GARY A. COOPER attended Lake Michigan College, Indiana University at South Bend, and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He has studied Trombone with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Klienhammer, Jay Friedman and Charles Vernon and has studied Voice with Margret Hillis and Thomas Hardy. Cooper has sung with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and has performed solo roles in Mahler's Eighth Symphony, Boris Godunov by Mussorsky, and Moses und Aaron by Arnold Schoenberg. He has worked under the direction of Sir George Solti, James Levine, Claudio Abbado and Margaret Hillis. He has performed as a soloist with the Southwestern Michigan Symphony, Elkhart Symphony as well as many ensembles throughout England and Europe. Gary Cooper is Artist in Residence in the St. Joseph Schools. He also teaches at Arts Center for the Salvation Army and teachers privately. He continues to perform as a Vocalist and Principal Trombonist with the St. Joseph Municipal Band and plays Principal Trombone in the Southwest Michigan Symphony and the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra. He performs with Opus Nine, a professional Renaissance Choral Sextet, and North American Brass Company. He is active as a clinician and soloist in the Midwest area.

Next the band feature the principal percussionist of the band, RONALD HULL, of Mishawaka, IN. Ronald Hull, percussion section leader of the band, is from Mishawaka, IN, and his experience includes 25 years playing in Symphony Orchestras, 30 years playing in the St. Joseph Municipal Band.  His private teaching has produced many student percussionists in the area over the past several years that have become members of the Band.  He has performed in Europe 6 times, and has played many Broadway shows when they have been in South Bend including shows with Carol Channing, John Davidson, Debbie Gibson and many others.   Mr. Hull plays in several idioms including Jazz, Rock, Show music and church music, and performs frequently with groups from South Bend and Chicago.    His is a clinician, consultant and adjudicator in Michigan and Indiana.  Mr. Hull has composed over 25 percussion ensemble compositions for middle school and high school groups.  He is a percussion arranger for the Lakeshore High School Marching Band as well as several other groups.   Mr. Hull is a Percussion Artist in Residence with the Lakeshore Schools and St. Joseph Schools and is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Andrews University."

Mr. Hull will perform "Concerto for Drum Set," by Carroll DeCamp.

Performing guests for the concert are St. Joseph High School Pom Pom Squads under the direction of Coach Christine Okon-Waterhouse.
The Junior Varsity Squad, will perform to Don't Stop by Hillary Duff and the Varsity Squad will perform to Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne.

The performers are: Allie Batson, Amanda Brown, Sarah Chancey, Ali Chinick, Ashley Conklin, Maggie Donley, Julie Flaherty, Lauren Gressley, Courtney Hester, Lindsey Kovarik, Maddie Kovarik, Alexa Kroonblawd, Morgan Lachman, Payton McFall, Megan McNitt, Nichole Warren

Both squads had a highly successful experience at at MidAmerican Pom Pom camp in Midland, Michigan this past July and in the end brought home some great trophies. The Varsity team earned a first in kickline, second in speed learning and a second with their original routine. The Junior Varsity squad earned seconds in all three categories. This is the first time in many years that the squad has competed at an inter-state level

Next comes a collage of college songs. The set performed will include the school songs of Notre Dame, Ohio State, Indiana, Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University.

The concert moves to a difficult but impressive composition by noted movie composer John Williams, "The Cowboys." This is followed by the traditional closer of the season, John Philip Sousa’s "Starts and Stripes Forever."

During the encore strains of "Auld Lang Syne," while director Moely thanks all that have made the season a success, and wishes everyone ‘well’ until the 2008 season begins on Sunday, June 28, 2008.