Geller Scholarship Concerts Presents: A PREformance by Paris Hill

Join us for a Geller Scholarship “PREformance” with Paris Hill. 

Sunday, August 24th | 3:00 PM

This event honors the legacy of Herb Geller, whose influence lives on through the talents of his son Jeff and through the Herb Geller Memorial Scholarships, which support graduating seniors from VVS and RFA pursuing music degrees.

Admission is free – voluntary donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Geller Scholarship Fund.

Paris Hill Biography:

Trumpet – Brian Picente is the principal trumpet of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet. Brian is a former band director and runs a private music studio out of his home. As an active community musician, Brian can also be seen performing with La Banda Rossa, the Floyd Community Instrumental Ensemble, the New Hartford Citizens Band, and many other local performing groups.

Trumpet – Henryk Lotyczewski grew up in Palmyra. NY., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master’s Music Education from Nazareth College. For the past 20 years Henryk has been an Instrumental Music Teacher at the Sauquoit Valley Central School District in Sauquoit, NY., where his responsibilities include instrumental and general music in grades 5-8, and the Sauquoit Jazz Band. As a trumpet and French horn player, Henryk plays in the Paris Hill Brass Quintet and plays in musical pit orchestras throughout the year. Henryk interests include baseball, outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife, Jessica and dog, Carl in Sauquoit.

French Horn – Robert Verkuyl – Originally trained in classical performance in Los Angeles, hornist Robert Verkuyl has developed a versatile repertoire that spans orchestral and chamber literature, in classical as well as pop genres. Bob has extensive symphonic experience, with such esteemed conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas and Maurice Abravanel.  He also played in the main showrooms of casinos in Reno and Lake Tahoe, supporting headliners Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Clooney and many others.  His wind ensemble experience includes the Columbia Brass Band, performing 19th-century military and park music in the gold rush country of Northern California.  In addition to his performance career, Bob enjoys his opportunities to teach and coach brass ensembles. A founding member of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet, Bob has enjoyed playing in a brass quintet everywhere he’s landed. 

Trombone –  Richard China is the Band Director and Middle School Drama Club Director at Clinton Central School District in Oneida County, where he has taught for the past 10 years. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose. An active trombonist, he performs in local pit orchestras, concert bands, and marching bands. He’s also involved with Rome Community Theatre and the Rome Capitol Theatre as both a musician and actor.

Tuba – Dana Jerrard’s first instrument was trombone, but for the past 30 years he has performed as a Dixieland tuba player for groups such as The Clef Dwellers, North Country Preservation Jazz Band and the Gutbucket Five. As a trombonist, he has played a wide range of musical styles, from the horn band sound of Soul Injection, to the big band sound of the Stage Music Big Band, the classical repertoire of the Utica Symphony, and musical pit orchestras for area shows and touring productions.