Paul Bryan, Artistic Coordinator and Conductor
Paul Bryan is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music and of Temple University, where he studied trombone with Glenn Dodson and Eric Carlson, respectively. He currently serves as a faculty member at Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music and the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival & Institute in Oneonta, New York. Previously, he served as Director of Bands at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia (1993-2001).
As a performer, Paul has been heard in a variety of groups in the Delaware Valley. He has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Delaware Symphony, the Reading Symphony, Orchestra 2001, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. An avid chamber musician, Paul also performs with The Brass Experience, of which he is a founding member.
Notwithstanding his other significant credits, Paul is most proud of his role as a teacher of music, and of his students' musical accomplishments. In addition to his teaching duties at Temple, Paul has a large private studio. His students have sat first chair in the Pennsylvania All-State Band and Orchestra, the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Band, the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, and many other honor ensembles. Paul's students have gained acceptance to the finest schools including the Eastman School of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the music schools of Northwestern University, Indiana University, Boston University, Catholic University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Michigan. Several have been accepted to and attended the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts.
One of Paul's recent students writes of him: "More than anything, I admire his passion and commitment to music. Paul has always helped me see farther and deeper into the music. He has shown me the infinite possibilities of any given note or phrase, and he is constantly pushing me to take risks and to 'make music' as opposed to just playing it."
Writes another: "It has always been evident how much pride you take in the [St. Joseph's Preparatory School] band. You have never sold us short-song by song, concert by concert, you've let us know how far we've come, but never let us forget how much farther we can still go. There is no limit to how good we can be as long as you are there to guide us with your expertise and encouragement."
Eric Schweingruber, Trumpet Instructor
Eric Schweingruber is currently principal trumpet with the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, having held the same position with the Haddonfield Symphony for six years. He appears frequently with The Philadelphia Orchestra as a substitute and extra musician and has also performed with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Delaware Symphony, Ocean City Pops and many other regional orchestras and brass ensembles. Eric is a graduate of Temple University, where he is currently on the trumpet faculty.
Robert Skoniczin, Trumpet Instructor
Robert Skoniczin is a native of southeastern Pennsylvania. An active freelance musician, Rob performs in a variety of settings and locales. In addition to being a member of The Brass Experience, he has also performed with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware, the Bach Choir (and Festival Orchestra) of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania), the Reading Symphony, Ocean City Pops, the Wilmington String Ensemble, the Gramercy Brass Orchestra, the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, and the Brian Pastor Big Band. Star attractions he has backed include Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Pete Fountain, Collin Raye, Marvin Hamlisch, and Mannheim Steamroller. He has also performed for such dignitaries as Mother Teresa and Chinese President Jiang Zemin during their visits to the United States. Rob holds a B.S. in Music Education from Gettysburg College and an M.A. in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. His teachers have included Vincent Penzarella of the New York Philharmonic and Christopher Tranchitella of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. In 2002, Rob received the Cecil Collins Award from the Manhattan School of Music for Outstanding Brass Performance.
Karen McCommon, Horn Instructor
Karen McCommon is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music, and an active participant in the greater Philadelphia music scene. She is currently principal horn with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, with which she has appeared as soloist. She has also performed with the Boston Brass and the Philadelphia Brass, and has worked with many of the area's other ensembles including, among others, the Philadelphia Singers, OperaDelaware, the Choral Arts Society, and the orchestra of the Prince Theater. In addition to her busy performing schedule, Karen serves on the faculties of Immaculata College, Temple University Music Prep and the Wilmington Music School.
Barry McCommon, Trombone Instructor
Barry McCommon began his professional career while still enrolled at The Curtis Institute of Music, and by graduation was working steadily in a wide range of musical endeavors. He performs in venues ranging from concert halls to jazz clubs, from the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to the Brian Pastor Big Band. Bass trombonist for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, OperaDelaware (Principal/Bass Trombonist), Ocean City Pops and Reading Symphony Orchestra (acting bass trombonist, 2003-05), he has also performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Bach Choir (and Festival Orchestra) of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania), the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the Mann Festival Orchestra, Peter Nero's Philly Pops, the Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra, the Rob Stoneback Big Band, and City Rhythm Orchestra, among other ensembles. An experienced chamber musician, Barry has performed with the Boston Brass, Fairmount Brass Quartet, Network for New Music, Philadelphia Brass, and Philadelphia Orchestra Brass. Barry was the first bass trombonist to ever appear as soloist with the Ocean City Pops and the first-ever soloist with Bravo Brass, with which he has appeared on multiple occasions. Barry's solo/chamber recital credits include appearances at Auburn University, Lehigh University, Moravian College and the Wilmington Music School.
Brian Brown, Tuba Instructor
Brian Brown earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees from The Juilliard School. His major teachers include Paul Krzywicki, Don Harry, Donald Harwood and Vincent Penzarella. He is currently principal tuba of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and The Stamford (CT) Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician, Mr. Brown has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia, among others. He is Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at The College of New Jersey and Instructor of Tuba at Princeton University. Mr. Brown is a member of the Westminster Brass and the Rowan University Faculty Brass Quintet.