2011 DIAMOND MARCHING BAND STAFF
 |
Matthew Berntsen, Teaching Assistant |
From Perkasie Pennsylvania, Matthew Berntsen graduated from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Bassoon Performance. During his undergraduate career, Matthew studied bassoon with Arthur Weisberg and William Ludwig. Also, he was the principal bassoonist in the Symphonic Band. Matthew's secondary instrument is the saxophone, and he was a member of the Indiana University Marching Hundred for two years.
Prior to college, Matthew was musically active in the Philadelphia area. While studying bassoon with Shirley Curtiss, he performed with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, and was part of the Settlement Music School.
Matthew is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Music Education at Temple University, where he is entering his second year of study and second year as a graduate assistant to the Temple University Diamond Bands. After he completes studies at Temple, Matthew will pursue a career as a music teacher in the public schools, and perhaps further down the road, a career in higher education.
 |
Jeff Molush, Teaching Assistant |
Born and raised just outside of Philadelphia in Lower Merion, Jeff Molush graduated in the spring of 2010 with his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Temple University with a concentration in trombone. During his undergraduate career, Jeff was principal trombone in the Wind Ensemble and Collegiate Band, first trombone in the Lab Jazz Band, and a member of the Wind Symphony. He also performed in the Diamond Marching Band for four years, including two years as trombone section leader and one year as a Field Technician. While at Temple, Jeff studied for three years with Paul Bryan.
Prior to studies with Bryan, Jeff previously studied with Tom Elliott, a graduate from the Curtis Institute. Jeff is also a brother of Temple's chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where he has served as Music Director and Alumni Relations Officer. Currently, he is the Secretary and Treasurer of Broad Street Line A Cappella, Temple's only all-male a cappella group. Jeff is entering his second year of pursuing his Masters degree in Music Education and hopes to teach in the Philadelphia suburbs upon graduating.
Outside of Temple, Jeff spent four years playing in The Philadelphia Sinfonia Youth Orchestra as principal trombone. He has also performed with the rock bands Weezer and MeWithoutYou. Jeff is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, knows far too much about Star Wars, and enjoys playing basketball, reading, and arranging music in his spare time.
 |
David Payne, Diamond Marching Band Announcer |
David Payne is a 1985 Temple University graduate with a B..A. in Communications. He first served as Diamond Band Announcer as a student during the 1984 season. David also served as Announcer on an interim basis in the years since graduation, and accepted the position full-time in 2002. David has also lent his voice to the Temple University Collegiate Band and Wind Ensemble, performing narrations to Jack Stamp's Canticle in 2007, and Of Sailors and Whales by W. Francis McBeth in 2008. A Philadelphia native, David currently lives in Harrisburg.