Conductors
Doug Dougherty
Music Director and Principal Conductor
Douglas A. Dougherty received his AAS degree in Music from Onondaga Community College and B.M. Music Education with Performance Honors (magna cum laude) from Syracuse University. He also attended Louisiana State University and did graduate work at Elmira College, Ithaca College and the University of Hartford. Doug spent 33 years in public school education conducting bands at all levels in the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, as well as conducting the Jazz Band and an award winning Parade Marching Band. In addition to his position as Conductor of The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie, he conducts and serves as president of the Johnstown Citizens Band. As a trumpet player, his performance credentials include the Mohawk Valley Symphony, The Schoharie Valley Concert Band, The FMCC Concert Band, Gloversville Civic Band, SUNY Albany Graduation Band, Pit orchestra of the Scotia-Glenville Central School Drama productions and Principal Trumpet and soloist with the Memorial Band since 2004. He has also performed at numerous church functions and weddings in the area. Doug is a member of “Bugles Across America”, a volunteer organization which provides a live rendition of ”Taps” for funerals of deceased veterans. Doug volunteers at the James A. Brennan Humane Society in Gloversville, NY.
Arthur Himmelberger
Associate Conductor
Art Himmelberger has been associated with the music program at Marist College since January, 1986. Before joining the Marist faculty, he served for 23 years as an U.S. Army musician in Washington, D.C. and West Point, N.Y. At West Point he was a senior non-commissioned officer (Sergeant Major) of the West Point Band, percussionist, major musical events producer, Army football half-time show designer and member of the United States Military Academy's Bicentennial Task Force. Additionally, he designed half-time entertainment for several nationally televised NFL championship football games. He performed extensively throughout all 48 contiguous United States, Europe, and Japan.
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, he received his M.Ed. degree and administrator's certificate from Temple University. He also completed the U.S. Army's Bandmaster and Administrator courses. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, MENC, NYSSMA, PMEA, ACB, CBDNA and the Windjammers. Art is the Immediate Past President of the Association of Concert Bands.
As Director of Bands at Marist, Art established the instrumental music program and assisted in the overall development and improvement of the entire music curriculum. He maintained his full-time role at West Point until 2002. In 2002 he retired from the Army and was appointed Director of the Music Department at Marist. He now oversees all orchestral, choral, and academic offerings of the department, and kindly promotes his fondness for music with The Memorial Concert Band, where he has been our Associate Conductor since 2007.
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, he received his M.Ed. degree and administrator's certificate from Temple University. He also completed the U.S. Army's Bandmaster and Administrator courses. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, MENC, NYSSMA, PMEA, ACB, CBDNA and the Windjammers. Art is the Immediate Past President of the Association of Concert Bands.
As Director of Bands at Marist, Art established the instrumental music program and assisted in the overall development and improvement of the entire music curriculum. He maintained his full-time role at West Point until 2002. In 2002 he retired from the Army and was appointed Director of the Music Department at Marist. He now oversees all orchestral, choral, and academic offerings of the department, and kindly promotes his fondness for music with The Memorial Concert Band, where he has been our Associate Conductor since 2007.
Laura Jacaruso
Assistant Conductor
Laura Jacaruso received her B.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2009 and her M.M. in Music Education from University of Hartford (Hart School of Music) in 2013. During her education, Laura studied horn with Alexander Shuhan and conducting with Mark Fonder and Elizabeth Peterson. She also attended conducting masterclasses, learning valuable conducting skills from Stephen Peterson, Mallory Thompson, Anthony Maiello, Arnald Gabriel, Glen Adsit, and Michael Haithcock.
Laura currently serves as the middle school band director (grades 6, 7, and 8) in Broadalbin-Perth Central School District. She is a member and Vice-President of FCMEA (Fulton County Music Educators Association.) She is also a member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and NYSBDA (New York State Band Director’s Association.) Laura also performs around the Capital Region. When not conducting, she plays horn in the Memorial Band of Colonie and the Capital Region Wind Ensemble.. She also performs with the Tempest Wind Quintet, Guilderland Town Band, Gloversville Civic Band, and Johnstown Citizens Band, and serves as a substitute for the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra.
Assistant Conductor
Laura Jacaruso received her B.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2009 and her M.M. in Music Education from University of Hartford (Hart School of Music) in 2013. During her education, Laura studied horn with Alexander Shuhan and conducting with Mark Fonder and Elizabeth Peterson. She also attended conducting masterclasses, learning valuable conducting skills from Stephen Peterson, Mallory Thompson, Anthony Maiello, Arnald Gabriel, Glen Adsit, and Michael Haithcock.
Laura currently serves as the middle school band director (grades 6, 7, and 8) in Broadalbin-Perth Central School District. She is a member and Vice-President of FCMEA (Fulton County Music Educators Association.) She is also a member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and NYSBDA (New York State Band Director’s Association.) Laura also performs around the Capital Region. When not conducting, she plays horn in the Memorial Band of Colonie and the Capital Region Wind Ensemble.. She also performs with the Tempest Wind Quintet, Guilderland Town Band, Gloversville Civic Band, and Johnstown Citizens Band, and serves as a substitute for the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra.
Henry Carr (1923 - 2016)
Founding Conductor
Henry M. Carr received his B.S. and M.S. in Music Education from Ithaca College. He has studied trumpet with Ned Mahoney of the Goldman Band, Craig McHenry and Walter Beeler of Ithaca College and Willard Musser of the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam. He served 3 years in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, flying combat missions on a B-25 in the South Pacific.
For 33 years, Hank Carr was the High School Band Director at South Colonie Central High School. He was also the district Music Supervisor during that time. For 19 years he was music director and conductor of the University at Albany Community Symphonic Band. He has also been co-director of the Rensselaer Polyytechnic Institute Symhonic Band and the College of St. Rose Wind Ensemble. Hank has also been guest conductor of the American Winds Concert Band, Northeast All-Star Concert Band, Windjammers Ltd. Circus Concert Band, The Naples (Fla.) Concert Band, The National Concert Band in Washington, D.C., The Alexandria (VA.) Citizen's band and numerous NYSSMA All-County and area All-State Bands.
Hank played trumpet in the Albany Symphony Orchestra for 37 years. He also played with the Schenectady and Berkshire Symphony Orchestras. Hank also plays with area stage-show pit orchestras, jazz ensembles and dance bands.
The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie is honored that Hank has shared his expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for music since the Band's inception until his retirement following the 2010-11 season.
For 33 years, Hank Carr was the High School Band Director at South Colonie Central High School. He was also the district Music Supervisor during that time. For 19 years he was music director and conductor of the University at Albany Community Symphonic Band. He has also been co-director of the Rensselaer Polyytechnic Institute Symhonic Band and the College of St. Rose Wind Ensemble. Hank has also been guest conductor of the American Winds Concert Band, Northeast All-Star Concert Band, Windjammers Ltd. Circus Concert Band, The Naples (Fla.) Concert Band, The National Concert Band in Washington, D.C., The Alexandria (VA.) Citizen's band and numerous NYSSMA All-County and area All-State Bands.
Hank played trumpet in the Albany Symphony Orchestra for 37 years. He also played with the Schenectady and Berkshire Symphony Orchestras. Hank also plays with area stage-show pit orchestras, jazz ensembles and dance bands.
The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie is honored that Hank has shared his expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for music since the Band's inception until his retirement following the 2010-11 season.