Scott Tomlison, Director of Gem City Bands
Dr. R. Scott Tomlison serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. His duties include supervising student teachers, teaching methods courses, applied trumpet lessons, and conducting courses. Prior to his appointment at Mercyhurst, Scott was the Director of Bands at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. His responsibilities included instrumental conducting, teaching music education courses, and supervising student teachers. He has taught public school music for a total of nine years, including appointments at Poplar Bluff High School (Missouri), Gallatin Co. High School (Kentucky), Grant Co. High School (Kentucky), and Miami East High School (Ohio).

In addition to his McPherson appointment, Scott's previous collegiate experience includes Director of Bands at Manchester College, Assistant Conductor of the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, as well as drill writer for “Marching Mizzou” and the Murray State University Marching Band. While at Missouri and Murray State, Scott was active as a jazz performer and conducted the second and third jazz ensembles at both institutions. In 1985-86 he marched with the prestigious drum corps, Star of Indiana, and became Brass Instructor and Brass Caption Head with Limited Edition from Columbus, Ohio in 1989-1991.

Scott has served as adjudicator/clinician in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kansas. He holds a B.M.E. Degree from Eastern Kentucky University, an M.M.E. degree from Murray State University, and a Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His professional Affiliations include Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, International Association for Jazz Education, College Band Directors National Association, Judges Association of Mid-America, and Phi Mu Alpha. A native of Kentucky, Scott lives in Erie with his wife Amy.

 

Ned Trautman, Assistant Director of the Jazz Ensemble
Ned Trautman is originally from Lebanon, PA where he graduated from Lebanon High School. While in high school he played in the marching and concert bands, the orchestra and the Lebanon High Swingsters, a very respected high school jazz band. Ned graduated from Penn State in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While at Penn State, he played in the symphony orchestra, the concert band, the Penn State Marching Blue Band and the Penn Statesmen, a jazz band that played throughout the State College area and around the state at numerous PMEA functions and jazz festivals. Ned was also the music director for the Penn State Thespians, producing several musicals each year. In addition to his work with the Thespians, the State College Community Theatre used his talents both in the pit as a player and a director. He began working on his masters degree at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado and later transferred to Edinboro State University where he completed a Master of Education in Music in 1972.

Ned began his teaching career at Cameron County High School located in Emporium, PA. In 1971 he moved to the Erie area to teach in the Millcreek Township School District. During his tenure in Millcreek he taught instrumental music, including band and string orchestra at James S. Wilson Middle School, as well as, serving as the assistance director of the McDowell Marching Band from 1973 through 1978. After 35 years of public school teaching, Ned retired in 2004 and is now spending his time as a guide at the Erie Maritime Museum and the USS Brig Niagara, traveling and visiting his two sons who were wise enough to move south.

In addition to teaching, Ned has been active in various musical groups in the Erie area at times serving as the director of the East Erie Turners Concert Band and the Zem Zem Brass Band. He also has played with the Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania and the “40’s Plus,” a swing band from Corry.

Brett Woomer, Assistant Director of the Concert Band
Brett Woomer was born and raised in Huntingdon, PA. He attended Huntingdon Area High School where he sang in the school choir and played euphonium, trombone, and tuba in concert band, marching band, and the Huntingdon County Community Band. After high school, Brett continued to study music at The Pennsylvania State University. While at Penn State, he studied euphonium privately with Mark Lusk and Marty Erickson and was a member of the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Penn State Marching Blue Band, Brass Choir, Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, Bottoms Up Quartet, and the Glee Club. Brett was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where he served as historian and chaired the service committee. On the side, he was a house manager for the Centre for the Performing Arts and Pennsylvania Centre Stage, and played electric bass in the blues band, Wang Dang Doodle. Brett graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Education, also at Penn State

Brett was formerly the director of bands in the Port Allegany School District and currently teaches general music and conducts the bands and string orchestra at James S. Wilson Middle School in the Millcreek Township School District . He has conducted ensembles at adjudication festivals in Toronto, New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Sandusky, OH . He was also a co-presenter at the National Association of Biology Teachers' national conference in Reno, where his students gave a cross-curricular performance titled “DNA Ditties.” Brett plays euphonium in the Gem City Concert Band.