Percussionist, composer, and educator Brian Blume has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, and studio percussionist, with ensembles such as the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, BluHill Percussion Duo, Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Indianapolis Colts Drumline. Brian currently serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL), where he oversees the percussion studio, teaches music theory and history, and directs the SEU Fireline. Prior to his appointment at SEU, Brian taught percussion at Center Grove High School (Greenwood, IN), who boasts one of the nation’s premiere high school percussion programs. As a composer, Brian has received numerous commissions and has works published by Tapspace Publications, PercMaster Publications, and drop6 media. Brian earned both Master and Bachelor of Music degrees in percussion performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. For more, visit www.brianblumemusic.com.

John Mackey is a composer currently based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He's also lived in New York, Austin, Los Angeles, and Ohio, but he prefers not to talk about Ohio.

As a frequent collaborator, John has worked with a diverse range of artists, from the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps to choreographer David Parsons, from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company to the US Olympic Synchronized Swim Team. (The team won a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics performing to Mackey's work for clarinet and percussion, "Damn.")

John has served as a Meet-The-Composer/American Symphony Orchestra League Composer In Residence with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony and with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. He has been Composer In Residence at the Vail Valley Music Festival in Vail, Colorado, and in 2005, at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.  He returns to Cabrillo this summer for  performances of his trombone concerto, "Harvest," conducted by Marin Alsop, with trombonist Joseph Alessi of the New York Philharmonic.

John holds degrees from The Juilliard School and The Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with John Corigliano and Donald Erb, respectively.

To entertain himself while procrastinating on commissions, John enjoys photography and road cycling (but not at the same time). You can hear his music and see his photography (mostly of food, and the backs of conductors’ heads) on his website: www.ostimusic.com

Alejandro Guardia, Jr. has been performing, educating, and composing for almost 2 decades now. His musical background started at the age of 11 when he was introduced to the Euphonium. He then expanded his musical limits to the Trombone and Tuba, and is currently an active studio musician in South Florida. Alejandro has studied privately with Calvin Jenkins and Jay Hunsberger along with performing in masterclasses for Brandon Jones, Gail Roberston, Jason Ham, Marc Dickman, and others. He has performed with several bands and orchestras in South Florida and was most recently appointed Principal Euphonium of the Miami Wind Symphony. Alejandro started composing music at the age of 15. Since then, his original works have been performed several times throughout the United States and is now gaining some interest in other countries. As an educator, He has been lucky enough to have both been taught by and taught along with some of the most talented educators in South Florida. This collection of experiences not only allowed him to grow as an educator, but also allowed him to understand the importance of fundamentals and how to motivate and inspire young musicians. This shows in his original music for marching band. Though most of the music will sound difficult and will wow the audience the primary focus of his work is good fundamental playing. This pedagogical approach to both teaching and writing allows for great musicianship in any ensemble whether they be indoors or outdoors. Alejandro is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Miami Killian Senior High School and a member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, National Association for Music Education, American Society of Composers, Arrangers, and Publishers, American Federation of Musicians Local 655, and the Florida Bandmasters Association.

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