Jeffrey Bittner
Jeffrey Bittner serves as director of bands at Mahwah High School where he instructs the symphonic band, Marching Thunderbirds, chamber ensembles, and music theory classes. Bittner's education consists of a bachelor’s degree in performance and music education from William Paterson University, and a master’s degree in music performance from Ithaca College.
The Mahwah High School band has received superior ratings at local- and out-of-state festivals, gold ratings in the Region I Concert Band Festival, and performed twice as an honor band at the New Jersey State Gala Concert. The Mahwah Symphonic Band also performed at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, in May 2008.
Bittner began marching in drum corps on soprano with the Hawthorne Caballeros in 1994 and 1995. He marched soprano in the 1996 Cadets of Bergen County, where he performed in the Summer Olympics closing ceremonies in Atlanta, Ga. Bittner returned to the Caballeros as a mellophonist in 1997 and then joined the Syracuse Brigadiers as a mellophone soloist in 2001 and 2002. After a four-year hiatus, Bittner returned to the drum corps scene as a member of the Harrison Bushwackers from 2006–2009 where he was a mellophone soloist and a member of the brass staff.
Bittner's professional experience includes performances with the New Jersey Symphony, North Jersey Philharmonic, Five for Dinner Wind Quintet, and Ridgewood Concert Band. Bittner is a well-sought-after woodwind and brass clinician in the North Jersey area, teaching master classes and sectionals including clinics for Region I and Bergen County bands.
In spring 2011, Bittner served as interim band director of the William Paterson University Wind Ensemble. Also in 2011, Bittner coached and conducted the inaugural concert for the Region I Woodwind Chamber Ensemble. In 2008, Bittner served as conductor of the Bergen County High School Band, and in 2009, the Salem County High School Band. Bittner is a professional affiliate of the New Jersey Music Educators Association, North Jersey School Music Association, Music Educators of Bergen County Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and National Association for Music Education.
