2017 ORCHESTRA HONORS PROJECT

Jeffrey Grogan

Jeffrey Grogan has served as the Education and Community Engagement Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) since 2006 leading NJSO in a variety of concerts each season. His humanistic approach to leadership, coupled with a strong command of skills as a musical communicator, has earned him an impressive reputation with audiences and music programs throughout the country. Grogan also serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Greater Newark Youth Orchestra, the InterSchool Orchestras of New York and the New Jersey Youth Symphony. In addition, Grogan was recently appointed Artistic Director of two El Sistema inspired music programs; the Paterson Music Project in Paterson, New Jersey sponsored by the Wharton Music Center and the NYSO launched C.H.A.M.P.s (Character, Achievement and Music Project) in Newark, New Jersey.

Grogan considers his work with young musicians to be the cornerstone of his career. He has served as adjudicator, conductor, and clinician for several prestigious national festivals including the National Orchestra Cup at Lincoln Center, the Honors Performance Series Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, and Music for All. His work with schools in New York City has been made possible through the Tony Bennett Foundation, “Exploring the Arts.” He has also conducted numerous all-state orchestras throughout the US including his home state of Texas as well as performances with the Little Orchestra Society of New York, and the Reno Philharmonic, among others. Furthermore, he has participated in the prestigious Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview—a showcase appearance with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra—sponsored by the League of American Orchestras.

Grogan graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Music Education where he was named outstanding music alumnus in 2004. Additionally, he holds a Master of Music in Conducting/Horn Performance from the University of Michigan. Prior to moving to the New York Metropolitan Area, Jeffrey Grogan was on faculty at the University of Michigan, Baylor University and Ithaca College where he was Associate Professor and Director of Orchestras. His earliest teaching experience was in the public schools of Desoto Independent School District in Texas. Grogan is extremely grateful to the awe-inspiring teachers he has learned from throughout his life including Charles Gavin, Gary Lewis, H. Robert Reynolds, Gustav Meier, Larry Rachelff, Don Schleicher, Carl St. Clair, and John Whitwell.

Anthony Maiello

Anthony J. Maiello received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Ithaca College in l965 and l967, respectively. He also studied at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Mr. Leonard Slatkin, Musical Director of the National?Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as a Cover Conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Maiello’s many professional credits include clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor of All-State, All-State Sectional, Regional, District, All-County and All-City ensembles, with appearances throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Europe, The Netherlands and The Bahamas. He conducted musical activities for the Gold Medal Ceremonies at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the New York State Music Camp & Institute; has served as New York State Music Association adjudicator; clinician with Yamaha, and clinician for Warner Bros. Publications, President of the International Association of Jazz Educators – New York State Chapter and as Musical Director for Music Festivals International. He is an elected member of The American Bandmasters Association and ASCAP, and holds membership in the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, New York State School Music Association, Virginia Music Educators Association, Virginia Jazz Service Organization, The College Music Society and The American Symphony Orchestra League.

Mr. Maiello’s academic experience includes extensive teaching in the public schools. He served as Professor of Music and Chairman of Performance at the Crane School of Music, Potsdam College of SUNY, Potsdam, New York, where his duties included advanced instrumental conducting, applied clarinet, woodwind and percussion techniques; and conductor of the Crane Wind Ensemble. Under his direction, the ensembles at Crane and George Mason University have commissioned many new works, made numerous recordings and appearances statewide and at regional and national conferences in the United States and Canada. He is the author of CONDUCTING: A HANDS-ON-APPROACH, CONDUCTING NUANCES: LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT, and co-author of the 21st CENTURY BAND METHOD.
Anthony Maiello travels widely presenting clinics, lectures and workshops, and guest conducting and adjudicating numerous music festivals. He was Phi Beta Mu Band Director of the Year for the year 2015, and served as adjudicator / clinician for the ASTA National Orchestra Competition.

He is presently Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Studies at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia where he conducts the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony and teaches several conducting courses. Professor Maiello was awarded the title of “University Professor” by the Board of Visitors, the highest rank given to faculty members at George Mason University. Mr. Maiello has also served as Associate Conductor of The McLean Orchestra, McLean, Virginia, and has been appointed an Honorary Conductor of The United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C. and is presently the conductor of the American Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, and the American Wind Symphony, Washington, D.C.