MEET OUR CONDUCTORS
Dr. Yontz returns to raise his baton for our 55th season as Music Director and Conductor. ​Tim is joined by ​John Salminen, as Associate Conductor, in bringing some of the most beautiful music to Southwest Florida.
Conductor and Music Director
Dr. Tim Yontz
Dr. Tim Yontz is Professor of Music, Head of Instrumental Studies and Director of Bands for the Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University. Before his appointment at FGCU, Dr. Yontz was Professor of Music Education and Director of Bands at Wheaton College (Illinois), Associate Director of Bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Director of Bands at Marinette High School (Wisconsin), New Palestine High School (Indiana), and New Albany High School (Indiana). In 2023, he was appointed the founding Music Director of the Symphonic Winds of Southwest Florida, a semi-professional regional wind band. Dr. Yontz holds a Ph.D. in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction in Music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Master of Music from Butler University (Indianapolis), and Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, and recipient of the National Band Association “Citation of Excellence.”
Tim resides in Estero, Florida, with his trusty golden retriever, Skye. Tim’s son and wife, Brent and Jill, live in Burbank, California, and his daughter, Bess, lives in Union Grove, Wisconsin.
Associate Conductor
John Salminen
John D. Salminen, SPME received his Bachelors of Music Education from Temple University, Pennsylvania, his Masters Degree from Michigan State University and his Specialist in Music Education from the University of Miami at Coral Gables. His instrumental background includes studying clarinet with the principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Anthony Gigliotti while at Temple University and, while at the University of Miami. saxophone with jazz artist Gary Keller.
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Over the past 40 years, John has taught instrumental music at international schools in such places as Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Jordan, the UAE and Belgium. He has built programs from as small as 50 students up to 500 and has conducted works from grade 1 (Beginners) to grade 6 (University). In 2002 he was the guest conductor of the International Jazz Ensemble in Warsaw, Poland. Along with his teaching and conducting, John has performed in jazz bands, concert bands and orchestras around the world. In addition, he has organized student trips, guest performers and opportunities for students to interact with great musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, the Canadian Brass and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
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