Andy Malovance, Musical Director
Andy Malovance entered the world of brass banding in 2005 when he played cornet with the international award winning Chicago Brass Band in his first North American Brass Band Championship. Currently assistant principal cornet of the CBB, Andy has performed and competed across the world. Highlights include performing as principal cornet at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands, winning first prize in the NABBA high brass technical solo contest in 2008 and 2010, and being awarded, “Most Outstanding Brass Soloist” at the 2013 US Open Brass Band Championships. In the Summer of 2019, Andy will serve as principal cornet with the Chicago Brass Band at the New Zealand Brass Band Championships. In addition to his work with the Chicago Brass Band, Andy is an active trumpeter/cornetist and active clinician in the Chicago area.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Music Education degree from DePaul University and a Masters in Music Education with emphasis in conducting at Colorado State University. His conducting teachers have included Rebecca Phillips, Wes Kenney, Rodney Dorsey, and James Kim. Andy is currently a band director at London Middle School in Wheeling, conductor for the McHenry County Youth Orchestra in Crystal Lake, and in 2019 is thrilled to be starting his tenure as music director of the Madison Brass Band.
Nathan Pierce, Conductor
Mr. Nathan J.W. Pierce is currently the Director of Bands at Milton High School where he conducts the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and numerous smaller chamber ensembles. He also gives 7th and 8th grade instrumental lessons at Milton Middle School. Before his appointment at Milton, Mr. Pierce taught at DeForest High School for three years, Baldwin-Woodville High School for five years, and in the Weston School District for two years. Mr. Pierce keeps active in the competitive high school marching band venue with his own school as well as having been on the staff of numerous high school marching bands throughout Wisconsin including Sauk Prairie High School, Columbus High School, and Stoughton High School. He has been selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers three times.
He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December of 1998. While at the university he studied trumpet with John Aley, studied conducting with James Smith, and played in numerous ensembles including the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, University Band, Brass Choir, and the Trumpet Ensemble. In addition, Mr. Pierce was a four-year member of the UW Marching Band.
Mr. Pierce keeps active as a performing musician around the Madison area as a member of the Madison Brass Band where currently serves as Assistant Music Director and has played Eb Soprano Cornet, Bb Cornet, Flugelhorn, BBb Bass, and Percussion. He also performs with the Madison Wind Ensemble where he has played Trumpet, Tuba, Percussion, and Baritone Saxophone. He has previously played both Tenor Horn and Bb Cornet with the Sheldon Theatre Brass Band in Red Wing, MN. Mr. Pierce serves on the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin School of Music Alumni Association as Vice President and chairman of the Scholarship Committee. In addition to conducting and playing with the Madison Brass Band, he has done several musical arrangements for the ensemble.
Mr. Pierce currently lives in DeForest, WI with his wife Amy and their dog Bucky.