Composing a Synergistic Symphony of Success
This clinic highlights the key roles, relationships, and responsibilities that enable a community band’s leadership team to work effectively and produce high-quality, engaging concerts for the public.

Presenters/Panel:
John Falskow - Lead Presenter
Tom Seaton
Melanie Seaton
Vicky Blakesley
Christina Parker
Debbi Soderstrom
Facilitator: Tyler Benedict

John Falskow
Dr. John Falskow joined Seattle Wind Symphony in 2019 as Artistic Director and Conductor. Falskow is the Director of Instrumental Music at Tacoma Community College (TCC), where he conducts the TCC Orchestra, TCC Symphonic Band, and has taught a variety of classes across the music curriculum. In addition to duties at TCC, John is the Music Director and Conductor of the Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble – a select, high school musician ensemble. In the fall of 2018, Falskow founded Brass Band Tacoma, a South Sound based British brass band. Falskow is an active conductor,  music educator, and trumpeter throughout the Northwest region. John completed his Ph.D. in Music Education at Florida State University, where he also conducted many of the university’s instrumental ensembles. John’s education also includes degrees from Washington State University and the University of Puget Sound.

Tom Seaton
Tom Seaton has been the music director of the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band since 2003. He is a 1990 graduate of California State University Northridge. As a performance major, he studied clarinet with Dr. Charles Bay and performed under the batons of Dr. David Whitwell and Mr. Gary Pratt. Mr. Seaton earned his Master of Science in Arts and Letters Degree in 1998 through the American Band College at Southern Oregon  University. Through ABC, Mr. Seaton has had the opportunity to play under the batons of Dr. Frederick Fennell, Dr. Alfred Reed, Elliot Del Borgo, Frank
Erickson, Robert W. Smith, Col. Arnald Gabriel, Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft, Col John R. Bourgeois (former US Marine Band conductor) and other European composers such as Johan de Meij, Jan van der Roost and Australian Composer Ralph Hultgren.

Melanie Seaton

Melanie Seaton serves as the President of the Board of the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band. Melanie performs with the band on piccolo.  Melanie was instrumental in the Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band receiving the Cordova Community Council Distinguished Community Service Organization award in 2022.

Tyler Benedict

Tyler Benedict has been Music Director of the Sequim City Band since 2013. An Olympic Peninsula native, he was involved in music at an early age. After high school in Port Angeles, he attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Music in Music Education. At the University of Washington, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, UW Husky Marching Band, Symphonic Band, as well as chamber ensembles. He has earned a Master of Music in Conducting from Southern Oregon University through the American Band College program. Benedict has performed and taught music in school programs, community/professional orchestras and bands as well as chamber ensembles throughout the Pacific Northwest. Tyler has performed with the Olympic Express and Stardust Big Bands as well as Principal Tuba of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra.

Vicky Blakesley
Vicky Blakesley is in her 17th year with the Sequim City Band (a member since 2010) and currently serves as Board president. Since 2011 she has served multiple terms as Board president and as Board secretary. Vicky has contributed extensively as a musician, board member, and administrator—handling marketing and publicity, assisting the musical librarian, serving as purchasing agent, supporting the conductor with concert logistics, managing the rehearsal hall used by other community arts groups, and liaising with the City of Sequim and other non-profit groups that use the James Center stage for community events. Her involvement spans performances and community outreach initiatives, and she is dedicated to enhancing the community’s musical landscape.

Christina Parker
Christina serves as the Director of Marketing and Client Operations for Lambert Consulting. Christina has been instrumental in dramatically expanding the social media presence for the Sequim City Band.

Debbi Soderstrom
Debbi Soderstrom has served as the Board President for the Sequim City Band. Under her 6 years of leadership as President she engaged in grant  writing and built community support for the construction of the nearly 2500 square foot Chuck Swisher Rehearsal Hall, an approximately 2500 square foot expansion added on to Swisher Library, the Band's former rehearsal space converted to library and storage areas. Debbi plays the alto and soprano saxophone in the Sequim City Band and the Saxologists quartet.