Past Conductors

Dr. Silvester

1996-2008 Dr. William H. Silvester – Director Emeritus

William H. Silvester has a wide range of experience as a performer, conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and music educator. His background includes many years in the public schools at all levels; and, as a college band director, he has appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Just some of the ensembles he has conducted include the Russian Army Band, The US Army Band, The US Army Field Band, the Marine Band, The Swiss National Youth Band and numerous other professional and college ensembles. Dr. Silvester is a member of the prestigious panel of adjudicators for the World Music Festival in Schladming, Austria, where he adjudicates and clinics ensembles from throughout the world. He is also a member of the American Bandmasters Association.

On an international concert tour Dr. Silvester conducted to standing-room-only audiences throughout England and Wales in such prestigious halls as the Royal Opera House (Trent), the Royal Ballet (York) and Bridgewater Hall (Manchester.) In another similar concert tour, he conducted in sold-out performances at the famed Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria, concert location for the Vienna Philharmonic, and other marvelous venues throughout Austria including Haag, Linz, Bad Ischel, and Salzburg.

Dr. Silvester is a published arranger with over 35 works to his credit. His arrangements of Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs for Boosey & Hawkes have been recorded by The US Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus and many other professional ensembles. His most recent transcription for Boosey & Hawkes (Cotillon) is featured in their Windependence Series and has been included in the GIA series, Teaching Musicianship through Band Performance. Dr. Silvester is also featured as an author in this same series and his transcriptions appear on the University of North Texas’ album of Ralph Vaughan Williams works. Dr. Silvester’s transcriptions of Christmas Carols for Masters Music Publications, Inc., the wind and percussion arm of Kalmus, have been performed and recorded by ensembles throughout the world.

Since 1982, Dr. Silvester was a professor at The College of New Jersey, conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching music education and conducting courses. He has recently retired from his position there, and currently resides in Florida with his wife.

Mr. Balog

2009-2011 Mr. George Balog  

Mr. Balog has taught on the secondary and elementary school levels for 34 years and has been teaching woodwinds at the New Jersey Governor’s School for the past twelve years where he has had a major influence on the direction of musical activities. His expertise in music and education at this level has had a major impact on music education and bands at TCNJ.

Mr. Balog currently the Wind Ensemble Director at The College Of New Jersey. He performed as Principal Clarinetist in The Eastern Wind Symphony since its inception and will be the newly appointed conductor of the ensemble beginning in the 2009-2010 season. He is a consumate performer with The Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra and the Boehme Opera Company. He also performs freelance work throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey.