Jersey Surf Announces 2013 Brass Instructional Team

Tim “Shorty” Bartholomew began his drum corps career as a soprano player for the Wind Gap Blue Eagles in 1977. He went on to become a soprano soloist in the Garfield Cadets , aging out in 1982. He began his teaching career as a soprano tech for the Cadets and would teach the brass section through the historic “Threepeat” championships of 1983-85. Following stints teaching both the Troopers and Star of Indiana from 1986-89, Shorty returned to the Cadets as brass caption head in 1990, leading them to yet another world championship. He finished the first leg of his drum corps career in 1992-93 while guiding the Crossmen brass section.

In the fall of 1994 Shorty joined the Jersey Surf instructional team, initially as brass caption head, but would later assume a number of different positions over the years including Program coordinator and Director of Education. He returned to his first, best love and once again assumed duties of Brass Caption Manager in the fall of 2010 and will continue in that capactiy in 2013.

Shorty also served as The DCI Division II/III Representative to the Judges/Instructors Task Force from 1999-2009. In his real life, “Mr B” teaches 8th and 9th grade English and Journalism at Stroudsburg Junior High School in Pennsylvania.

Steve Wands is entering his thirteenth year on Jersey Surf brass staff. Steve holds a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and a Masters in Instructional Technology from Western Connecticut State University. Steve currently teaches band, music theory and digital video production at Mahopac High School in New York. In addition to being Mahopacs marching band director, he has worked with many band programs in the NY/NJ area including Brewster HS (NY), New Providence HS (NJ), Hicksville HS (NY), South Brunswick HS (NJ), and North Brunswick Twp HS (NJ).

Steve played baritone in the Crossmen in 1990 and 1992. After a brief stint teaching the Crossmen in 1996, Steve started his journey with the Surf in the 1998 season. He was the brass caption head from 2002 till 2007. After a three year hiatus, Steve returned to the team for the 2011 season and has not looked back!

Harrison Horowitz received his Masters Degree in Music Education and his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA. While at the University of the Arts, he performed regularly with the University of the Arts Big Bands, Brass Ensembles, and Jazz Combos. As a freelance trombonist, Harrison has performed in many salsa bands, jazz bands, musical theatre orchestras, and brass choirs throughout the Tri-State area.

Harrison’s drum corps experience includes playing lead baritone for 4 years with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps of Camden County, NJ and 2 years with the Blues Devil Drum and Bugle Corps of Concord, CA. He is now entering his 6th season as a Brass Instructor for the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps.

Returning for his second season on the Surf brass education team is Pedro Paz. Pedro hails from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but his American roots lie in Atlanta, GA. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Music Education. During his tenure at Auburn, Pedro performed with all of the top ensembles on campus including the Auburn Premier Brass Quintet, the Auburn Symphonic Band, and the Auburn Orchestra among others. He was given several playing accolades including a faculty appointment to represent Auburn University in the Alma Dark Howard Competition. He was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Service Fraternity and served as the vice president of Auburn’s chapter of the National Band Association. From Auburn, he went to the University of Maryland where he completed his Master’s degree in French Horn Performance in May of 2012. At Maryland, Pedro played principal horn in all of the top ensembles including the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra and the UM Wind Orchestra. He, also, assisted in instructing the University of Maryland Athletic Bands which he continues to do after graduation. Pedro currently works as the band director at Kenmoor Middle School. He spends his summers traveling with the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass music instructor.

Mitchell Reed is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. He studied trumpet under Yamaha Performing Artist Rex Richardson and Richmond Symphony members Mary Bowden and Brian Strawley. Mitchell has performed with music ensembles throughout the United States and overseas. Notable performances include Carnegie Hall in New York City, Beijing, China for the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and the Virginia Music Educators Association Annual Conference.

Mitchell was a member of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps in 2005 and 2006. In 2009, he was a member of the Holy Name Cadets trumpet section. Mitchell has been a member of the World Class Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps Brass Staff for two years (’11/’12).

Mitchell works regularly with the 2011 National Champion, Virginia Commonwealth University Pep Band. The VCU Pep Band recently competed in, and won the NCAA Battle of the Bands at the 2011 NCAA Final Four in Houston, TX. Mitchell has been involved in teaching high school marching bands since 2006, helping achieve multiple Virginia Honor Band Awards. Currently, Mitchell resides in West Point, Virginia where he is the Director of Bands at West Point High School and West Point Middle School. Under Mitchell’s direction, the West Point Marching Band received it’s first ever “Superior” rating at the Virginia State Marching Assessment.

New to the Surf educational team this year is tuba instructor Neal Chiprean. Neal holds his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Slippery Rock University in western Pennsylvania. While in college, he performed as principal tubist in a number of ensembles, including orchestra, marching pride, wind ensemble, brass band, tuba/euphonium ensemble, and tuba quartet. During that time, he also performed as a soloist in numerous master classes with famed artists such as Patrick Sheridan, Lauren Veronie, and Ryan McGeorge, as well as in 2010 at the Western PASSHE Low Brass Consortium. In 2011, Neal performed as bass trombonist with the SRU Jazz Ensemble at the PMEA convention in Hershey, PA, as well as with guest artist Wayne Bergeron. That spring, Neal was asked to perform on tuba in a jazz nonet with members of the SRU music faculty as they put on a live recreation of Miles Davis’s “Birth of the Cool”.

Neal has worked with several western PA schools as an arranger, drill designer, and instructor, including Slippery Rock High School, Quaker Valley High School, Karns City High School, Moniteau High School, and Deer Lakes High School. Currently, Neal serves as the director of bands at Columbiana High School in Columbiana, Ohio, where he teaches all bands, grades 5-12, high school choir, and music appreciation.

Neal’s passion for music and drum corps was likely inspired through his father, Bob, a 17-year drum corps veteran and music educator. In 2007, Neal marched with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps as a member of the contra line. After several injuries the following years, he was gratefully able to return to the Bluecoats in 2010, aging-out as assistant conductor. Neal is excited to be serving his first year on staff with the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps.