N.Y. Skyliners Announce 2006 Brass Staff

[NY Skyliners PR]

The New York Skyliners are pleased to announce their 2006 Brass staff:

Dave Negri will be returning to the Skyliners in 2006 as Brass Coordinator. David is going on his 50th year of playing trumpet, and because he has opened his mind and his heart to all music, he has been lucky enough to make a living at playing music during most of those early years of his life, and continues to play professionally to this day. He has been a bandleader for numerous bands, in numerous genres, and has been a sideman for a plethora of musical greats.

David started playing at the age of 8 under the direction of Jimmy Gozzo, the father of the renowned studio/big band “lead” trumpeter, Conrad Gozzo. Students of the Mr. Gozzo’s approach are known for their “fatness” of sound and the ability to use the whole range of the instrument.

David attended The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, and The U. S. Naval School of Music. Along the way, David has been a consultant for Lee Thornburg of Tower of Power fame and currently The Tonight Show, many big bands, marching bands, and drum corps alike.

David began his drum corps journey at the early age of 12, in 1959, with The New Britain Connecticut “Grenadiers”. At 16, he went on to march and solo with The Springfield Marksmen, where he met, and studied under the direction of Dominic DelRay, of Interstatesmen fame. For the last 20-plus years, David has been involved with the Connecticut Alumni Drum Corps. He has also done several tours with The Connecticut Hurricanes.

Always up for a challenge, in 2001 & 2002, David soloed and taught The Skyliners. In the last 20 years he has been leaning more towards teaching. “It’s time to give back the knowledge I’ve acquired through the years, some from such greats as Tommy Martin. It will be quite an honor directly working with Mr. Martin this year. God has blessed me with being able to “draw” the music out of the people, if it’s in there. I just try to be a good “coach”. I demand self-discipline, confidence, and the desire to master the basics, as well as “perform” the music at hand...from myself, as well as the horn players I work with. Patience gives you the power to practice; practice gives you the power that leads you to perfection.

Rich Barrieres will serve as the assistant brass coordinator to Dave Negri. After graduating Whippany Park High School, Rich went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and then a Masters of Music Degree from New Jersey City University. He currently serves as an instrumental music teacher at Jefferson Township Middle School in Oak Ridge, N.J. and is the assistant band director of the Jefferson Township High School marching band.

Steve Wands has been on the brass staff of the Jersey Surf since 1998 and brass caption head since 2002. He has also been on staff with the Crossmen where he marched baritone in 1990 and 1992. He has worked with many programs in the NY/NJ area including New Providence HS (NJ), Hicksville HS (NY), South Brunswick HS (NJ), and North Brunswick Twp HS (NJ). A graduate of West Chester University, Steve currently teaches instrumental music in the Mahopac (NY) School district.

Returning for his 7th season with the N.Y. Skyliners, Bob Fizette is returning as Brass instructor (his 6th year). In previous years Bob was also part of the Visual staff. During his 24-year drum corps career, Bob has marched with the N. Y. Skyliners, Avant Garde, Wind Gap Blue Eagles, Reading Buccaneers, Lehigh Valley Chieftains, and the Sunrisers. In addition to the Skyliners, he has also been on the brass staff of the Volunteers, the Buccaneers, the Lehigh Valley Chieftains, and the Sunrisers. A featured soloist at many corps, including the Skyliners, Bob has also performed with local and community groups.

Doreen Sandor received her B.A., Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in Flushing, New York and currently teaches music at Pine Bush Elementary School. During her 31 year drum corp career, Doreen has been Brass Caption Head (most recently with the Skyliners in 2005), arranger and instructor for corps in numerous Associations including: DCA, DCI, Garden State Association, Nassau Suffolk Association, and DCUK. She has arranged music for and taught Championship Corps and Horn Lines in the States and in England (DCUK.) Primarily a Midrange player, Doreen has also performed as drum major, assistant drum major, and in front line ensembles. Doreen was a member of the Skyliners' 1982 & 1987 World Championship Hornlines. A long time Skyliner (this will be her 17th year with the Skyliners), Doreen has worn many hats at the Skyliners, and looks forward to an exciting 2006 season.

Rick Wygant will arrange the Brass show for the 2006 Skyliners. Rick marched in Fantasia III drum and bugle corps and with the Garfield Cadets, where he aged out. Wygant has taught the Crossmen, consulted for Reading Buccaneers and was the arranger for Westshoremen; he is currently the Brass Arranger/Musical Director for The Jersey Surf. Rick is currently the Band Director for the Stroudsburg Area School District. He also has over 20 years of experience arranging for NJ/NY/PA/MD marching bands.

Go to our website for updated information, directions, and information: http://www.newyorkskyliners.org, or contact Holly Marino, Assistant Director at exiggy1@yahoo.com.

[Fran Haring]

Congrats, Dave..... welcome back to the Skyliners!

Fran

[Sean1]

very nice ^OO^

[Donny Drum Corps]

Dave Negri is a great player and coach. Good Luck to both Dave and the Skyliners.

Donny