Fusion Announces Bernotas As 2012 Brass Arranger

Fusion is pleased to announce our Brass Arranger for the 2012 season, Chris M. Bernotas. Composer, clinician, and teacher Chris M Bernotas brings a fresh perspective to the world of music education. An active composer and arranger of concert band music, Mr. Bernotas is published with Alfred Music Publishing, Daehn Publications, TRN Music Publishing, Northeastern Music Publications and Bandworks Publications. His music has been performed at the Midwest Clinic and has appeared on J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice list and numerous state lists. Mr. Bernotas is co-author of the third book in Alfred’s revolutionary method Sound Innovations series, called Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development, along with Peter Boonshaft. Mr. Bernotas holds a BM from William Paterson University and an MAT from Marygrove College. As an instrumental music teacher at Mountain Lakes High School in New Jersey, he conducts the wind ensemble, concert band, pep band, jazz band, and pit orchestra. Mr. Bernotas was recognized as “Educator of the Year” in 2005 and has been listed several times in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Mr. Bernotas has served the North Jersey Area Band as President, and Symphonic Band conductor. He has also served on the executive board for the New Jersey School Music Association, Region I, and has worked with the NJ All-State Band as a manager. Mr. Bernotas has written and arranged music for many drum corps and marching bands throughout the United States. He also adjudicates for marching band competitions and festivals nationwide.

In addition to accepting commissions, Mr. Bernotas is an active guest conductor and presenter at clinics and conferences. As a pioneer of integrating technology in the classroom, Mr. Bernotas hosts virtual clinics and “classroom trades” with teachers in the US and Canada.
His professional affiliations include MENC, ASCAP, NBA, and NJMEA. Mr. Bernotas resides in New Jersey with his wife Cristina and three children.

More specifically for drum corps, Chris has written for the Caballeros, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Sunrisers, Carolina Gold, Pheonix and Magic of Orlando.