Conductor

Andrew Pease is delighted to continue directing the Columbia University Wind Ensemble for his sixth season. Originally from Durham, CT, he began trumpet studies at age 9 and piano at age 12. He graduated cum laude with high honors in music from Dartmouth College in 2001, where he received the Wind Symphony's Senior Symphonic Award and the Richter Grant for Senior Research. He received his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from Columbia University's Teachers College in 2004. He is currently working towards a second Master's Degree in Wind Conducting at Hofstra University with Prof. Peter Boonshaft. His past conducting teachers include Max Culpepper, Melinda O'Neal, and Dino Anagnost, as well as clinics with Glen Adsit, Allan McMurray, Stephen Pratt, and Richard Blatti.

Mr. Pease has been active in a wide array of musical activities, from symphony orchestras to his own rock band. By day he is a music teacher at Lakewood Elementary School in Congers, NY, where he teaches classroom music, elementary band, and chorus to grades k-5. At Dartmouth he was the founding Music Director of Dartmouth Steel, as well as Student Conductor of the Dartmouth College Marching Band during its 2000 season. He currently directs the Columbia Summer Winds, the CUWE's summer outdoor counterpart, a post which he has held for five seasons. Mr. Pease remains active as a brass player, featured recently on both trombone and trumpet. He has recently appeared as guest conductor with New Jersey's Hanover Wind Symphony.

Mr. Pease is also active as an arranger, having most recently arranged Astor Piazzolla's La Muerte del Angel for the CUWE. His other arrangements have included such diverse media as steel band, orchestra, and recorders, and have included styles ranging from Christmas carols to tango to popular movie and video game themes.