Episode 2 - ACB Executive Committee  
 Releases December 22, 2021

On the show, ACB President Gail Brechting and Keith Kelly discuss their love of community bands with their guests. Gail and Keith are proud members of ACB. In this episode, the hosts Gail Brechting and Keith Kelly are joined by ACB Past President Susan Sands and ACB President Elect Beth Steele.

Hosts

Keith Kelly -Keith, a former Irish military musician and conductor, is a worldwide music creator/thinker. He’s the founder of the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Chair of Bands of Ireland and, due to the COVID19 lockdowns and the need to connect, Keith started The Global Bandroom online community creating opportunities for ensembles and musicians to connect, learn, and perform together across borders. Keith is proud to serve as co-chair of the ACB International Committee. 

Gail Brecting - Gail is President of the Association of Concert Bands and is the conductor and music director of the West Michigan Concert Winds. She has recently been named the Director of the Adult Music Program with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Among her other affiliations are:  National Band Association, College Band Directors Association, an Emeritus member of Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, P.E.O. and the Women Band Directors Association.

Guests

Susan Sands  - Susan is the current Past President of the Association of Concert Bands and is the conductor of the East Winds Symphonic Band in Pittsburgh PA.  Under her direction, East Winds in 2008 was recognized by the John Philip Sousa Foundation with the prestigious Sudler Silver Scroll. East Winds was selected to perform for ACB national conventions in Corning, NY (2008) and Muskegon, MI (2011). East Winds hosted “Three Rivers Rhapsody” the 2016 ACB National Convention in Pittsburgh. In 2004, EWSB established the Three Rivers Community Band Festival to further awareness of community band music in western Pennsylvania, to encourage quality performance, and to encourage collaboration among community band musicians from many different organizations.

Beth Steele - Beth is President Elect  of the Association of Concert Bands.  After receiving her commission in 1988, Beth began her conducting career in the US Army. From the White House to Carnegie Hall, Moscow's Red Square, London's Horse Guards Parade Ground, Arlington National Cemetery, New York City's "Ground Zero" and everything in between, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Beth Steele was honored to lead professional Army musicians in performances and witness first-hand, the tremendous power of music to inspire, reassure, exhilarate, influence and unite people. During her last assignment in Europe, Beth developed enduring partnerships with European musicians and was awarded the German government's highest peacetime award of the "Silver Cross of Honor." Beth currently conducts the Summit Concert Band, the Summit Community Orchestra, the Alpine Orchestra, teaches trumpet, and enjoys biking and hiking with their dog, Mocha.

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