Soloists 2

  Craig Bartholomew is a former band teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Michigan State University and taught as a band instructor in the Flint area for 8 years. While at MSU he participated in the MSU Marching Band, the MSU Wind Ensemble, the MSU Symphonic Band, and the Spartan Brass. He studied euphonium with the great Leonard Falcone. Craig was an Adult and Community Education Director for 12 years and Principal at Climax-Scotts Community Schools for 2 years. He is now Principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Hickory Corners (MI). Craig now has two Masters Degrees: Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MSU) and Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership (CMU). His son and daughter are studying to become optometrists at MSU, but Craig comes from a musical family. His father and sister both have music degrees and are former band directors. Craig and his wife, Janet, live in Battle Creek. He played a challenging euphonium solo called Atlantic Zephyrs for the July 26 concert in 2006. This year, he will play Corinthian Polka.

  Frank Jess lives in Kalamazoo. He retired from General Motors Corporation in 1993 after 35 years if service as a die maker. He plays French horn with the Kalamazoo Concert Band, Kellogg Community College Concert Band, Kalamazoo Valley Community College Concert Band, Quintessence Woodwind Quintet, Ein Prosit German Band, and Blue Lake International Adult Band. Frank will be leaving for Germany and France to tour with the last band mentioned in June and July for two weeks. Frank can play an assortment of different harmonicas, the alphorn, Eb alto horn, and the didgeridoo. This year , Frank will take the stage alone to perform an alphorn solo.

   Kathleen Warriner taught middle school band classes for Marshall Public Schools for six years. She is now Director of the Albion and Marshall divisions of the Music Center of South Central Michigan, based in Battle Creek. She has taught private clarinet lessons for many years and has previously worked for Battle Creek Catholic schools, Lakeview and Pennfield Public schools and taught lessons at the Community Music School of Battle Creek. She graduated with honors from Central Michigan University, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Instrumental Music major, Clarinet performance minor and is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education degree. She has performed with the Marshall Community Band, the Kalamazoo College & Community Orchestra, many civic theatre productions, and is the music director for the upcoming Marshall Civic Production of Aladdin, Jr. During her college career, she was a member of the Central Michigan University Wind Ensemble for three years, and performed with them in Chicago, Illinois and New York City, Carnegie Hall. She also performed with the C.M.U. Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinetist and served as section leader for the Marching Chippewas. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity. She resides in Marshall with her husband, Greg, and children, Devon (12) and Andrew (8). She is also an active school parent volunteer and Girl Scout Troop Leader.

  George Pendill is a native of Battle Creek and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School. George attended the Navy School of Music in Washington D.C. While stationed with the Fifth Army Band at Fort Sheridan, Illinois he studied clarinet with the second clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony. He served for over two years with the United States Army Pacific Band in Honlulu, Hawaii. George returned to Battle Creek to work for Clark Equipment Company for 21 years. He is currently semi-retired, but he teaches clarinet, saxophone, piano, and flute at Calladine’s in Battle Creek and the Music Facotry in Marshall. George is the Choir Director at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Battle Creek and plays with Dick Day’s Jumpin’ Jacks, The Dick Day Duo, and the New Superior Jazz Band. In 2008, George will play Lightning Fingers composed by the great Henry Filmore. George is a member of the Marshall Community Band Board of Directors, and helps alot behind the scenes with music collection and sorting.