HISTORY
The National Concert Band of America (NCBA) was founded in 1974 by veterans and legendary players from each of the Washington-area military service bands. As such, our heritage lies in the history and traditions of the Military Bands of the U.S. Armed Forces. Currently, our membership includes veterans of our country's great military service bands, as well as civilian musicians who have demonstrated outstanding instrumental proficiency and musicianship.
MISSION
To promote the traditions of the American Concert Band through masterful performances.
VISION
1. To be a premier volunteer concert band.
2. To provide a continuing musical experience to highly qualified musicians in the greater Washington, D.C, area in the spirit of music as a lifetime avocation.
3. To perform a wide variety of music in the tradition of the great concert bands for the enjoyment of audiences and musicians.
4. To perform in honor of military service members, veterans, and America’s patriots.
5. To foster the development and growth of music education by being role models for the lifelong pursuit of musical excellence.
WOLSON GUSTAMA, JR.
Music Director & Principal Conductor
Wolson Gustama, Jr. is the eighth Music Director and Principal Conductor of the National Concert Band of America and currently serves as the Director of Bands for West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia. In his role, Gustama oversees nearly 160 students in several ensembles, including the West Springfield High School Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, the WSHS Spartan Marching Band, Jazz Band, and numerous chamber ensembles.
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Prior to his work at West Springfield, Mr. Gustama served as the Director of Bands for Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia. Under his leadership, the band was invited to several prestigious events, including the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference, the University of Georgia January Festival “Janfest”, the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic (SEUS) at Troy University, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University and the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic. Before joining Dutchtown High School, Gustama served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
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He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University, a Master of Music in Music Education from Florida State University, and an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) from Piedmont College. He is the National Band Association (NBA) committee chair for the William P. Foster Project. He holds memberships with the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA), Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA), National Band Association (NBA), Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Association, and the National Association for Music Educators (NAFME). Gustama is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and currently resides in Arlington, Virginia, with his fiancé, Sergeant First Class Adiza Jibril, and their dog, Sushi.
WILLIAM R. TERRY
Associate Conductor
William R. Terry, Master Chief Musician, USN (Ret.) is a native of Glens Falls, NY and began playing the clarinet in the fifth grade. For 55 years, he has been a professional clarinetist, music educator and conductor.
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Mr. Terry began his 30-year career as a Navy Musician in 1966 with the position of staff instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA. As part of his duties, Mr. Terry wrote a conducting curriculum and taught the Refresher, Intermediate, and Advanced Band Leader Conducting Courses for Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel. He also founded the School of Music Student Wind Ensemble, which performed quarterly concerts.
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In 1977, Mr. Terry was transferred to the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. as a clarinet instrumentalist in the Concert and Ceremonial bands. For 18 years he was the Senior Enlisted Conductor for both of those units. He served five Officer-in-Charge/Leaders and produced several recordings of the Navy Band. After retirement from the Navy in 1996 he established the Director of Admissions and Job Placement Departments at the Omega Studios School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences in Rockville, Maryland and served in those positions until retirement in 2009. In retirement, Mr. Terry remains an adjunct professor with Omega Studios School teaching Music Theory and Career Skills, and a recording studio musician at Omega Studios.
ARTISTIC STAFF
CHRISTINE JONES
Executive Director
Christine Jones joins the National Concert Band of America with over ten years of arts administration expertise. Her experience spans from running two concert halls and planning events at the University of Miami, to serving as Executive Director of a D.C. area non-profit, to leading The United States Air Force Band’s social media team through the challenges of COVID-19.
Skilled at identifying gaps and filling needs, she founded the Women's Development Series, a highly successful speaker series serving military and civilian personnel throughout the DMV metropolitan area. Additionally, she launched The United States Air Force Band’s Diversity Fellowship in 2022, providing a unique opportunity for young professionals across the U.S. to rehearse, perform with, and learn from members of the Band in an intimate setting.
A classically trained trombonist, she earned degrees from Stetson University, The Juilliard School, and the University of Miami. Her background as both an arts administrator and a seasoned performer gives her a well-rounded perspective on the arts.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
MUSICIANS
* Principal + Section Leader
Flute
James Waters
Suzanne Bloom
Samantha Clarke
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Piccolo
Julie McDonald​
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Oboe
Natalie Jones *+
Mark Guillen​
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​Clarinet
Bill Terry
Deanna Tomanelli
Kathryn Lawson
Karen Guerra
David Pritzker
Keith Highfill
Randy Small
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Eb Clarinet
Kristi Perry
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Bass Clarinet
Cheryl Conway
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​Bassoon
Kathryn Beyer
Sarah Hewitt
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Alto Saxophone
Laura Osborne *+
John Peasant
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Tenor Saxophone
Tom Lerubino
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Baritone Saxophone
Carey Johnston​
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Trumpet/Cornet
Finn Marks
Christine Horting
Ben Stern
Randy Whittenberger
Rick Whittenberger
Rod Hill
Franklin Wade
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Horn
Jennifer Schafer*+
Alex Childs
Susan Wiltsie
Margo Buckelew
Paula Danko
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​Trombone
Nico Lopez
David Karseboom
Melissa Bayliss
DeAngelo Palucho
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Euphonium
Tony Ciarlante
Claire Wong
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Tuba
Rob Ross *+
Tom Jozefowicz
Andrew Skinner
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Percussion
Leona Roskowski*+
Jim Bartelt
Kenny Marr
Joann Troy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Jennifer Schafer
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Secretary
Deanna Tomanelli​
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Treasurer
Susan Dexter
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​Member-at-Large
Tony Ciarlente
Larry Demás
Kaitlin Gimm
Erik Lundquist
Laura Osborne
David Pritzker​​
​Executive Director
(ex-officio)
Christine Jones
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Music Director
(ex-officio)
Wolson Gustama​, Jr.
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Associate Conductor
(ex-officio)
William R. Terry
​Past President
(ex-officio)
Timothy Smith
Rob Ross​
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Librarian
(ex-officio)
Carey Johnston