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Breiling selected to lead band in interim for Norris

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The Cottonwood Community Band welcomes Roy Breiling, interim director, for the fall-winter season. It is truly an honor to have such a highly qualified musician willing to lead the band while the regular band director, Will Norris, is taking a family medical leave of absence.

Breiling, a native of West Allis, Wise, earned his bachelor of fine arts degree in instrumental music education from the University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee in 1976, and master of music degree from Michigan State University in 1980. He earned his doctor of musical arts degree in wind band conducting, with a minor in trumpet performance from University of Arizona in 2000.

He retired as director of instrumental musical activities at Yavapai College in 2014. Joining the music faculty in 1995, he conducted the Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonic Band, along with the Trailblazers and Roughriders Big Bands. He taught music theory courses, as well as giving private lessons. Under his direction, the YC Orchestra performed major works by Beethoven, Mozart, Berlioz and other master composers. The orchestra also performed educational music memory concerts to audiences of more than 2,000 elementary school students for 12 years. The Symphonic Band performed original wind band compositions, marches and novelty tunes. The Trailblazers Big Band has made two recordings and received a superior rating at the Northern Arizona University Jazz Festival in 2000 and first place among community college big bands at the Reno Jazz Festival in 2012.

Prior to 1995, Breiling was director of bands at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher; Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn.; and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn. He was an adjunct band director for two years at Minnesota State University — Mankato.

He served in the U. S. Air Force for eight years as commander and conductor of Air Force bands in Texas, Mississippi and New Jersey. During those years, the Air Force bands performed at such noteworthy occasions as the 1981 Fiesta in San Antonio; 1982 Mardi Gras in New Orleans; 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans; Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades in New York; 1987 World Series in New York City; and in Glassboro, New Jersey for an appearance by President Ronald Reagan. After an additional 15 years in the Air Force Reserves, he retired in 2006 as a lieutenant colonel.

Breiling remains active as guest clinician and conductor for regional band and orchestra festivals, including Northern Arizona Regional High School Music Festival in February 2007 and the Northeast Arizona Regional High School Music Festival in February 2014. He also serves as adjudicator for scholarship auditions, such as Sedona Jazz on the Rocks. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Arizona Music Educators Association and Music Educators National Conference. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and performs regularly on trumpet in church, in the Central Arizona Concert Band and as director of the YC Brass Quintet. He and his wife Ruth have two children, Mark and Amy.

The band's first performance directed by Breiling will be held at Dead Horse Ranch State Park during Verde River Days on Saturday, Sept. 26. Verde River Days is free, starting at 8 a.m. The band will kick-off the event at 9 a.m.

New members are welcome and now is the time to join the band for upcoming concerts as they practice weekly in the band room at Cottonwood Middle School, Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. No auditions are required.



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