Conductors

Marcus L. Neiman has been conductor of Medina Community Band since the Fall of 1972 and has served as conductor of the ensemble longer than any previous conductor in the ensemble’s history. He attended the Akron Public Schools, received his Bachelor of Science in music education degree from The University of Akron, master of music in music education degree from The University of Michigan, postgraduate hours at The Kent State University, and The University of Akron.  Neiman studied conducting with Richard Jackoboice, William D. Revelli, and Elizabeth Green.

Neiman retired from posts held with the Medina County Schools Educational Service Center in 2010 (1980 through 2000 as fine arts consultant and 2000 through 2010 as director of fine arts tours and festivals). He was formerly director of bands at Medina High School (1972 through 1980).  Neiman was a part-time lecturer for the music department at Case Western Reserve University (April 2004 through May of 2010).  From 2010 through July of 2016, Neiman was an assistant professor of music education at the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University.

Neiman was a founding trustee and past president of both the Medina County Arts Council and Medina County Performing Arts Foundation.  He served as music director for productions by both Medina County Show Biz Company and Brunswick Entertainment Company and served as a committee member on the City of Medina Uptown Park Committee and Arts Under the Stars committee. He was a member of the class of ’94 Leadership Medina County and was awarded the Leadership Medina County “Excellence in Education Leadership” in June of 2014, the sixth recipient of the award in Leadership Medina County’s history and the only recipient not a superintendent of a school district.

Neiman has served Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) as a member of the adjudicated events flute solo and ensemble required list selection committee, communications, governmental relations, music in our schools, and public relations committees, district president, vice-president, state chair for Music In Our Schools and public relations, state editor of their professional journal TRIAD, and state chair for their council of supervisors. He was elected by OMEAs membership to serve as state president from July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2000, and is currently OMEAs state historian. He was awarded OMEAs highest honor, the “Distinguished Service Award” on January 29 2010 at the Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Neiman’s goal has always been to preserve the presence and character of the traditional “town-band.” In addition, Neiman has encouraged composers to write for the band. Over the years, the band has commissioned works by Douglas Court, Robert Feldbush, Stuart Ling, Edmund J. Siennicki, Tadd Russo, and David Shaffer. Neiman is a member of numerous professional organizations including the National Association for Music Education and Ohio Music Education Association, Neiman is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi (University of Michigan Nu chapter, and honorary Beta Pi at Kent State University). He is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa (national leadership society – The University of Akron – Theta Circle). He and his wife Mary Ann, who is a professional clarinetist, reside in Medina with Ludwig – the cat. (23 12 04)

Dr. Darren LeBeau, associate conductor, started his teaching career in 1989, prior to accepting the Director of Bands position at Revere Local Schools in 1998. Dr. LeBeau’s primary responsibilities included Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and the Marching Minutemen. He also taught beginning instrumental music at Bath Elementary School. In addition to his teaching duties, Darren LeBeau was the Auditorium Manager and High School Building Use coordinator. Preceding to his tenure at Revere, he was the assistant band director at Barberton City Schools, Claymont City Schools, and Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School. Dr. LeBeau earned both his master’s degree ’98 and Bachelor’s degree ’89 in Music Education from The University of Akron. He earned his Ph.D. from Kent State University in 2020. He is actively involved in the Ohio Music Education Association and has participated in the OMEA Leadership Academy.  He is an active OMEA Adjudicator for Marching Band, Solo and Ensemble and Large Group Adjudicated events. He has also served OMEA as a host for High School Large Group and Marching Band adjudicated events. Dr. LeBeau has been a member of the Brass Band of the Western Reserve. Dr. LeBeau was awarded PTSA “Teacher of the Year” for Revere Local Schools in 2022 and “Who’s Who in America” 1991, ‘92 and ‘93. His ensembles have received OMEA superior ratings at the local and state levels at marching band and concert band adjudicated events. He retired from Revere Local Schools after 34 years of teaching in June of 2023. His professional memberships include the Revere Education Association, Ohio Education Association, National Education Association, Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, Kappa Kappa Psi, and American School Band Director Association. Darren was appointed as an associate conductor in the Spring of 2023. (23 11 02)

Matthew Hastings, assistant conductor, has been employed with the Wadsworth City Schools since 2015. At Wadsworth, Hastings oversees the 5th and 6th grade band programs, teaches tuba/baritone sectionals at band camp, and serves as theatre manager for Wadsworth’s OJ Work Auditorium. As a performer, he has played tuba with the Medina Community Band since 2018 and has served as an assistant conductor since 2019. Hastings also performs with the Northeast Ohio Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble (NOTE) and has played his tuba in various venues around Medina.

Hastings earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ohio Northern University in 2015 and is currently completing coursework in a Master of Music in Music Education from Kent State University. He resides in Medina with his wife Lindsay, and their dog, O’Malley. (23 12 12)

Amy Muhl, assistant conductor, has been a member of Medina Community Band since 1998. Originally from Lyme, Connecticut, moved to Ohio to study music education at Oberlin Conservatory in 1991. She graduated in 1995 and taught orchestra for two years in the Willard City Schools. Amy received her masters of music education from Kent State University on a scholarship, in 1998. She then taught instrumental music at Buckeye High School, in Medina (OH) and in the fall of 1999, became the elementary band teacher for Buckeye Local Schools. In the fall of 2001, she began teaching elementary instrumental music at Central Intermediate School in the Wadsworth City Schools. After raising Eva and Simon for 5 years, Amy returned to Wadsworth Schools teaching general music at Valley View Elementary and is now back at Central Intermediate School teaching general music and choir. Amy also plays flute/piccolo and piano, in addition to being a member of Medina Community Band and Sounds of Sousa Band. She is also Vice President of the Medina Community Band Association. Amy resides in Wadsworth with her husband Frank, and three children, Kenneth, Eva and Simon.