Southern Tier Brass

"The STBQ stands as a shining example of excellence "right in our own back yard". This group performs as well as one might expect to hear from the 'big-name' Brass Quintets, college faculty groups, U.S. Armed Service ensembles, or even the best pre-recorded CDs.  They know exactly what it takes to entertain, impress, inspire and educate music students. Everyone in our auditorium - teachers included - came away inspired and impressed. The Southern Tier Brass Quintet gave something to our students that was valuable and memorable. I can't speak highly enough about this outstanding group, and I'll happily add my name to any list of supporters. A wonderful group!"

Mr. Robin Linaberry,

Director of Bands (retired)

Maine-Endwell High School

Meet the Band!

Christopher Weber, Trumpet

Christopher is a retired public school instrumental music teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience.  He worked as an instrumental music instructor for the Union Endicott Schools from 1979 to 2009.  Since retirement Chris founded and directed the Endicott Community Band.  He is active as a professional trumpet player throughout New York State.  Chris regularly performs with a variety of musical organizations including PRISM, Jazz Exchange, the Sammy Kaye and Guy Lombardo orchestras as well as the Southern Tier Brass.  He is a New York State School Music Association Judge for brass, Jazz and Major Organizations.  Chris lives in Owego, NY with his wife Martha.  

Jud Spena, Trumpet

Jud is a retired teacher serving 32 years, the last 24 years as Music Department Chair and director of Fifth and Sixth Grade Bands at the Chenango Valley Central Schools near Binghamton, NY.  He currently plays in the  Binghamton Philharmonic and Tri Cities Opera Orchestras and serves on various committees for the orchestra and the musicians.  He has also served an adjunct for Mansfield University of Pennsylvania supervising student teachers. Jud grew up in Watkins Glen and attributes his early musical inspiration to the band program and the drum and bugle corps active there from the 1960s to the 1980s.  He attended SUNY Brockport and holds degrees from Mansfield, PA State College, Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland.  Jud is author of the newly published 2nd edition of  “Echoes in the Valley,” a history of  Watkins Glen’s Squires and Schuyler County’s drum and bugle corps activity from 1930 to 1982 (https://a.co/d/6XwVJrf) .  Jud and wife Rebecca (Binghamton Philharmonic cellist) live just outside of Binghamton in the Town of Kirkwood. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Nathan Raboy, Trombone

Nate is a retired music teacher with 34 years of experience in the Maine-Endwell Central School District. At M-E Nate taught middle and high school  orchestra. Nate has performed with the Binghamton Philharmonic and Tri Cities Opera orchestras since 1980.  His other performance experience include orchestras of the BC Pops, Downtown Singers, to name a few as well as the Southern Tier Brass as a charter member.

James Hillman, Tuba

Jim resides in the Town of Chemung, New York with his wife of 44 years Carol Hillman.  Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Mansfield University and a Master of Science Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College. During his 46 years of teaching music Jim was the high school band and chorus director at the Wellsboro Area School District from 1973-1978, the high school chorus director for the Waverly Central School District from 1978-1981, high school band and chorus director at Waverly from 1981-1985 and high school band director at Waverly from 1985-2012. After retiring in 2012, Jim then taught instrumental lessons in the elementary and middle schools for Waverly part time two days a week from 2012-2019. Jim has played tuba with the Tower Brass quintet out of Williamsport. Pa., the Valley Brass Quintet out of the Waverly/Sayre. NY/Pa area and now the Southern Tier Brass. 

Robert Oldroyd, Horn

Rob is a horn player and music educator based in Troy, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Ithaca College, summa cum laude, and was the high school band director of the Dryden Central School District for several years. Additionally, he is the director of music and organist of the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, PA. He currently serves as the president of the Northern Tier Unified Arts Association and conductor of the Troy Town Band, the Endless Mountain Choral Society and the Troy Town Jazz Band. Mr. Oldroyd's original works and arrangements have been performed by public school, college and community bands across the country as well as works for brass and chamber ensembles.