Jonathan Grantham, director of bands at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, California, leads a band program of 330 students involved in five concert ensembles, three jazz bands, a competitive marching band, various chamber ensembles, winter percussion, and two winter guards. In his fifteen years at Amador Valley the band program has grown to more than double in size and has the ensembles have earned consistent superior ratings and high honors. Amador Valley’s top wind ensemble performed at the CBDA state conference three times (2007, 2010, 2018), at the 2013 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and at WASBE in the summer of 2015. Jonathan received his bachelor's degree in music education/trombone performance from Central Michigan University, graduating magna cum laude, and has affiliations with several professional organizations. He earned his master’s degree in conducting at the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. Honors include receiving the Prudential Realty of California's Outstanding Educator's Award and twice earning the Excellence in Education Award from Pleasanton Unified School District (2009, 2016). Mr. Grantham was a recipient of the Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education and was chosen as Pleasanton Unified School District's 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year.

Amador Valley High School Wind Ensemble 1 has a storied tradition of artistic excellence and achievement spanning the past 15 years. We are excited to share our music with you this evening! The ensemble has performed at the state music conference on four separate occasions, most recently in February of 2018. In 2013 the ensemble was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic and in 2015 performed at the World Association of Symphonic Bands & Ensembles. Wind Ensemble 1 has been a part of several commission projects and it's members regularly earn spots in regional, state and national honors ensembles.

Dr. Donald Trott is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford. He conducts the Concert Singers, Men’s Glee and shares conducting duties for the University Chorus. His choirs have performed on several state, regional and national conventions of the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association and the MMEA (Mississippi Music Educators Association). ACDA performances occurred in 1998, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2016. Choirs under his direction have performed in France, Germany, Czech Republic and Austria. As coordinator of the graduate choral conducting program, he teaches choral conducting and choral literature and supervises all graduate conducting recitals. Dr. Trott is a past president of the Southern Division of the ACDA and of the Virginia chapter of ACDA. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree cum laude from Westminster Choir College and both the Master of Music degree in choral conducting and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Oklahoma, under the direction of Dr. Dennis Shrock. Dr. Trott’s work on late eighteenth century performance practice has resulted in several articles and presentations. He is the author of the ACDA monograph titled Nineteenth Century Choral Music – An Annotated Bibliography of Music Suitable for College and University Choirs.

The University of Mississippi Concert Singers is an auditioned ensemble with an established reputation for outstanding choral performance across the United States and in Europe. Under Dr. Trott’s direction, the Singers have made four appearances on American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions, including the 2006 and 2010 Southern Division conventions in Charleston, WV and Memphis respectively, the 2007 National Convention in Miami, and most recently the 2016 Southern Division Convention held in Chattanooga. This choir performs a wide variety of music including newly commissioned works by Ēriks Esenvalds,, Ola Gjeilo, Gordon Ring, and Z. Randall Stroope. Several prominent composers and conductors have worked with the choir including Eric Whitacre who stated “Conducting this chorus is like driving a Ferrari. If you ever get the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. It is quite choice.” A recording with the Concert Singers and other choirs at Ole Miss titled Whitacre Conducts Whitacre featuring works composed and conducted by Mr. Whitacre was released in 2008. In 2009, the choir performed Messiah (Parts II and III) with conductor Dennis Shrock focusing on performance practice of the period. Recent European tours included performances in France, Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria. In 2012, the choir was invited to perform in the White House and had the opportunity to meet and sing for President Barack Obama.

Duane Otani serves as Director of Bands at Rancho Bernardo High School. Mr. Otani earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Fresno. During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Otani served as drum major of the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band. While earning his graduate degree, Mr. Otani was a full ride graduate assistant with the Fresno State Marching Band and co-director of the Fresno State Athletic Bands. He has conducted honor bands throughout the state of California and is active as a clinician and conference presenter. Zachary Christy serves as Director of Orchestras and Associate Band Director at Rancho Bernardo High School. Mr. Christy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and is completing a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. During his undergraduate studies, Mr. Christy performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, a world-renowned marching music ensemble. Both directors are members of local and state music organizations including SCSBOA, CMEA, CBDA, CODA and NAfME. Under their direction, the Rancho Bernardo High School performing ensembles have consistently earned numerous unanimous superior ratings, sweepstakes, and championships awards.

Rancho Bernardo High School was established in 1990 as the third of five comprehensive high schools in the Poway Unified School District. Nestled in the community of Rancho Bernardo in northern San Diego, Rancho Bernardo High School is home to 2,368 students. The instrumental music program is comprised of 300 students. Ensembles offered at RBHS include Wind Ensemble, Concert Band 1, Concert Band 2, Marching Band(The Royal Regiment), Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Winter Guard, Chamber Orchestra, Beginning Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra. The band performing today is comprised of members who elected to participate in this trip. Students in the Rancho Bernardo High School band program begin instrumental music in the fifth grade. The Rancho Bernardo elementary music team includes: Luke Diebolt, Jack Erb, Joanne Lichtenberg, and Tara Nijhowne. Students continue to Rancho Bernardo High School primarily from Bernardo Heights Middle School(Stuart Holmes) and Meadowbrook Middle School(Alex Holland). The band would like to thank principal Dave LeMaster, department administrator Yael Bozzay, and the staff at Rancho Bernardo High School. The band would also like to thank Christine Wojcik, Rancho Bernardo Instrumental Music Booster President and the numerous supportive parent volunteers.