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DR. RONALD WILLOUGHBY – DIRECTOR: Ron brings a lifetime of musical experience to the podium. Born in suburban Pittsburgh, he began his music studies at the age of nine studying clarinet. He is a product of the award winning Mt. Lebanon school district program where he came under the tutelage of former orchestral violinist and conductor Arthur Yagello. After studying conducting with Yagello and serving as student conductor for three years, Willoughby continued his academic and musical studies at Allegheny College. Like all members of the Tri-County Symphonic Band, Willoughby is not a full time professional musician. His move to the Delaware Valley came in 1980 when he matriculated at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he received his D.O. degree in 1984. He joined the Tri-County Symphonic Band in 1987 as a clarinetist, became Assistant Conductor in 1990 and has been conductor since 1993. Under his careful leadership, the Tri-County Symphonic Band has grown in both numbers and musicianship.
JOE FORZIATI - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Born in Philadelphia, Joe attended Combs College of Music in Germantown, Pa. before transferring to Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) where he graduated in 1977 with a B.A. degree in Music Education. A former student of Michael Guerra, Joe served as a member of the US Army Reserve from 1972 to 1978 where he played saxophone with the 282nd and 307th Army Bands. He joined the Tri-County Symphonic Band along with his wife Patty, a clarinetist, in 1989. He became Assistant Director in 1995. When not performing with Tri-County, he spends much of his free time playing woodwinds for local high school and community theatre productions. He is a member of the Pennsport String Band and has also performed with the John Zee Orchestra, the Mainstage All Star Big Band, and the Bob Ferris Big Band. Joe works full time as a Senior Network Engineer for IBM. |
