Partnering with other musical groups
Medina Community Band and Medina Chorus 2023
Brunswick St. Ambrose Church Adult Choir
Over the last two years, Medina Community Band has partnered with Brunswick St. Ambrose Church Adult Choir, Travis Jurgens, conductor. Most recently the two groups presented a “9-11” recognition concert St. Ambrose. The next joint performance will be on Wednesday, September 11th (9-11), 2024.
Travis Jürgens, conductor. Travis Jürgens won 2nd Prize and the President of the Jury Award at the 2019 Bucharest Music Institute International Conducting Competition. He has conducted the Rochester Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, and Denver Philharmonic, among others.
Jürgens has performed in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He has been praised as “a superior conductor” and “well on his way to becoming a major conductor in the world of symphony orchestras” (Opus Colorado). Musicians who have played under his baton have commented on his exceptional talent, dynamic musicianship, efficient rehearsals, and strong leadership.
The fully professional Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra appointed Jürgens as their next Music Director and Conductor in July 2018. Previously, he was the Music Director and Conductor of the Ohio Northern Symphony for five seasons, the Lima Area Youth Orchestra for three seasons, the Philharmonia of Kansas City for six seasons, the Associate Conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and a cover conductor for the Colorado Symphony. He also held the position of Associate Conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre in Denver, where he received the Leon Guide Outstanding Conductor Award. Saint Ambrose Parish in Brunswick, Ohio appointed Jürgens as Director of Music Ministry in July 2020, where he currently serves with a grateful heart.
Jürgens earned his Bachelor’s in Piano Performance with High Distinction from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, his Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Illinois, and an Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. Additionally, he studied at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien and the Institut für Europäishe Studien in Vienna, Austria. He also made his Viennese debut as guest conductor of the IES Vienna Chamber Orchestra. He has served as Graduate Assistant Conductor at the University of Illinois, and Assistant Conductor for the University of Illinois Opera Theater. His primary conducting teachers include Donald Schleicher, Lawrence Golan, and David Effron. Additionally, he has received instruction from Michael Tilson Thomas, Marin Alsop, Gustav Meier, Larry Rachleff, Jorma Panula, Jin Wang, and many others. As an advocate of new music, Jürgens has performed many world premieres by emerging composers, and works to create innovative programs to engage continues.
Medina Chorus
Medina Chorus (formerly known as the Medina County Chorus) has performed with Medina Community Band back as far as the 1960s most recent being during the summer season of 2023. Medina Community Band and Medina Chorus will present a join concert as part of the 2024 summer season on Friday, July 12th.
The Medina Chorus was created in 1935 as an opportunity for Medina area high school students and community singers to join in performing Handel’s Messiah. The Chorus continued to perform through the WW II years that were lean in the men’s sections, and eventually added a spring season to present lighter works each year in May. In 2001, the Chorus added more variety to its winter concerts under the direction of Kurt Sauer, and no longer performs Messiah every season.
Today’s Medina Chorus is a non-auditioned, mixed-voice community ensemble with members of all ages and backgrounds who come from throughout Northeast Ohio. As a vibrant part of the Medina arts landscape, the Chorus performs in public concerts and outreach events throughout the community.
We are a friendly group of people who love to sing a wide variety of challenging music. In the last decade, our repertoire has included major works by Handel, Haydn and Britten, choral works by composers and arrangers from around the world, as well as the American musical theater. The dedication of many singers and volunteers and the quality of its conductors has enabled the Chorus to bring beautiful music to the community for over eighty years!
Michael McClintock, chorus director
Mike McClintock joined Medina Chorus as Musical Conductor in June 2021. He is a graduate of Medina High School where he participated in both instrumental and choir programs. Mike earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Bowling Green State University. Upon his graduation, he received the Mark S. and Helen Kelly Outstanding Future Educator Award. Michael also received a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Ashland University.
Michael has extensive teaching experience in several local school districts in both instrumental and choral music; he currently teaches vocal music in the Highland Local School District. He serves as the Director of Music Ministries at the Medina United Methodist Church as well as Director of Choirs and Coordinator of Ensembles for the Medina County Fair. In his spare time, he has been involved as Vocal/Instrumental Music Director for the Medina ShowBiz Company as well as many musicals performed at Medina High School. He is a proud native son of Medina and still lives in Medina with his wife, Cyndi and their children Abby, Ben, Matt, and Mary.
Medina St. Francis Xavier Church Choirs
While Medina Community Band has presented their annual Veterans Day concerts in the sanctuary of St. Francis Xavier Church, this past year, we have welcomed their adult and children’s choir to perform with us, not only at our Veterans Concert, but also on our subscription concerts at the Western Reserve Masonic Community. Our Veterans Day joint performance will be on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 (9-11).
Carissa Young is the Director of Music at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, Ohio. She is also a piano accompanist at the University of Akron and Medina High School. Previously, Carissa taught music at St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, and served as a music director and organist for several churches, including St. Mary in Hyde Park and St. Hilary Church in Fairlawn. Carissa is actively involved in accompanying and collaborative work as well as teaching and conducting. She has performed with soloists and ensembles of all ages and ability levels – K-12, All-State, collegiate and community groups.
Carissa earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she studied piano with Gail Berenson and Richard Syracuse, organ with Holly Oberle, flute with Alison Sincoff, and conducting with Andrew Trachsel. She earned a German Language Certificate while studying abroad at the University of Salzburg, Austria and is a certified Music Together teacher. Additionally, Carissa is a contributing author for the Teaching Music through Performance series, published by G.I.A. and a member of NPM and AGO. Carissa lives in Medina with her husband and four children.
The Saint Francis Xavier Adult Choir is composed of volunteers who enjoy singing and who have a desire to worship through song. The choir performs weekly on Sunday mornings, as well as for major liturgical observances in the church year. Recent opportunities for music making include being invited to take part in the in the inaugural Medina Gospel Fest (2023) and singing alongside the Medina Community Band (2022). This December, the St. Francis Xavier Choir looks forward to restoring their annual tradition of performing a Christmas Cantata with and for members of the entire Medina community.
The Saint Francis Xavier Children’s Choir includes students from several area schools and homeschools who love to sing. Occasionally incorporating chimes or other instruments, the choir typically provides music for liturgy monthly and for special feasts and holy days, such as Christmas and Easter. The purpose of the ensemble is to provide a supportive and encouraging environment in which students can learn sound vocal techniques and basic musicianship while having fun and making a joyful noise for the glory of God.
Brass Band of the Western Reserve
Medina Community Band is delighted to announce that we will partner with Brass Band of the Western Reserve on Friday, June 21st, 2024.
The Brass Band of the Western Reserve was formed in 1997. The catalyst for the creation of the band was the knowledge that the experienced and successful British brass band director, Dr Keith M Wilkinson, had recently relocated to north-east Ohio.
The band presents an annual Concert Series which, since 2013, has taken place at Medina Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the band is delighted to accept many of the invitations it receives to perform at other locations, many of which are repeat bookings. Prestigious concert venues have included The Amphitheater, Chautauqua Institution, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside Chautauqua and Severance Hall, Cleveland. Summer concerts include a July 4th performance, followed by fireworks, at Bicentennial Park, Fairlawn.
The band’s goals have always been to present a wide variety of music at the highest possible standard of performance and, in so doing, create an enjoyable experience for its audience. It is able to perform impressively across a wide spectrum of emotions whether the music is quiet and delicate or strong and powerful.
Jay Wardeska currently serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA). In March of 2022, he was named the music director of the Brass Band of the Western Reserve. He is currently a PhD candidate in Music Education at the Ohio State University and holds a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Mount Union.
Wardeska taught music at the middle school, high school, and college levels in the State of Ohio for over 30 years. Bands under his direction performed at a number of state and national events including OMEA Professional Development Conferences, the Ohio Band Directors Conference, the NAfME-Disney Honors Festival, the U.S. Army Band President’s Concert, the University of Akron Concert Band Clinic, and partnership
concerts with a number of university band programs.
Wardeska has been the recipient of many honors and appointments, including being named the 2013 National Band Director of the Year by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the U.S. Army Band. Additional awards and appointments include the Joseph A. Leeder Award in Music Education, selection to the NAfME U.S. Army All-American Band Directors Academy, Grammy Quarterfinalist for the Music
Educator of the Year, the Medina County Arts Council’s Service to the Arts Award, National Band Association Citation of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Teaching Award. He is also a Martha Holding Jennings Foundation Jennings Scholar. Other professional memberships include Phi Beta Mu and the American School Band Directors Association.
Marcus Neiman, conductor
Medina Community Band
Updated – Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
