Ed Lisk 2007-08 Endowed Chairholder in Music Education

Edward S. Lisk is an internationally recognized clinician, conductor, and author. He is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Music with graduate studies at Ithaca School of Music, Syracuse University, and Oswego State University. He is the former Director of Bands and K-12 Music Supervisor for the Oswego City School District in Oswego, New York. Under his direction, the Oswego High School Wind Ensemble was recognized for its musical excellence with performances at most national instrumental conferences and had the privilege of being conducted by most of the nation's distinguished conductors and composers.

Mr. Lisk was recently honored and elected to the prestigious National Band Hall of Fame for Distinguished Conductors. This is considered to be the very highest honor any band director can ever receive in their lifetime. The National Band Hall of Fame for Distinguished Conductors is housed in a magnificent facility made available by Troy State University in Alabama. Mr. Lisk's installation will be February 2, 2008.

Mr. Lisk is an inducted member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and in the year 2000, served as the 63rd President of this distinguished organization founded by Edwin Franko Goldman. He has an active guest-conducting schedule that includes all-state bands, honor bands, university, and professional bands. He has served as guest conductor for the U.S. Air Force Band, Australian Wind Symphony, U.S. Interservice Band, U.S. Army Field Band and the U.S. Army Band "Pershing’s Own." In 1992, he had the distinguished honor of conducting the world premiere performance of the first American Bandmasters Association's commissioned composition Endurance, by Timothy Mahr with the United States Interservice Band at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Mr. Lisk was selected to guest conduct the 175th Anniversary Concert of the Allentown Band, which featured several prominent conductors who had a significant impact on the band world during the past fifty years.

Recognized as a national leader for school band programs, rehearsal/instructional techniques, and school reform issues, his state, and national presentations continue to serve directors in building and improving band programs. Since 1985, Mr. Lisk has served as an adjunct professor, appeared as a clinician/lecturer, adjudicator, and guest conductor throughout 45 states and 5 Canadian Provinces. In 1990, he traveled to Australia and presented sessions for the Australian National Band and Orchestra Clinic in Perth, Melbourne, and Sidney.

In 1991, he was selected by the New York State Education Department to coauthor the New York State Standards for Arts and Humanities. He also served on New York State's first School Quality Review Team in 1993, which was responsible for assessing the quality of teaching and learning in New York State schools. He is the author of The Creative Director Series (8 pub.) published by Meredith Music Publications and a coauthor of the highly acclaimed 6-volume publication by GIA, entitled Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Carl Fischer Music Publishers recently released his editions of On The Mall March, The ABA March, Bugles and Drums March, and Onward-Upward March as part of the Edwin Franko Goldman March Series.

Mr. Lisk is an appointed member of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and serves the John Philip Sousa Foundation as Vice-president for Administration. He is a past-president of the National Band Association ('90-'92) and served NBA as Executive Secretary Treasurer ('97-'02). In 1978 he was one of the original founders of the New York State Band Directors Association. He holds membership in several professional associations and is an International Honorary Member of Phi Beta Mu. He has received many distinguished awards including: the Sudler Order of Merit of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, New York State Band Directors Association "Outstanding Band Director Award" ('95), the "Key" to the City of Oswego ('91), Oswego School District "Administrator of the Year" ('89), Phi Delta Kappa "Area Educator of Year" ('83), Oswego Classroom "Teacher of the Year" ('74 & '83), A.R. McAllister "Distinguished Bandmaster of America" ('83), Greater Oswego Chamber of Commerce "Civic Award" ('80), National Band Association "Citation of Excellence," and is listed in recent editions of Who's Who in American Education.

[Back]