Ensemble

Founded in 1954, the Los Angeles Valley College Wind Ensemble has continuously served the musical needs of the San Fernando Valley for more than 50 years. Each year performing many concerts on the campus, as well as throughout the community, this community ensemble is comprised of students, community members, music teachers and professional musicians. A truly diverse group, members come from all over the Los Angeles area, drawn by their common love of band music and the desire to interact with fellow musicians in a supportive environment. Equally diverse is the repertoire, ranging from standard band classics to marches, Broadway melodies, and big band jazz arrangements.


Music Director

 

Music Director 2016

CHAUNCEY MADDREN is the latest addition to the full-time faculty in the Music Department at Los Angeles Valley College. Prior to that, Mr. Maddren was both Instructional Assistant and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Los Angeles Valley College since 1995. Mr. Maddren is a Valley College alum, having received his A.A. degree in Music from LAVC in 1988. He attended California State University, Northridge majoring in clarinet performance and was awarded a bachelor's degree in Music in 1990. He then went on to major in Music History at University of California, Riverside, receiving his master's degree in 1993. His area of specialization was tonal theory of Renaissance polyphony.

Professor Maddren has been playing in wind ensembles since his high school days. When he began majoring in music at Los Angeles Valley College, he played in the LAVC Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Irwin Pope. During his tenure at CSUN, he played in the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Gary Pratt and the Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. David Whitwell. During his early wind ensemble days at Valley College, Mr. Maddren occasionally conducted pieces performed by the LAVC Wind Ensemble. While working as an adjunct faculty member, he organized and conducted a band for the Valley College graduation ceremonies from time to time.

In addition to directing the LAVC Wind Ensemble, Professor Maddren teaches Harmony I, II & III, Musicianship I, II & III, Fundamentals of Music, and the occasional Music Appreciation course.

Mr. Maddren is very involved in the Music Association of California Community Colleges. He is Treasurer on the Executive Board of MACCC. Prior to that, he served as Curriculum Representative for 12 years. Every year, he organizes the MACCC Scholarship Composition Competition. He has been a presenter at several MACCC Conferences presenting on issues such as: applied music, theory pedagogy, and the implications of legislation for music transfer programs.

 

Music Director 2015

Timothy Herscovitch is a music professor, Webby Award-winning app developer, published author, composer, and musicologist. After completing his Masters degree in music education from the University of Southern California, Tim was hired by Classical KUSC to help their new media team engage the next generation of music lovers. Tim believes strongly in the ability of interactive media and technology to empower musicians and help bring the rich world of classical music to previously untapped audiences. Drawing his pedagogy equally from his experience teaching a diverse array of music students, as well as knowledge gained as a veteran of several successful development cycles of digital music apps, Tim continues to break down barriers and reframe the art of music to capture the imagination of 21st century listeners and students

Music Director 2003-2014

It is truly a homecoming for Music Director Dean Immel as he takes the reins of the Los Angeles Valley College Wind Ensemble. After graduating from Van Nuys High School, Immel earned his AA Degree at LA Valley College. He received his BA in Music and General Secondary Teaching Credential from UCLA and Masters Degree in Conducting from CSUN. He taught at Simi Valley High School and Mt. Miguel High School (San Diego County) and developed award winning bands and orchestras at both schools before moving to Washington State. Both Auburn High School and Kennewick High School, where he taught, have since received Grammy Awards for Musical Excellence as a result of his groundwork. Returning to California in 1994, Dean rescued the Instrumental Music Program at Burbank High School from near extinction and it now enjoys the reputation of being one of most outstanding and complete programs in the state. Burbank High School, was also recently nominated for a Grammy Award for Musical Excellence. Wherever he has gone, Mr. Immel has been a highly respected clinician and adjudicator and he has conducted many local and state honor bands and orchestras. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and the Washington Music Educators Association.

Music Director 1995-2003

Music Director Michael Mertens received his undergraduate degree in music from UCLA and masters degree in conducting from the University of Oregon. Active in the music education community of Southern California, he has participated in educational programs of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as state and national musical organizations. He also clinics and adjudicates in Southern California. Prior to his arrival at Valley College in 1995, he was a founding faculty member of the Hamilton High Academy of Music for Los Angeles City schools.



Featured Members



LAVC Scholarship Award Recipients

Robert Ross, a member of the band for four years, was recently accepted as a trumpet major to the USC Thorton School of Music and will be studying with Los Angeles Philharmonic member Boyd Hood. An integral member of the ensemble, Robert played first trumpet in the band, brass choir and brass quintet, as well as being a featured soloist on several occasions. In recognition of his developing musical talent and for his dedicated participation, the members of the LAVC Wind Ensemble presented Robert with a $250.00 scholarship. This year's scholarship was given in honor of long time alto sax member Sidney Beress, who passed away earlier in the year.

Tim Deuppen, a trombonist from Woodland Hills, played with the band for five years. Tim served as section leader, played in the brass choir and quintet, and was featured on several occasions as a soloist. Tim also played with the CSUN Youth Orchestra. Upon graduating from Taft High School, Tim, a recipient of an LAVC $300.00 scholarship, was also offered music scholarships to UCLA and University of Wisconsin, Madison. Tim, now a Bruin, plays in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Brass Choir and a host of other ensembles. This past summer, Tim was chosen to play in the very select All - American Collegiate Jazz Band at Disneyland.  

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