Director History
Walter Choplick — 2017-present
Mr. Choplick, the tenth director of the Gettysburg High School Band, graduated from Shenandoah Valley High School in 2008. Prior to his appointment at Gettysburg, Mr. Choplick taught for four years at the Shenandoah Valley School District. He received his BS and BA from Lebanon Valley College in 2012, was conferred a Masters of Music in Wind Conducting in 2016 from Messiah College, and is currently on track to receive his Doctor of Education in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement from Concordia University - Wisconsin. Mr. Choplick is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, PMEA, NAfME, and the National Band Association. |
David E. Conklin — 2012-2017
Matthew Alosi — 2003-2012
Mr. Alosi, a native of Shippensburg, is the eighth director of the Gettysburg High School Band. He received his BS in Music Education from West Chester University and has his Master of Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University. Previously, Mr. Alosi taught music in the Ridley and Southeast Delco School Districts where he had assignments teaching general, choral, and instrumental music at the elementary and middle school levels. Mr. Alosi spent a year as Program Director at Educational Programs Network where he coordinated and ran Music in the Parks and Festivals of Music events across the United States. In addition to his duties at Gettysburg, Mr. Alosi had been the drill designer and band consultant for the Shippensburg University Marching Band. Mr. Alosi went on to become the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Pittsburgh. |
Jami Jennings Verderosa — 1993-1998
Mrs. Verderosa graduated from North Hagerstown High School in Maryland. Prior to her appointment at Gettysburg, she was the band director at Fairfield, PA and Catoctin, MD High Schools. She has her BS in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and Master of Music Education from Towson University, along with a Masters in Science and her administrative certification from Western Maryland College. Mrs. Verderosa went on to become and Assistant Principal at Waynesboro High School, then Principal at Fairfield High School. She has returned back to Waynesboro High School as Principal. |
Benjamin L. Jones—1981-1993, 1998-2003
Mr. Jones, a graduate of Chambersburg High School, taught 28 years in the Gettysburg Area School District. After starting at the Junior High, Mr. Jones was the band director at Gettysburg Area High School from 1979 to 1993, at which point he took an assignment teaching elementary band. In 1998, he returned to the high school position which he held until his retirement in the Spring of 2003. Mr. Jones had a BS in Music Education from Susquehanna University, a Master of Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, and his Supervisory and Principal Certificate from Western Maryland College. Prior to his appointment at Gettysburg, Mr. Jones was the band director at Biglerville High School for seven years. Mr. Jones plays tuba with the Gettysburg Brassworks and directs "a Gettysburg Brass Band." |
Roger L. Parsels —1964-1981
Mr. Parsels was born and raised in Ithaca, New York. He is a graduate, both Bachelor and Masters degrees, of Ithaca College. In addition, he earned credits of Sacred Music at Nyack (New York) College. Prior to coming to Gettysburg, he taught at Franklin Academy and Prattsburg Central School in Prattsburg, NY, and in the Lansford, PA School District. In addition to directing the Gettysburg High School Band, Mr. Parsels directs the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church Choir. He is also a wildlife artist. |
Kenneth C. Hays —1961-1964
Born in Chambersburg, PA, Mr. Hays is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College with his graduate degree from Ithaca College. In addition, he had studied at Westminster Choir College, Temple University, and Shippensburg University. Following his three years in the Gettysburg School system, he taught in the Camp Hill School District. In 1967, he was hired in the Cumberland Valley School District and lter was appointed full-time Supervisor of Music, grades K-12. Mr. Hays retired in 1999 after 38 years of working in public education. |
Robert G. Zeigler —1951-1961
Mr. Zeigler was born in York County and graduated from Dallastown High School. Membership in his Sunday School Orchestra and the Yoe Band were his early musical interests. Upon completion of his B.S. degree requirements at West Chester University, he spent three years in the military serving with the engineers in the China-Burma-India Theater. Following this, he completed his Masters degree requirements at Temple University. Prior coming to Gettysburg in 1951, he taught instrumental and vocal music - grades 1-12 - in the New Freedom-Glen Rock School System. He is a former President of the Penna. Bandmasters Association and the Adams County Community Concert Association. |
Edwin S. Longanecker —1931-1951
Mr. Longanecker is a graduate of Shippensburg University and Duke University. He also earned graduate credits at the University of West Virginia and the Ithaca Military Band School. A teacher of Music, English, and History, he began his career at Shady Springs High School in Glen Hedrich, West Virginia. He came to Gettysburg in 1931 to teach English and Instrumental Music. He "retired" in 1951, but continued as an 11th grade English teacher until his retirement in 1970. In addition to his directorship of the Gettysburg High School Band, Mr. Longanecker worked with the Littlestown Citizens Band, The Gettysburg Blue and Gray Band, The Lyric Band of Hanover, and the St. James Church Sunday School Orchestra. |
Professor Harry C. Stenger — founder --1928-1929
Prof. Stenger was born and raised in Mercersburg, PA. After moving to Hanover around 1925, he was prevailed upon to organize a high school band which he did. He had musical organizations in most towns surrounding Hanover and was busy everyday and most nights of the week. He not only had a number of school bands, but youth and adult bands, and the St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Hanover) Sunday School Orchestra. Among the organizations that Stenger organized and/or directed were The Tressler Orphans Home Band at Loysville, The Hanover High School Band, The Hanover P.O.S. of A. Band, The Jefferson Band, The Wayne Band, The East Berlin Band, The Gettysburg Boys Band, and The Gettysburg High School Band.
Prof. Stenger was born and raised in Mercersburg, PA. After moving to Hanover around 1925, he was prevailed upon to organize a high school band which he did. He had musical organizations in most towns surrounding Hanover and was busy everyday and most nights of the week. He not only had a number of school bands, but youth and adult bands, and the St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Hanover) Sunday School Orchestra. Among the organizations that Stenger organized and/or directed were The Tressler Orphans Home Band at Loysville, The Hanover High School Band, The Hanover P.O.S. of A. Band, The Jefferson Band, The Wayne Band, The East Berlin Band, The Gettysburg Boys Band, and The Gettysburg High School Band.