ALAMOSA – Dr. Kerry Hart has assumed the conducting responsibilities for the San Luis Valley Community Band. “There are some very outstanding musicians in the SLV Community Band,” Hart said. “It is an honor for me to be asked to serve as the conductor of this group.”

Hart replaces Mark Garberich, who is the current director of bands at Alamosa middle and high school. “Students in the Alamosa School District are fortunate to have Dr. Garberich as their instructor,” Hart said.

He added, that “Garberich is a phenomenal musician and an excellent conductor. I enjoyed playing under his leadership as a community band member and he has left some very big shoes to fill as conductor of this group.”

Conducting and the San Luis Valley are not new to Hart, who spent 26 years teaching music – including 10 years at Adams State University in the 1990s. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Metropolitan State College in Denver, and then both his master’s and doctoral degrees in music from the University of Northern Colorado. Hart also did additional graduate work in music at Indiana University, the Eastman School of Music, the University of North Texas, and the University of Colorado. He also studied conducting with the world-renowned conductor, Antonia Brico.

After leaving Adams State University in 2000, Hart spent 17 years in college administration. “As a faculty member, I dabbled in administration and when I went into administration, I dabbled in music,” Hart said.

Hart served as President of Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan, Colo. from 2008 -- 2017. His last music “dabbling” was a research project about the famous WWII Band Leader, Glenn Miller, who went to high school in Fort Morgan. The research became the basis for a documentary, “Glenn Miller, the Birthplace of His Music,” broadcast on PBS in December 2016. Hart served as both executive director and music supervisor for the documentary.

In addition to assuming the conducting responsibilities of the San Luis Valley Community Band, Hart will be teaching music on an adjunct basis at the Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus.

The SLV Community Band is open to and welcomes all who have experience playing in band. Those interested may contact Dr. Kerry Hart at 719-587-3342 or by email at [email protected]. Another contact is Terrie Webb at 303-246-2004 or by email at [email protected]