About the Conductor
William H. Silvester
William H. Silvester has a wide range of experience as a performer,
conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and music educator. His background
includes many years in the public schools at all levels; and, as a
college band director, he has appeared as a guest conductor throughout
the United States, Canada, and Europe. Just some of the ensembles he
has conducted include the Russian Army Band, The US Army Band, The US
Army Field Band, the Marine Band, The Swiss National Youth Band and
numerous other professional and college ensembles. Dr. Silvester is a
member of the prestigious panel of adjudicators for the World Music
Festival in Schladming, Austria, where he adjudicates and clinics
ensembles from throughout the world.
On a recent international concert tour Dr. Silvester conducted to
standing-room-only audiences throughout England and Wales in such
prestigious halls as the Royal Opera House (Trent), the Royal Ballet
(York) and Bridgewater Hall (Manchester.) In another similar concert
tour, he conducted in sold-out performances at the famed Konzerthaus in
Vienna, Austria, concert location for the Vienna Philharmonic, and
other marvelous venues throughout Austria including Haag, Linz, Bad
Ischel, and Salzburg.
Dr. Silvester is a published arranger with over 35 works to his credit.
His arrangements of Aaron Copland's Old American Songs for Boosey &
Hawkes have been recorded by The US Army Field Band and Soldier's
Chorus and many other professional ensembles. His most recent
transcription for Boosey & Hawkes (Cotillon) is featured in their
Windependence Series and has been included in the GIA series, Teaching
Musicianship through Band Performance. Dr. Silvester is also featured
as an author in this same series and his transcriptions appear on the
University of North Texas’ album of Ralph Vaughan Williams works. Dr.
Silvester’s transcriptions of Christmas Carols for Masters Music
Publications, Inc., the wind and percussion arm of Kalmus, have been
performed and recorded by ensembles throughout the world.
In addition to conducting the Eastern Wind Symphony, Dr. Silvester
conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting and music education
classes at The College of New Jersey. He is also a member of the
prestigious American Bandmasters Association and serves as the
permanent conductor of All American Youth in Concert, European touring
ensemble.