Music Director

LARRY KUNTZ JR.
Maestro Larry Kuntz Jr. has been the Music Director of the Hanover Symphony Orchestra since its inception in 1995. He holds degree in Music Education from Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania and VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. While at Mansfield, Larry Kuntz was a Presser Foundation Scholar, and his performance of the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto won first prize in the Kreusher Performance Scholarship Contest. Since graduating from VCM, he has compledted post-graduate work in conducting at VCM and at the University of South Carolina, where he participated in the prestigious Conductors’ Institute of south Carolina. In addition to his music studies, Kuntz also holds a Master of Education degree in educational administration from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

In addition to his duties with the HSO, Maestro Kuntz is also Music Director at Grace United Methodist Church in Hanover and he teaches music in local public schools. As an educator, Kuntz has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in America, and he has been the subject of a WITF - sponsored Great Teacher Essay written by one of his high school students - all on multiple occasions. Because he is a firm believer in the philosophy that the best music teachers are the ones who remain musically active themselves, Mr Kuntz maintains a rigorous performance schedule. He is a former member of the Hershey Symphony Orchestra in Hershey, PA and the Corning Philarmonic Orchestra in Corning, NY and he currently performs with the Black Rose Brass Quintet, the Grosse String Quartet, and the York Symphony Orchestra in York, PA. When not making music, Maestro Kuntz enjoys spending time with his wife Debbie, their three children, Scott, Trevor, and Olivia, and his loyal dog, Max.

Larry Kuntz is currently on sabbatical for the 2011 - 2012 Concert Season

INTERIM MUSIC DIRECTORS

SUSAN GROSS
Susan Gross is born and raised in Hanover. Susan has been conducting since her days at Hanover High School were she was Drum Major under the direction of Charles Brodie. She is a graduate of West Chester University where she earned a BS in Music Education, majoring in piano and minored in voice and clarinet, also continuing to study viola at West Chester. Susan was Drum Major of the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band and won a conducting competition to conduct the West Chester Symphony Orchestra at the Senior Recital. During this time, Susan also became the first woman and youngest conductor of the Lyric Band of Hanover. Later, Susan earned her MS Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Maryland College. She also holds an ESL degree from Wilkes University.

Susan has taught strings for 17 years and currently is teaching chorus and general music in the Spring Grove Area School District. She has also worked with several marching bands as Drill Instructor, Drill Designer, and Assistant Director.

Susan is a founding member of the Hanover Symphony Orchestra and has been the Assistant Director and Personnel Director since it's inception, she is also the Principal Violist. Susan is active in her church music programs at St Matthew's Lutheran Church., plays a wide variety of instruments and performs in many instrumental, singing, and theater groups in the area, but her greatest love is performing with her family Neal and Nicole most of all.

Brian Buterbaugh
Originally from Berks County, Brian Buterbaugh is serving as guest conductor for the Hanover Symphony Orchestra and is currently in his second year as the orchestra and choral director at Spring Grove High School in Spring Grove, PA. At Spring Grove, Brian directs the high school symphonic orchestra, two large group choirs, a select mixed choir and a vocal jazz ensemble.

In May 2010, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While at Penn State, Brian studied cello with Kim Cook and Carol Lyon. As a cellist, Brian has performed at venues such as Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia and Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has played with various orchestras and small ensembles throughout Pennsylvania, including the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra and the Hanover Symphony Orchestra.

As a conductor, Brian has studied with Dr. Christopher Kiver, Dr. O. Richard Bundy, Geraldo Edelstein, Gregory Woodbridge and Dr. Timothy Dixon. He has had the opportunity to conduct and work with top high school orchestras from across the state and, locally, the York Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Conducting at Messiah College.

Jamie Brown
Jamie Brown is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and is currently working toward a Masters of Music Education degree from Boston University.

She is currently the Director of Music at North Carroll High School for Carroll County Public Schools (MD). She has directed the concert bands, orchestra, jazz ensemble, marching band, and pit orchestras for the past seven years, and has directed the choirs for the past year. She has been a music teacher for Carroll County Public Schools for nine years. Mrs. Brown performs throughout the year as a flutist for the Lyric Band of Hanover. She is the choir director at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Hanover (PA) and the music director for the Encore Community Band in Carroll County (MD).