​Westminster College Instrumentalists Earn Top Placements in Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Honors Band

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Ten Westminster College instrumental musicians earned principal and first chair placement in March at the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Honors Band Festival. 

This collegiate honors band is the longest running ensemble of its type in the United States - 67 consecutive years. Of the 26 participating colleges and universities, Westminster has one of the smallest undergraduate enrollments.  For the festival, Westminster College had the second largest number of musicians.  What is more significant were the placements within various sections earned through chair auditions once the students arrived at the festival: 

• Kyle Grabigel - principal chair, tuba. Grabigel, a senior music education major, is a son of Gerald and Virginia Grabigel and a graduate of Mercer Area High School. 

• Cody Ortz - principal chair, trumpet. Ortz, a senior music education major, is a son of William and Connie Ortz of Petersburg, Ohio, and a graduate of Springfield Local High School. 

• Joey Bandi - first chair, third horn. Bandi, a freshman music education and music performance major, is a son of Joseph and Debbie Bandi of Imperial and a graduate of West Allegheny High School. 

• Linsey Clauser - first chair, second horn. Clauser, a freshman music education major, is a daughter of Robert and Dana Clauser of Schuylkill Haven and a graduate of Blue Mountain High School. 

• Liesl Groubert - first chair, second oboe and English horn. Groubert, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Trudi Todd and a graduate of East Palestine High School. 

• Laura Mink - second chair, third clarinet. Mink, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Randy and Patricia Mink of Imperial and a graduate of West Allegheny High School. 

• Brittanie Bell - third chair, first trombone. Bell, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Brian and Suzanna Bell of Imperial and a graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School. 

Jennifer Peet is the only piccolo player in the ensemble and as a result has a very significant placement.  Two senior percussion majors, Cody Floyd and Devin Greig, contributed exceptionally well to the percussion section and were highly praised by the guest conductor for their abilities.

Peet, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Robert and Sharon Peet of Pittsford, N.Y., and a graduate of Pittsford Sutherland High School.

Floyd, a senior music education major, is a son of Daniel and Lori Floyd of East Liverpool, Ohio, and a graduate of Beaver Local High School.

Greig, a senior music performance major, is a son of Richard and Tina Greig and a graduate of Mercer Area High School.

The band was conducted by Dr. John Lynch, director of bands at the University of Georgia.  The ensemble also premiered a brand new commission from renowned composer, Dana Wilson, composition faculty at Ithaca College. Dr. R. Tad Greig, chair of the department of music and director of instrumental activities, was on the Commissioning Committee that was responsible for contacting and contracting composers to write for the outstanding ensemble.

The Westminster Department of Music seeks to provide professional training to talented students who pursue careers as performers, teachers, church musicians, and scholars, and to offer experiences in music to all persons of the College and community, thereby enriching cultural backgrounds and developing musical skills. 

Contact Greig at 724-946-7279 or email for additional information.