Director - Dr. Hendley D. Hoge

Dr. Hendley D. Hoge holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Akron, a Master of Music Education from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Education Administration from Westminster College, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Akron.

Dr. Hoge is a member of the National Band Association, Detroit Concert Band Association, Mercer County Historical Society, as well as other professional and arts-related organizations.  In 1977, Dr. Hoge and Sam Shilling began the Mercer Community Band which performs concerts each Friday night in June and July on the Mercer County Courthouse Square.  In 1985, Dr. Hoge was instrumental in raising $30,000, designing and building a permanent bandstand which today serves as the stage for the Mercer Community Band. 

During his thirty-nine years in Pennsylvania, Dr. Hoge has received many awards, including being named by the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce as the 1985 "Outstanding Citizen of the Year."  In 1986, the Mercer Area School District honored him with the "Outstanding Teaching Award" and in 1987, the Mercer Area Jaycees named him as their "Educator of the Year."  While in the doctoral program in Akron in 1988, Dr. Hoge received the William J. Root Award for outstanding work in education and research.  In 1990, the Pomona Grange named him Mercer County's "Citizen of the Year."  In the summer of 1991, the Mercer County Commissioners renamed the Mercer bandstand on the square "The Hendley D. Hoge Bandstand" to pay a living tribute to Dr. Hoge's dedication and commitment to the people of Mercer County.  The Mercer Area Jaycees honored him as "Citizen of the Year" in 1991, and in February 1992, Governor Robert Casey presented Dr. Hoge with a Senator John Heinz Memorial Award for Pennsylvania's "Citizen of the Year."  In 2004, Dr. Hoge was awarded a Community Service Award by the Pennsylvania Music Clubs.

Currently, Dr. Hoge is retired after serving as principal of Mercer High School from 1993 to 2011. He previously served as Director of Bands and assistant principal at Mercer Jr.-Sr. High School.  Before his appointment in Mercer, Dr. Hoge taught in the Akron Public Schools, was the assistant band director at the University of Akron, the graduate assistant to the Director of Bands at Pennsylvania State University, and served as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Grove City College.

Dr. Hoge resides in Mercer with his wife Dawn and five children, Tyler, Jessica, Rachael, Adam, and Matthew.

Doug graduated from Youngstown State University in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He has studied saxophone with recording artists James Umble, Kent Englehardt, and Joshua Redman. Doug has also performed with many artists including The Manhattan Transfer, The Temptations, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, The Mamas and the Papas, Wayne Newton, Marie Osmond, and jazz artists Conrad Herwig, Kenny Burrell and Maynard Ferguson. He has also performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

His album credits include the Downbeat Magazine award-winning “Biddle-De-Bop” by the YSU Jazz Ensemble, “Standard Fare” by Brass Taxi, and “The Way You Move Me” by Christian artist, Jordan Biel. Doug also serves as a guest clinician and soloist throughout the Western PA region and performs regularly with his jazz groups, The Doug Butchy Big Band and the Doug Butchy Trio.

He is currently the Director of Bands at Shenango Jr. – Sr. High School in New Castle, PA where he serves as director of the Symphonic Band, marching band, jazz ensemble, and pep band.   From 2004-2010, he served as the Director of Bands in the Sharon City School District.  He has also recently served as the President of PMEA District 5. 

In May 2010, Doug was selected as one of 28 educators from around the country to receive a DENny Award in the “Community Choice” category from Discovery Education. Doug is also a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu - International Bandmasters Fraternity,  Free and Accepted Masons Lodge Number 603, Grove City, and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of New Castle, PA. He resides in Sharon, PA with his wife, Heather, and daughters Norah and Amelia.

Lee is a 2001 graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. While a student there, he studied tuba with Mike Formeck and conducting with Lou Colella. 

Lee has been employed by the Ellwood City Area School District in Ellwood City, PA since 2002, serving as Director of Bands.  He currently conducts The Lincoln High School Marching Blue Band, Lincoln Senior High Concert Band, Lincoln Junior High Concert Band, Lincoln High School Jazz Ensemble, Lincoln High School Rock Ensemble, Lincoln High School Pep Band, and Hartman Intermediate 5th & 6th Grade Bands.  In the past, Lee has worked with Dr. Edwin Arnold & Dr. Joseph Pisano at Grove City College, assisting with the Grove City College Wolverine Marching Band, and he has also served as a low brass & percussion advisor for multiple local high schools.

Lee frequently performs in the area for various musicals, concert bands, jazz bands, rock bands, and praise bands.  He is a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and National Association for Music Education and is the PMEA District 5 Advocacy Representative.  

Lee resides in Fredonia with his wife Michelle, son Sullivan, and their dog Mopsy.