Harris Lanzel
Harris has been leading the Band and charming audiences for over 15 years. This year will be Harris' last year as Music Director and Conductor, but he has decided to "toot his own horn" and will be joining us in the Trumpet section next year!
About Harris
Harris Lanzel is the Music Director and Conductor of the Naples Concert Band. He plays the trumpet and piano and this is his 15th season conducting the NCB.
He retired as Director of Bands from Eisenhower High School, Russell, Pennsylvania in 1999. During his 31 years at Eisenhower, Mr. Lanzel’s concert, jazz, and marching bands have consistently earned superior ratings at state contests and festivals. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
Mr. Lanzel is past president of District 2 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and past president of Nu chapter, Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity. During his teaching career Mr. Lanzel has been honored with many awards. He was also recognized as the Outstanding Pennsylvania Bandmaster of the Year by Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. In addition, he was presented with a Citation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives for achievements “that have brought distinction to themselves, their community and state.” The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association inducted Mr. Lanzel into the PMEA Hall of Fame in February of 2015.
Mr. Lanzel has served as a clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator for Pennsylvania, New York and Florida conventions and contests. He was associate conductor with the Naples Concert Band for six years, and he has also guest conducted in Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico and Florida.
A Naples, Florida resident, Harris has also taught instrumental music at Gulf View Middle School, and has worked with the instrumental music programs at East Naples Middle School, St. Ann School, the Village School and Barron Collier High School.
Mr. Lanzel will retire from his NCB conducting duties at the end of this season. He plans to continue with the NCB as a member of the trumpet section.
John Salminen
John is a member of the clarinet section, and this year, he will join Harris at the podium as Assistant Conductor, where he will conduct 2 pieces per concert as well as the entire March 5th concert program.
About John
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.
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.