joey Tartell (Trumpet / on leave of absence, touring with the Canadian Brass), Bloomington, IN. Mr. Tartell recently joined the faculty of the Indiana University School of Music. He is also a freelance trumpeter and has played with the bands of Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Glenn Miller.

Lennie Foy (Trumpet), Greencastle, IN. Mr. Foy is Professor of Trumpet at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN. As a freelance musician he has performed with Joe Williams, Oscar Peterson, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, James Moody, and Roland Hanna. Currently he records and tours as a member of the internationally acclaimed Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

Audrey Morrison (Trombone), Chicago, IL. Ms. Morrison teaches at Wheaton College, North Park College and Columbia College. She performs with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Tom Garling (Trombone), Chicago, IL. Mr. Garling teaches at Columbia College. He has performed with Randy Brecker, Buster Williams, Victor Lewis and Dave Taylor.

Michael Stryker (Piano), Macomb, IL. Mr. Stryker is Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano in the School of Music at Western Illinois University. He is currently a member of the Dale Hopper Faculty Jazz Sextet. Mr. Stryker's doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music are currently in progress. He has performed with Freddie Hubbard, Jim Snidero, Robin Eubanks, James Moody, John Fedchock, Kim Richmond, Clay Jenkins, Gary Foster, Bob Mintzer and Joshua Breakstone.

Bob Chmel (Drum Set), Las Vegas, NV. Mr. Chmel currently performs with Frank Sinatra Jr., the Jimmy Dorsey Band, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Top