2019 Colorado All-State Band 

JAY GEPHART

Jay S. Gephart joined the faculty of Purdue University in the fall of 1995 after completing 12 years as a public school band director. In July of 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure and in 2009 was promoted to Full Professor. In November, 2006, Professor Gephart was appointed Director of University Bands and currently serves as the Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras. He is the director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band the Purdue University Wind Ensemble. He is also coordinator of the concert band program. From 1995-2006, Professor Gephart served as the music director for the Purdue Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Artistic Director for the Kokomo, Indiana Park Band.

Professor Gephart received a Master of Music Degree in Tuba Performance with High Distinction from Indiana University in 1988 and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with Distinction from Indiana University in 1983. Under his direction, the Purdue Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra have shared the stage with some of the nation’s outstanding soloists and have represented Purdue at the Indiana Music Educators Association state convention on two occasions. In February of 2012 the Purdue Wind Ensemble performed a concert at the national convention of the American Bandmaster's Association, held in Indianapolis. Under his direction, the Wind Ensemble has also performed concerts in Chicago’s Symphony Center and in New York’s Carnegie Hall on two occasions.  

Under his direction the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band has traveled literally around the world. With recent performances in Beijing China, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland and La Feria de las Flores in Medellin, Colombia, the “All-American” Marching Band continues to serve as an ambassador for Purdue, the state of Indiana and the nation.   

RAY CRAMER

Ray E. Cramer holds degrees from Western Illinois University and the University of Iowa, Honorary Doctorates from Western Illinois University and the VanderCook College of Music.  In 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Professorship at the Musashino Academia of Musicae in Tokyo.

Ray E. Cramer was a member of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music faculty for 36 years.  As the Director of Bands the IU Wind Ensemble earned an international reputation for outstanding musical performances.

He is a past National President of the College Band Directors National Association and The American Bandmasters Association. He also served as president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association, the North Central Division of CBDNA and the Big Ten Band Directors Association. He was a member of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors for 20 years and was president 13 of those 20 years.  He is an Advisory Board member for the Japan Band Clinic and was elected as an Honorary Member of the Japan Band Directors Association in 2016.

Mr. Cramer has received numerous awards including the Edwin Franko Goldman award (2002), The MENC Lowell Mason Fellow Medallion (2003), Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor (2005), Bands of America Hall of Fame (2006), The Northshore Concert Band Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the 17th Japan Academic Society of Winds, Percussion and Band Award (2007), The Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts by the National Band Association (2008), the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) the National Band Association “Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors” (2009) and the CBDNA “Lifetime Achievement Award.” (2015)

Mr. Cramer remains actively involved in clinics and guest conducting engagements nationally and internationally. He serves as a regular guest conductor for the Musashino Academy of Music in Tokyo. (1990 to present)  He has conducted the Musashino Wind Ensemble on tours throughout Japan and two performances at the Midwest Clinic in 1995 and 2006.

He and his wife Molly of 53 years, reside in Colorado Springs