DONALD SWINCHOSKI is in his 13th year as co-conductor of the Colts Neck Community band. He also is Conductor of the Basie Conservatory Youth Orchestra. As a public school music educator for over 45 years, Mr Swinchoski has taught instrumental and choral music in three states, currently at the Red Bank Middle School. He has participated in the West Virginia and South Carolina Conducting Institutes and was accepted as a conducting fellow for the Aspen Music School. Mr Swinchoski received a masters degree in conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, studying with Frank Battisti, and holds a BA degree from Johnson State College (now VSU-Johnson) with a degree in music education. He has received an award for Outstanding Musical Direction at the annual Basie Awards and was nominated for Orchestra Direction at the Paper Mill Playhouse awards. He was twice nominated for Teacher of the Year at Rumson Fair Haven, where musical ensembles received many awards and performed in Toronto, Williamsburg, Baltimore, and at Yankee Stadium.
As the orchestra director of Knollwood School in Fair Haven, NJ, MEL CHAYETTE teaches fourth through eighth grade strings, sixth through eighth grade general music, and adaptive music. Mx. Chayette is an active local musician, playing the tuba, electric bass, guitar, trombone, and percussion in a variety of ensembles, including the Asbury Brass Quintet, the Cantique tuba quartet, and the Moondance Big Band.
ERIC ROBERTSHAW is an active musician and conductor throughout New Jersey. In addition to conducting the Colts Neck Community Band, Eric is also one of the conductors of the Old Bridge Concert Band, and has conducted over 30 concerts for the Imperial Band of South River. His background in the performing arts includes designing shows for Marching Bands and Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as adjudicating Marching Band and indoor Colorguard competitions. Eric works full time as a Hearing Specialist for Beltone Hearing Centers.
MARTIN GRIFFIN was a Band Director in New Jersey for 35 years, primarily as the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Fine Arts at Monroe Township High School. The MTHS Marching Band was crowned NJ State Champions in 2013, and they were selected to represent New Jersey at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 2016. In addition, the MTHS Wind Ensemble received multiple gold ratings, and they were selected to perform at Carnegie Hall, the NJ Performing Arts Center, the NJ State Band Gala, and the NJMEA conference. The MTHS Percussion Ensemble has performed at the All Eastern and NJMEA conferences and were WGI Power East Regional Champions three times. Marty currently judges for numerous organizations including WGI, BOA and DCI and he has been a judge for the Drum Corps Japan Championships. Marty is currently the judging coordinator for The DCI All Age Class, The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society, and the NJ Marching Band Directors Association. He was on the staff for the 2022 Music for All Honor Band which performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade and Marty is currently an adjunct instructor in Music Education for Rider University and a travel consultant with Performing Arts Consultants
Our Music Director Emeritus, Kelly Tyma, is a founding member of the band, who served as conductor and music director for many years. She continues to provide support and assistance to the group, and we appreciate her expertise and continued contributions.