Eastburg Band History

East Stroudsburg Band History

In 1934, Clement Wiedinmyer started the East Stroudsburg band program with a flute player, three violinists, and a drummer.

He went from door-to-door to raise money to purchase new instruments and uniforms. The first concert was at the J.M. Hill School; the big number was the trio of “Our Director.”

In 1940, the Concert Band won both the county and district contests, and then went on to the State Finals in Norristown.

In 1941, the band placed first in the state finals. Until those contests ended in 1957, the band placed first or second in every contest they entered. Band students also started participating in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s (PMEA) Band Festivals, starting a tradition of strong success that has lasted for many years.

Hired as the assistant band director in 1956, Robert Zellner took over the high school band in 1960 and Mr. Wiedinmyer worked in the elementary grades. The Marching Band traveled the World’s Fair in New York, the Virginia Beach Band Festival, the Governor’s Inauguration Parade in Harrisburg, and the Lions Convention in Atlantic City.

In 1968, Mr. Wiedinmyer retired and Mr. Zellner accepted a position on the faculty of Gettysburg College.

That same year, John Casagrande was hired as the new Director of Bands; Paul Hubbell was the elementary band director.

The Wind Ensemble was created, performing at the PMEA State Conference in Lancaster and in Philadelphia, and the Eastern Band Conductors Conference at the University of Maryland.

The Marching Show Band started making appearances at a professional football game in 1972. And in 1976, the band flew to Florida and marched in the King Orange Jamboree Parade on New Year’s Eve in Miami.

In 1973, Gordon Fung joined the Instrumental Music Department as Assistant Band Director, conducting the Junior High Band and assisting Casagrande with the Marching Show Band and the Concert Band. In 1978, Casagrande moved to take a job in Fairfax, VA and James Bedison was the Director of Bands for the next two years.

In 1980, Gordon Fung was appointed Director of Bands at High School. Under his direction, the Concert Band performed at PMEA Conferences in Philadelphia in 1987 and Hershey in 1989, as well as received many Superior ratings on the highest level music at PMEA Adjudication Festivals. The Marching Show Band continued to appear at professional football games, as well as the Canadian National Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Niagara Wine and Grape Festival Grand Parade.

Also in 1980, Patrick Dorian was hired to work with the Junior High Band and Jazz Ensembles. The Jazz Ensemble was the featured performer at the 1982 PMEA Conference in Philadelphia. Other jazz performances include the Mansfield State College Jazz Festival, the Berkley College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston, and the N.Y.U. Jazz Festival.

As the district grew, more teachers were hired to help with the elementary band program: 1982, Robert Fetterman in 1982 and Melodie Shamp in 1988. Pat Dorian went to teach in another school district in 1989 and Kimberly (Sisson) Conklin was named Junior High Band Director. The Junior High was relocated to the new J.T. Lambert Intermediate School in 1992.

In 1993, James Martini was appointed Director of Bands at East Stroudsburg High School and Mr. Fung became the third elementary band director. Mr. Martini took the Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform at the 1997 PMEA Conference in Monroeville. The Marching Show Band performances included Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Virginia (1995), the Heritage Music Festival in Boston (1996), and performed in the World Showcase Parade at Epcot Center, Orlando, Florida (1998).

1994, the 60th Annual Spring Concert featured the first Alumni Band with guest conductors Robert Zellner, John Casagrande, Gordon Fung, and Maurice Taylor.

In the early 2000's, another East Stroudsburg High School North opens, and the building known as East Stroudsburg High School adds the word “South.” Jim Martini moves to Central York and Kyle Glaser was appointed HS-South Director of Bands. Mr. Glaser directed the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at two PMEA Conferences; the 2002 conference in Philadelphia and in 2005 in Hershey.

After multiple years of renovations, the High School-South remodel was finished in the music wing in 2008 and the band moved into its new home. In 2010, Katye Clogg was appointed HS-South Director of Bands.

In 2012, Kathy Joffe, the last band/music secretary, moved to Florida for her husband’s new job. The secretary position has not since been filled.

Current East Stroudsburg Instrumental Department Personnel:

Paul M. Bakner -East Stroudsburg Area HS–North & ESASD Instrumental Music Department Chair

Katye N. Clogg -East Stroudsburg Area HS–South

Justin Del Vecchio -J.T. Lambert Seventh and Eighth Grade

Matthew J. Flicker -Lehman Intermediate

Rose A. Perkins -Bushkill Elementary, J.M. Hill Elementary, Resica Elementary

Melodie A. Shamp -East Stroudsburg Elementary, Middle Smithfield Elementary, Smithfield Elementary

Matthew R. Whitney -J.T. Lambert Sixth Grade, J.M. Hill Elementary