WEST HILLS SYMPHONIC BAND

Meet the Band

Tom Snyder
2025 to Present
Principal Conductor & Music Director
Tom Snyder retired in June 2021 to conclude 40 years of public school music teaching, almost all in the West Allegheny SD. Roles throughout his tenure included serving as K-12 Arts Coordinator, high school musical producer, stage manager and band director, middle school music teacher, and elementary instrumental lessons teacher. He is continuing at WA in retirement as assistant producer for the fall and spring musicals. Tom graduated from Clarion State College with a B.S. in Music Education and received a master’s in music education from Duquesne University. He is currently the State Coordinator of the Music Performance Assessment program for the PA Music Educators Association (PMEA) and a concert band adjudicator.

Stephen Baldanzi
2025 to Present
Associate Conductor
Stephen Baldanzi is a well-known musician and conductor throughout the Pittsburgh area. He is the music director of the Allegheny Brass Band. He has also conducted various musical theater orchestras for Stage 62 Theater Company, Carlynton High School and Shaler High School. He taught music for 33 years and retired in June 2024 from North Allegheny School District. During his tenure at North Allegheny, he was the director of bands at the North Allegheny Intermediate School as well as the marching band director. Prior to working at North Allegheny, Mr. Baldanzi taught music in the Shaler Area School District and at Carlow Campus School. Mr. Baldanzi earned a Bachelor of Music in composition with a minor in music education from William Patterson University. He completed a Master of Music in composition at Carnegie Mellon University, studying with Robert Page and Leonardo Balada.

Board of Directors & Volunteer Staff
President: Chad Toporski
Vice-President: Deb Weible
Secretary: Justin Carson
Treasurer: Kevin Dick
Directors:
Brent Alexander
Nick Andes
Meagan Dickson
Vince Gorman
Alexis Healey
Booking Manager: Deb Weible
Development Manager: Kelly Englert
Music Librarian: Sue Craft
Program Designer: Kelly Englert
Website & Social Media: Chad Toporski
Member Musicians
Flute
Toni Baldanzi
Pam Brady
Chris Burgh
Kelly Englert
Tracy Glass
Tina Hosler
Jamie Kasper
Karen Koszak
Leigh Snyder
Ellen Spondike
Ron Steffanina (PERC)
Oboe
Justin Carson
Haley Casperson
Eb Clarinet
Laura Smith
Clarinet
Fred Appel
Vince Coppola
Carol Gilmour
Meagan Dickson
Marena Grondziowski
Jodi Kutzner
Laura Macek
Maria Mangano
Diana Miller
Ted Nevin
Emily Rickard
James Rumbaugh
Katie Russell
Sara Snyder*
Christine Stevens**
Joe Sullivan
Bass Clarinet
Brent Alexander
Janice Coppola
Bryan Davidson
Rich Pawlish
Alto & Contrabass Clarinet
Brent Alexander
Bassoon
Brett Freithaler
Mark Fromm
Drew McKenzie
Amy Readshaw
Dane Strickland
Contrabassoon
Brett Freithaler
Alto Saxophone
Nick Andes
Fran Balog
Taiylor Baumgardner (Saxes)
Alan Cugini
Trudy Jarvis
Andrew Karns
Joshua Platto
Tenor Saxophone
Cameron Ashbaugh
Kress Oliver
Bari Saxophone
Mark McCollum
Trumpet
Doug Arndt
Steve Baldanzi
Eric Brewer
Matt Campbell
Len Cersosimo
Jon DeGrosky
Ken Gargaro
Mike Holl
Noah Kilgus
Becky Krivanek
Gene Laus
Louise Marino
Matt Nelson
Bill Parker
Bob Poholek
Karl Priore
Tyler Smith
French Horn
Emily Dingfelder
Erica Guidroz
Raquel Karns
Rileigh Karns (Seneca Valley HS)
Peggy Lee
Matt Litterini
Jeremy Miller
Kevin McElheny
Chad Toporski
Marissa Ulmer
Trombone
Courtney Conner
Art Craft
Kevin Dick
Dante DiIanni
Vince Gorman
Brian Harris
Shawn Holl
Jeff Kesser
Justin Miller
John Neurohr
Beth Priore
Euphonium
Scott Eisenreich
Kate Franc
Mindy Harrist
Kit Keiper
George Lepsch
Tuba
Eryn Carranza
Jeff DeGrosky
Alex Kladny
Bob Patterson
Terry Remaly
Dave Wire
String Bass
Mark Perna
Percussion
Alexis Healey
Philip Kronenberg
Rick Laus
Joey Watt
Deb Weible
* Concertmaster
** Assistant Concertmaster
SUMMER MUSICIANS & SUBS
Flute
Roy Abbott
Gennifer Dusold
Zoey Harrist (Carlynton HS)
Deanna Jacobs
Kaitlin McClain
Brooke Venturella
Oboe
Shira Burg
Deanna Jacobs
Jordan Sherman
Alicia Whitney
Clarinet
Julia Brice
Maggie Monahan (Carnegie Mellon U.)
Zach Spondike (Saxes) (Temple U.)
Bari Sax
Maddy Karns (ASX) (Seneca Valley HS)
Trumpet
Jared Famiglietti
Cullen Kesser (Thomas Jefferson HS)
Denny Lodin
Alan Skwarla
Pat Walsh
French Horn
Isaac Miller (Beaver Falls HS)
Charlotte Rudolph
Rich Shyan
Trombone
Paul Burt
Adam Janssen
Steve Stepson
Euphonium
Brandon Tambellini
Hannah Tambellini
Tuba
Sean Emmett (Slippery Rock U.)
Christian Reed
Noah Scheimer
String Bass
Aldo DiIanni
Percussion
Tina Marteney
Ann Pollack
Joey Watt
Cory Webster

Honorary Members
The following individuals have been named Honorary Members of the West Hills Symphonic Band for their distinguished service and support:
Clem Rolin (Conductor Emeritus, 2025)
Sue Craft (2022)