Northern California Band & Choir Directors' Association
Thank you to all who helped make the NCBCDA Honor Weekend a success! Please use the link below to access the recordings from our concerts at Humboldt State.
Honor Weekend 2020 Videos
Meet the 2020 Conductors!
CONCERT BAND - Dr. Patrick Reynolds, University of Dayton
Patrick Reynolds is an associate professor of music and coordinator of instrumental activities at the University of Dayton where he conducts the University Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in instrumental conducting.
Under his direction the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs a broad spectrum of great works for wind ensemble and concert band and maintains a high profile on campus. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs in regular regional tours and has been invited to perform at several conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association, as well as at the College Band Directors National Association Divisional Conference. Also under the direction of Dr. Reynolds, the University Orchestra performs a rich variety of works for string orchestra in the fall semester and full symphony orchestra in the spring semester, and collaborates in choral performances on the UD campus. In recent years the University Orchestra has traveled to Puerto Rico, with performances at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, the Escuela Libre de Musica Ernesto Ramos Antonini and the Cathedral San Juan Bautista, and to the eastern U.S., with performances in Philadelphia and New York.
Beyond his duties at the University of Dayton, Dr. Reynolds serves as Associate Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He conducts the DPO in its Magic Carpet, SPARK (School Partners with Artists Reaching Kids) and Young People's Concerts, reaching thousands of students across the Dayton metropolitan area. In addition, he has conducted the DPO in classical, pops, family and rock series concerts. In recent seasons he has conducted Dayton Opera productions of Verdi's La Traviata and Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Mozart's The Magic Flute and Menotti's The Consul.
An active guest conductor, Dr. Reynolds has appeared as conductor of the Modesto (CA), Annapolis (MD), Arlington (VA), Queens (NY), High Mountain (NJ) symphony orchestras, the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder, and the Starling Project at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has conducted numerous honor bands and orchestras, including the Southwest, East Central and Northwest Regional Honors Orchestras of the Ohio Music Education Association, the Sonoma County (CA) Honor Band, and the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Orchestra. He serves as conductor of the Giving Strings Orchestra, a community orchestra devoted to raising funds for charitable organizations in the Miami Valley.
In addition, Dr. Reynolds is in his eighteenth season as conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, an organization selected from the region’s finest high school musicians. Founded in 1937 the DPYO is one of the nation's oldest and most distinguished youth orchestra programs.
Meet the 2020 Conductors!
CONCERT BAND - Dr. Patrick Reynolds, University of Dayton
Patrick Reynolds is an associate professor of music and coordinator of instrumental activities at the University of Dayton where he conducts the University Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in instrumental conducting.
Under his direction the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs a broad spectrum of great works for wind ensemble and concert band and maintains a high profile on campus. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs in regular regional tours and has been invited to perform at several conferences of the Ohio Music Education Association, as well as at the College Band Directors National Association Divisional Conference. Also under the direction of Dr. Reynolds, the University Orchestra performs a rich variety of works for string orchestra in the fall semester and full symphony orchestra in the spring semester, and collaborates in choral performances on the UD campus. In recent years the University Orchestra has traveled to Puerto Rico, with performances at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, the Escuela Libre de Musica Ernesto Ramos Antonini and the Cathedral San Juan Bautista, and to the eastern U.S., with performances in Philadelphia and New York.
Beyond his duties at the University of Dayton, Dr. Reynolds serves as Associate Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. He conducts the DPO in its Magic Carpet, SPARK (School Partners with Artists Reaching Kids) and Young People's Concerts, reaching thousands of students across the Dayton metropolitan area. In addition, he has conducted the DPO in classical, pops, family and rock series concerts. In recent seasons he has conducted Dayton Opera productions of Verdi's La Traviata and Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Mozart's The Magic Flute and Menotti's The Consul.
An active guest conductor, Dr. Reynolds has appeared as conductor of the Modesto (CA), Annapolis (MD), Arlington (VA), Queens (NY), High Mountain (NJ) symphony orchestras, the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder, and the Starling Project at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has conducted numerous honor bands and orchestras, including the Southwest, East Central and Northwest Regional Honors Orchestras of the Ohio Music Education Association, the Sonoma County (CA) Honor Band, and the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Orchestra. He serves as conductor of the Giving Strings Orchestra, a community orchestra devoted to raising funds for charitable organizations in the Miami Valley.
In addition, Dr. Reynolds is in his eighteenth season as conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, an organization selected from the region’s finest high school musicians. Founded in 1937 the DPYO is one of the nation's oldest and most distinguished youth orchestra programs.
CHOIR - Dr. Buddy James, CSU East Bay
Buddy James’ passion for great music, travel, and the creation of interesting and meaningful ventures has led him to his current position of Professor of Music at California State University, East Bay, where he is the Founding Director of the School of Arts and Media and the Director of Vocal Studies.
James’ career can be traced to an early love of music, from the pulsating Rock and Roll of his hometown Cleveland, Ohio to the nostalgic Country and Western music of his parent’s West Virginia. He traded his electric guitar for a baton after discovering the beauty and power of ensemble singing in his High School choir with Frank Bianchi and at the University of Akron while studying with Edward Maclary. The allure of California’s sun led him west to study at the University of California, Irvine with Joseph Huszti, who helped him secure both the prestigious UCI Chancellor’s Fellowship and his first faculty teaching positions at UCI and Whittier College.
Seeking to continue his studies toward a Doctorate, he became a protégé of William Dehning at the University of Southern California where he was challenged and inspired both musically and intellectually by his mentor and the institution. During his time in Los Angeles he also studied with David Wilson, James Vail, and John Barnett, and he conducted the USC University Chorus, restarted a defunct USC Men’s Chorus, and was honored as the Outstanding Doctoral Graduate in the USC Department of Choral and Sacred Music.
Prior to coming to CSUEB he taught at many institutions, most notably at Millersville University of Pennsylvania where he was named “Person of the Year” in 2004. He has served many organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association and Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses, and is one of the founding officers of the National Collegiate Choral Organization.
His move to California and subsequent travels through Europe as a singer and penniless student backpacker shaped his world views on art and human relations, and he has had the privilege of sharing his love for history, art, design, the ocean, and good food with his choirs during tours to Eastern and Western Europe, Mexico and Asia. His personal travels have taken him camel riding in the Gobi Desert, traversing glaciers in Patagonia, summiting the great Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, visiting monasteries in the Himalayas, exploring souks in Dubai, and shopping at Thailand’s night markets. James and his family have been blessed with the opportunity of enjoying extended stays studying culture and music in Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Bangkok, Tokyo, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. Currently he lives in Palo Alto with his wife Aileen and their two beautiful children, Emilia Rose and Lionel.
Buddy James’ passion for great music, travel, and the creation of interesting and meaningful ventures has led him to his current position of Professor of Music at California State University, East Bay, where he is the Founding Director of the School of Arts and Media and the Director of Vocal Studies.
James’ career can be traced to an early love of music, from the pulsating Rock and Roll of his hometown Cleveland, Ohio to the nostalgic Country and Western music of his parent’s West Virginia. He traded his electric guitar for a baton after discovering the beauty and power of ensemble singing in his High School choir with Frank Bianchi and at the University of Akron while studying with Edward Maclary. The allure of California’s sun led him west to study at the University of California, Irvine with Joseph Huszti, who helped him secure both the prestigious UCI Chancellor’s Fellowship and his first faculty teaching positions at UCI and Whittier College.
Seeking to continue his studies toward a Doctorate, he became a protégé of William Dehning at the University of Southern California where he was challenged and inspired both musically and intellectually by his mentor and the institution. During his time in Los Angeles he also studied with David Wilson, James Vail, and John Barnett, and he conducted the USC University Chorus, restarted a defunct USC Men’s Chorus, and was honored as the Outstanding Doctoral Graduate in the USC Department of Choral and Sacred Music.
Prior to coming to CSUEB he taught at many institutions, most notably at Millersville University of Pennsylvania where he was named “Person of the Year” in 2004. He has served many organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association and Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses, and is one of the founding officers of the National Collegiate Choral Organization.
His move to California and subsequent travels through Europe as a singer and penniless student backpacker shaped his world views on art and human relations, and he has had the privilege of sharing his love for history, art, design, the ocean, and good food with his choirs during tours to Eastern and Western Europe, Mexico and Asia. His personal travels have taken him camel riding in the Gobi Desert, traversing glaciers in Patagonia, summiting the great Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, visiting monasteries in the Himalayas, exploring souks in Dubai, and shopping at Thailand’s night markets. James and his family have been blessed with the opportunity of enjoying extended stays studying culture and music in Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Bangkok, Tokyo, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. Currently he lives in Palo Alto with his wife Aileen and their two beautiful children, Emilia Rose and Lionel.
JAZZ BAND - Dr. Aaron Lington, San José State University
Grammy Award-winning baritone saxophonist and composer Aaron Joseph Lington (b. 1974) received his BM in music education from the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, and both his MM in jazz studies and DMA in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas where he studied with James Riggs. His performing and compositional credits include collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony, Maynard Ferguson, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, Bo Diddley, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jamie Davis, Tommy Igoe, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, and many others. In addition, he has won awards for both his playing and writing from Downbeat Magazine, ASCAP, and was the 2003 recipient of the Sammy Nestico Award. He was named the 2011 “Jazz Educator of the Year” by the California Music Educators Association, and has been recognized multiple times in the both the Downbeat Magazine Critic’s Poll and Reader’s Poll. In 2015 he was named as a Silicon Valley Artist Laureate. The San José Mercury News praises Dr. Lington’s playing as “revelatory…he obviously relishes the beautiful, blustery bark of his instrument…” and that he possesses a “…finely honed melodic sensibility…” Josh Davies from the International Trumpet Guild states that Lington “...[shows] a true command of his instrument with a very studied and soulful essence.” Cadence magazine declares “Lington and compatriots come up with a wonderful and totally American jazz sound, [resulting in] a solid mainstream set based on some sweet melodic improvisation.” In addition to his position as professor at San José State University where he serves as Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Dr. Lington is also the director of the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars. Aaron Lington is a Saxophone Performing Artist for Selmer Saxophones and is a D’Addario Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Rico Reeds.
Grammy Award-winning baritone saxophonist and composer Aaron Joseph Lington (b. 1974) received his BM in music education from the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, and both his MM in jazz studies and DMA in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas where he studied with James Riggs. His performing and compositional credits include collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony, Maynard Ferguson, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, Bo Diddley, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jamie Davis, Tommy Igoe, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, and many others. In addition, he has won awards for both his playing and writing from Downbeat Magazine, ASCAP, and was the 2003 recipient of the Sammy Nestico Award. He was named the 2011 “Jazz Educator of the Year” by the California Music Educators Association, and has been recognized multiple times in the both the Downbeat Magazine Critic’s Poll and Reader’s Poll. In 2015 he was named as a Silicon Valley Artist Laureate. The San José Mercury News praises Dr. Lington’s playing as “revelatory…he obviously relishes the beautiful, blustery bark of his instrument…” and that he possesses a “…finely honed melodic sensibility…” Josh Davies from the International Trumpet Guild states that Lington “...[shows] a true command of his instrument with a very studied and soulful essence.” Cadence magazine declares “Lington and compatriots come up with a wonderful and totally American jazz sound, [resulting in] a solid mainstream set based on some sweet melodic improvisation.” In addition to his position as professor at San José State University where he serves as Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Dr. Lington is also the director of the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars. Aaron Lington is a Saxophone Performing Artist for Selmer Saxophones and is a D’Addario Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Rico Reeds.
JAZZ CHOIR - Dr. Christine Guter, CSU Long Beach
Christine Guter (Helferich) is a jazz vocalist, pianist, and studio singer who brings an immense wealth of experience to our faculty. She has a full, rich voice of great range and versatility. Christine mainly works as a jazz vocalist, but is versed in many musical styles including classical, pop/rock, musical theater, country, and blues. She has performed extensively at concerts, festivals, colleges, and other venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Christine performs frequently in L.A. and Orange County, and has worked with many legendary musicians including Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur, Maynard Ferguson, Mercer Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Bobby McFerrin, and Darmon Meader.
Christine has worked extensively in studio settings since 1990, and has sung on over 40 Hollywood soundtracks including Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Despicable Me 2, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Lorax, Men in Black 3, Ice Age 4, Superman Returns, Beowulf, Horton Hears a Who, and Spiderman 3. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). She also is the lead singer in the nationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble, Vocalogy.
An extraordinary educator, Christine is active nationally as a guest conductor, lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician. She has presented many clinics, performances, and demonstrations for music education organizations and conferences, and has conducted numerous All-State Jazz Choirs. Christine is on the board for the California Alliance for Jazz (CAJ), and is a member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). She serves the California ACDA as Vocal Jazz R&S Chair. She is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals and workshops throughout the United States and Canada.
Christine is currently the Director of Vocal Jazz at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. She teaches private jazz and classical voice lessons, a solo jazz vocal techniques course, class jazz piano, jazz theory, and directs the university’s award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, Pacific Standard Time.
Christine Guter (Helferich) is a jazz vocalist, pianist, and studio singer who brings an immense wealth of experience to our faculty. She has a full, rich voice of great range and versatility. Christine mainly works as a jazz vocalist, but is versed in many musical styles including classical, pop/rock, musical theater, country, and blues. She has performed extensively at concerts, festivals, colleges, and other venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Christine performs frequently in L.A. and Orange County, and has worked with many legendary musicians including Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur, Maynard Ferguson, Mercer Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Bobby McFerrin, and Darmon Meader.
Christine has worked extensively in studio settings since 1990, and has sung on over 40 Hollywood soundtracks including Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Despicable Me 2, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Lorax, Men in Black 3, Ice Age 4, Superman Returns, Beowulf, Horton Hears a Who, and Spiderman 3. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). She also is the lead singer in the nationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble, Vocalogy.
An extraordinary educator, Christine is active nationally as a guest conductor, lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician. She has presented many clinics, performances, and demonstrations for music education organizations and conferences, and has conducted numerous All-State Jazz Choirs. Christine is on the board for the California Alliance for Jazz (CAJ), and is a member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). She serves the California ACDA as Vocal Jazz R&S Chair. She is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals and workshops throughout the United States and Canada.
Christine is currently the Director of Vocal Jazz at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. She teaches private jazz and classical voice lessons, a solo jazz vocal techniques course, class jazz piano, jazz theory, and directs the university’s award-winning vocal jazz ensemble, Pacific Standard Time.
