Gregory Snyder

Biography

Gregory Snyder is conductor of the newly-formed Nashville Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE), providing an intensive musical opportunity, and a deep study of iconic wind band literature for some of Middle Tennessee’s finest high school musicians. He mentors band directors, coaching them in conducting and rehearsal techniques. He guest conducts and holds clinics for band programs in Nashville, and across the U.S., and  is on staff at Antioch High School, Antioch, Tenn. An adjunct professsor for Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Bowling Green, Ohio, Mr. Snyder coaches and advises BGSU masters candidates. At Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn., he is also an adjunct professor, teaching Brass Methods and supervising student teachers. He is also a Central States Judges Association of America (CSJA) adjudicator. Mr. Snyder is director of bands emeritus, Lakota West High School, West Chester, Ohio. He taught and conducted high school band for 35 years, teaching 27 years in Lakota—9 years at Lakota High School, and 18 years at Lakota West High School where he grew the instrumental program from 100 students in grades 9 – 12 to more than 800 district-wide. Symphonic Winds earned a nearly-unprecedented three invitations to the internationally-acclaimed Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago, Ill.). The Marching Firebirds earned more than 75 grand champion awards and numerous accolades, including performing twice in the iconic Tournament of Roses Parade (Pasadena, Calif.), and in the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (New York, N.Y.).

From 1988-2015, Mr. Snyder led the Lakota/Lakota West High School bands to success in performance and victory in competition. For two decades, Lakota/Lakota West students were awarded the most positions in OMEA All-State Ensembles each year. Not only did the Lakota West program grow to a nearly-unprecedented seven concert bands, but the top three ensembles performed in state competition in classes AA and A, earning superior ratings annually. 

Chairing many Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA)-adjudicated events, including Ohio All-State Band, he also served as All-State chair. He is past-president of OMEA, District XIII. Prior to his tenure at Lakota, Mr. Snyder e served as assistant director for five years and director of bands for three years in the Clyde-Green Springs School District, Clyde, Ohio.

Mr. Snyder is an elected member of the exclusive American Bandmasters Association. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Bowling Green State University in  2014. In recognition of his accomplishments and “extraordinary success,” the Ohio State House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate officially commended him in 2014. Mr. Snyder crafted a proprietary program on how to develop musicians through chamber music, presenting how-to-style clinics at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the OMEA State Conference. He is recognized as a visionary on the topic, penning an article for the TRIAD professional journal, Chamber Playing’s Impact: Bringing Your Students out of the Audible Shadow. The program is also featured in The Conductor’s Companion (pub. Meredith Music Publications) by Gary Stith.

Prior to earning a master of music education degree in 1985 from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, Mr. Snyder earned a bachelor of music degree from Bowling Green State University in 1980. He acquired additional post-graduate work from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, Miami University and Boston University. Mr. Snyder is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Tennessee Music Education Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

Mr. Snyder and his wife Sandra live in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Sandra is the Nashville First Baptist Church director of communications. They have two sons: Alexander is a band director at Grassland Middle School in Franklin, Tenn.; his wife Ashlinn is the Nashville Symphony development programs manager. Adam is an attorney for Stroock, Stroock & Lavan in Los Angeles, Calif.

For more information, go to GregSnyderBand.com.