Cleveland Clinic Concert Band Names New Conductor

[Jim O'Bryan]

Martin Witczak brings performance expertise to America’s only hospital-based concert band

Monday, August 31, 2015, CLEVELAND, Ohio --The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band is pleased to announce that Martin Witczak has joined the classical wind ensemble as its new conductor and music director. Witczak replaces Roy Hawthorne, who lead the band for eight years and is retiring to Florida.

The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band, made up of Cleveland Clinic employees and volunteers, is America’s only hospital-based concert band. Now in its 14th year, the 35-member ensemble carries on a musical legacy that dates nearly to the founding of Cleveland Clinic in 1921. It performs regularly at anniversary events, farmers markets, retirement homes and festivals.

Witczak received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Case Western Reserve University and has enjoyed a 15-year career as a music educator in Northeast Ohio, where he has directed concert bands, jazz bands, marching bands and chamber ensembles. In addition, he has served as an associate conductor of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and the 555th Air Force Band, of which he was a member.

He is also an avid performer and regularly appears around the area as an accompanist, jazz pianist, and low brass player. He has performed with multiple ensembles, including the Dan Zola Jazz Orchestra, the Swingtime Big Band, the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lakeland Civic Band, and the Cleveland Winds. He also currently performs with the 531st Air Force Band in Fort Worth, Texas, where he plays keyboards and euphonium.

Patricia Lawrence has also accepted appointment as associate conductor and librarian of the Cleveland Clinic Concert Band. She is a member of the band's trumpet section. She also plays in the Hillcrest Concert Band.

For more information on the Cleveland Clinic Concert Band, and for a performance schedule, go to http://www.clevelandclinic.org/concertband/

[Brian Essi]

I guess the will be singing and playing the blues in tune.