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Meet The Administration Staff

Administration

Chris Parks, Director Mr. Parks is the Director of the Boston University Bands, which provides quality music opportunities for members of the Boston University community. Mr. Parks' has also been Director of Athletic Bands since 2001. In addition to the Athletic Bands, Mr. Parks conducts the Boston University Concert Band. Mr. Parks grew up in El Paso, Texas, where he attended the University of Texas at El Paso. After receiving his Bachelors of Music Education in El Paso, he moved to Boston to pursue his Masters in Trumpet Performance, which he completed in 1995. Upon graduating, Chris spent 5 years touring nationally and internationally with numerous Broadway musicals, including The King & I and The Sound of Music. He has toured with Marie Osmond and John Davidson and has performed with Julio Iglesias, Bobby Shew and Dizzy Gillespie. Mr. Parks has been a member of the faculty/staff of the Tanglewood Institute, the Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, The Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps and the Drum Major Academy.

Michael Barsano, Program Administrator Mr. Barsano hails from Douglas, Massachusetts and recently graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. While at UMass, Mr. Barsano played an integral role in the University's Residence Life Program serving as an Assistant Resident Director during his final year at the University. Having been involved with marching bands for most of his life, Mr. Barsano brings a wealth of experience to the BU Bands program. From 2002 through 2005, Mr. Barsano was a member of the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps winning the DCI World Championship with them in 2004. He was later invited to join their staff as a Visual Instructor and helped lead the Spartans to their 4th DCI title in 2007. In addition to his many appointments, Mr. Barsano also teaches with the well-known Shepherd Hill Marching Band from Dudley, Massachusetts.

Zach deVries, Graduate Assistant A native of Islip Terrace, New York, Zachary deVries received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, where he is currently a Master of Music candidate in Music Education. His musical endeavors have placed him on stage with Philip Smith, Joseph Alessi, Stanley Drucker, Carol Wincenc, and Pat Sheridan. In his thirteen-year career as a tubist, Zachary has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Symphony Hall, as well as Madison Square Garden, Shea Stadium and Fenway Park. At Boston University, Zachary is the Graduate Assistant for the Boston University Bands, which provides music-making opportunities for over 450 non-music majors from 11 colleges at the University. As the Graduate Assistant, Zachary serves as the assistant conductor for the Concert Band, Pep Band, Scarlet Band and works on the artistic and musical staff of the Marching Band. Zachary completed his student teaching in the Wellesley Public Schools where he conducted the award winning Wellesley High School Wind Ensemble and 2:00 Jazz Band. In the summer of 2008, Zachary served as the teaching assistant for the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Tuba/Euphonium Workshop. Zachary currently studies with Mike Roylance, principal tubist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Zachary’s past teachers include tubists Bill Troiano, Willie Clark, and Pat Sheridan as well as conductors David Martins and William McManus.

Justin Mitnik, Graduate Assistant Justin M. Mitnik recently finished his 7th tour as the featured trombonist in the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway musical: BLAST and BLAST II: MIX! He has performed as a soloist in over 19 cities in Japan, London England, and coast-to-coast in America. Justin also has performed principally with the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, and Salisbury Symphony Orchestra. He is also active performing in various Brass bands, quintets, and ensembles throughout the country. Justin brings to BU his vast knowledge of performing, but also his extensive experience as an educator. He received his B.M. from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a K-12 MA Certification in teaching. He has instructed drum corps since 2000. He has taught the Spartans Drum Corps and led them to 3 world championships along with the Connecticut Hurricanes Senior Drum and Bugle Corps. Justin has also instructed and held clinics with many local marching bands in New England. He has been the Assistant Director of the UMass Lowell Mary-Jo Leahey Summer Band Camp and also teaches many private students.