The Hawai`i Pacific University Band is comprised of instrumentalists from Hawaii and abroad, all of whom must audition for entry. Providing the musical spirit at HPU women's volleyball and men's basketball games, the Sea Warrior Pep Band knows how to motivate fans and athletes with their rousing renditions of Pep Band tunes. Scholarships are available for incoming HPU students as well as continuing band members.
A select jazz/wind ensemble is taken from the larger group. These students must pass secondary performance criteria and be willing to put in extra rehearsal time. They prepare more difficult and challenging music for distinguished audiences and in official capacities as musical representatives of the University. The bands are under the direction of Dr. Joseph M. Ruszkowski.
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| Symphonic Band, 2012-2013 |
Partial tuition waivers are available for qualified students. Live auditions will be by appointment. Please call 544-0891 to schedule an interview. Videotape auditions will be accepted. Before you audition you must be accepted into the University. HPU Sea Warrior Band: Audition Information 2013-2014
Director of Bands
Joseph M. Ruszkowski, Ph.D.
Dr. Joseph M. Ruszkowski is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Hawaii Pacific University. He is the former Assistant Professor of Music Technology at the University of Hawaii, and has been an instructor in various capacities, including Student Teacher Supervisor and Assistant Director of Jazz Band, at UH since 2003.
Dr. Ruszkowski taught at Honolulu Waldorf Schools from 2004-2012, and taught at Kamehameha Schools Performing Arts Academy from 2007-2010. He has an extensive body of scholarly writing in the fields of music technology and music education, as well as several journal publications in the field of music and medicine. He is also an active music producer, engineer and clinician, and his works have received numerous awards, including the 2009 Hawaii Music Awards Classical Album of the Year as producer and engineer.
Before moving to Hawaii in 2001, Dr. Ruszkowski was the Director of Bands at Ocean City High School in New Jersey where he taught a variety of 9-12 classes including marching band, concert band, jazz band, jazz improvisation, music theory, music appreciation, piano, and recording. Prior to this, he was the Director of Music at Manchester Township High School in Lakehurst, New Jersey, where he was director of bands, choir director and director of musicals. He is a 1990 graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, a 1993 graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Master of Music degree, and a 2006 graduate of the University of Hawaii with a Ph.D. in Music.
Contact: jruszkowski@hpu.edu or (808) 544-0891
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Student Conductor |
