We also bid farewell to the very talented and possibly the funniest conductor on the planet, David Crosby, who has relocated out of the area. We send him our best wishes and hope he will return as promised to emcee our concerts!
The Colts Neck Band would like to recognize and offer our heartfelt thanks to our former Music Director, Kelly Tyma, for her many years of service as a founding member, music director and conductor of the band. Her hard work and dedication to the group has been beyond measure. We wish her well in her retirement and new endeavors, and trust she will visit us often!
Don Swinchoski is currently the Music Director at Central Jersey College Prep Charter School in Somerset, NJ. In addition to conducting the Colts Neck Community Band, he is the founding member and music director and conductor of the Band of the Two Rivers, in Fair Haven, NJ. Mr. Swinchoski holds a B.A. degree from Johnson State College and a M.M. from New England Conservatory in Wind Ensemble Conducting and studied conducting with Frank L. Battisti. He has lived in central New Jersey for the last 20 years and performs as a free lance trumpet player and conductor, especially with the Navesink Brass and St. Peter's Brass. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with so many fine musicians in Colts Neck Community Band.
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.
