Thomas Hesch is a versatile musician, conductor, and educator whose efforts
have touched the lives
of thousands of people in Hawaii, the United States, and throughout the world.
He received numerous
honors while attending the University of Hawaii, and has performed at
national conventions of the
American School Band Directors Association, the College Band Directors
National Association,
and the Music Educators National Conference.
As a musician, Mr. Hesch performs several hundred times a
year on bass & tenor trombone, euphonium,
tuba and percussion with the Royal Hawaiian Band (founded in 1836 by
King Kamehameha III), the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, the Windward Brass Quintet, and
many other ensembles throughout Hawaii.
He has worked with many of Hawaii's top entertainers over the
years, including Gabe Baltazar,
Jimmy Borges, Keahi Conjugacion, Martin Denny, Loyal
Garner, Anita Hall, Amy Hanaialii, Danny Kaleikini, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Karen Keawehawaii,
Melveen Leed, Sean Naauao, Owana Salazar, Jordan Segundo, Jake Shimabukuro, and
Mihana Souza.
Mr. Hesch has also performed with
international recording artists Charlotte Church,
the Doobie Brothers, the Four Tops, Isaac Hayes, Gloria
Gaynor, James Ingram, Chaka Khan, Michael MacDonald, Monica Mancini, Elvis Presley,
Martha Reeves, Doc Severensen and Deneice Williams.
He has
performed in dozens of local and professional musical productions at Army
Community Theatre, Castle Performing Arts Center, Diamond Head Theatre, Hawaii
Opera Theatre, Kennedy Theatre, Leeward Community College Theatre, and Paliku
Theatre. Mr. Hesch continues to serve his country as a
citizen-soldier and non-commissioned officer with the 111th Army Band of the Hawaii National Guard.
Mr. Hesch is also a highly-regarded music
educator at President William McKinley High School in Honolulu, and has
received many accolades from school administrators, colleagues and parents throughout
Hawaii for his ability to bring out the best in students at the numerous
middle school, high school, and college music programs he continues to assist.
Mr. Hesch joined the Honolulu Community Concert Band as a
musician in 1996, and was appointed Musical Director in 2002. Under his leadership and guidance, the HCCB continues to enjoy an extended period of growth in
membership, funding levels,
musicianship, community service and public awareness, with performances in New
Zealand and Australia (including a sold-out performance
at the world-famous Sydney
Opera House), performances with professional vocal &
instrumental soloists, and the Honolulu
Symphony Chorus.
Ernest Taniguchi Laureate Conductor
Ernest Taniguchi holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary Music from the
University of Hawaii. He
has served as Band Director at Kahuku High School, and continues to serve as an Assistant Director of the Hawaii All-State Marching Band, which represented our State in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day, 2009.
He
also has served as musical director for productions at Army Community Theatre,
Castle Performing Arts Center, and Manoa Valley Theatre. Mr.
Taniguchi served as Musical Director of the HCCB from 1994
to 2001.
Donna Hesch Assistant Conductor
Donna Hesch holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Hawaii. She is the Band and Orchestra Director at President William McKinley High School. Ms. Hesch is
also a member of the
Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, the National Educators
Association,
the Music Educators National Conference,
the American String Teachers Association, the Hawaii Music Educators
Association, and the Oahu Band Directors Association.
Ms. Hesch is well respected in her field, having received local and national recognition of her efforts as a music educator.
She also performs with the Royal Hawaiian Band, and in theatrical productions at Army Community Theatre, Diamond Head Theatre, and Paliku Theatre.
Ms. Hesch has been a member of the HCCB since 1989.
Mark Minasian Assistant Conductor
David Mark Minasian holds a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Music and single subject teaching credentials in Music, Mathematics and Computer Science from the California State University at Chico, and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies (with distinction) and minor in Trumpet Performance from the Indiana University School of Music. He is an Associate Professor of Music at Leeward Community College.
From 1987-1990, Mr. Minasian toured internationally as Musical Director, arranger and trumpet soloist for the Shrine Circus. In July 1999, he was featured as a trumpet soloist and clinician at the national conference of the Australian Trumpet Guild, held in Sydney.
Locally, Mr. Minasian has performed, directed, and arranged music for theatrical productions at Manoa Valley Theatre, Army Community Theatre, Castle Performing Arts Center, Hawaii Pacific University, and Diamond Head Theatre. He has co-produced several local jazz festivals, and has directed the Hawaii All-State High School Jazz Ensemble.
Mr. Minasian has been a member of the HCCB since 1993. He is Principal Cornet, and is also the director of the Windward Brass Quintet .
