More member bios Clifford has performed in a variety of musical groups through the years, and currently plays bass trombone with the Oswego City Band, the Skaneateles Brass, the Do Good Swing Band and the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble. A native of Pittsburgh, he moved to central New York in 1997 from Portland, Oregon. Clifford is a management accountant at the Interface Solutions Inc. plant in Fulton and lives in Syracuse with his wife and family. |
 Rob Enslin has enjoyed a rich and varied career in music and communications. Since 2004, he has served as the communications manager of The College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University, where he oversees media relations, publications, and special events. From 2001-04, he held a similar position at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. During the 1990s, Rob served as a record producer and music executive in Atlanta for Intersound Inc., then one of the world's largest independent record companies. In this capacity, he produced five "gold" albums and dozens of chart-topping classical and crossover albums; created some of the industry's first Enhanced CDs; and promoted a variety of classical, jazz, rock, and country projects. As a trombonist, Rob has played with or opened for James Brown, Parliament/Funkadelic, David Grusin, "Doctor" Lonnie Smith, and countless others, as well as performed with many concert bands and orchestras, including the National Repertory Orchestra and Orchestra Atlanta. As a journalist, he has written hundreds of album liner notes, film and album reviews, and magazine/newspaper profiles of notable musicians, dancers, artists, writers, and filmmakers. An amateur composer, he supports new music and music education by serving on the boards of various arts organizations. |
 John McDivitt is a trombonist and Chair of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble Board. He was introduced to the trombone at age 11 in Franklin Grove, Illinois and traveled to Chicago in his teens for lessons at Lyon & Healy. He attended Drake University and then served four years as a U.S. Navy Musician in Washington D. C. and in the Cincpac Fleet Admiral's Band in Hawaii and the Far East. John, a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Commerce, was initially employed by General Electric and then pursued a twenty-eight year career in investments with ONBANK in Syracuse. He retired in 1995 as a Certified Financial Planner and V.P. Trust Division. He is married to Margaret and they have two grown children, Jane M. Smith and Mark McDivitt. Yes, four grandchildren! John's pursuits include watercolor painting, golf, swimming and primarily playing the trombone in several Central New York groups: Rhythm-Airs "Big Band",concert bands, Slideways Trombone Quartet, Mellow Brass Quintet, and a church orchestra. He has been a Board member of Signature Band & Choir Camp, Syracuse Rotary Foundation, and a Trustee of University United Methodist Church. He is still a member of its choir from which he spotted his future wife, Margaret some years ago. |
Jim received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Eastman School of Music and an MBA in Finance from Syracuse University. He studied trombone under John Iannotta, Emory Remington, Donald Knaub, and Bill Harris. He also studied percussion under Ernest Muzquiz and Herb Flower. Jim has played in various ensembles including the following: Eastman Trombone Choir, Stan Colella Big Band, various church music ensembles (trombone and drums), Skaneateles Brass (1998-2001), and SUBE (Trombone/Percussion, 2004 to present). Jim is a member of Local 78 Ð American Federation of Musicians Ð Syracuse, NY. In his profession, Jim has been a consulting actuary in the retirement benefits (pension/healthcare) field for over 25 years. He is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries' Multiemployer Pension Plans Subcommittee. |
 Paul Sherman is an artist and teacher at Fulton High School in Fulton, NY, with special interests in ceramics, sculpture, and drawing. He earned a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University in 1970. He was self-employed as a potter at a studio in LeRoy, NY. He earned an M.F.A. in Ceramic Art and Sculpture from the School of American Craftsman at Rochester Institute of Technology in 1986 and received his teaching certification from SUNY Buffalo in 1987 and taught since then at Fulton HS. Paul has received numerous awards for sculpture, and his work appears in five books on ceramics and sculpture and in several art magazines. Pieces of his work reside in both private and university collections. Paul has a hobby Ð a passion Ð for playing Medieval and Renaissance Music on period instruments. |
 Erica Sponsler started taking piano lessons when she was seven, and joined her school band a few years later. Since then she has learned to play violin and a large variety of percussion instruments including drum set and hammer dulcimer. Erica expanded her musical talents by playing in several bands and musical groups through high school. She is very happy to be a part of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble where she can continue to play percussion. Currently attending Syracuse University for Computer Science, Erica is one of two current students who are members of the Brass Ensemble. |