James Romeo - Director of Music:
James Romeo is a full Professor of Music at San Diego Mesa College where he directs the award-winning concert Jaxx Ensemble and the Mesa College Pep Band. His other duties include classes in jazz History and World Music, plus he instructs all saxophone majors. Before coming to Mesa College, Professor Romeo was Assistant Director of bands and Professor of Saxophone at California State University, Fullerton and the University of Akron, Ohio.Currently he is a saxophonist with the San Diego Symphony. He has also played with the Cleveland Winds, New York City Ballet, and the New York Chamber Orchestra. He has appeared as a participant and soloist in three World Saxophone Symposiums and numerous national and regional events.
He has numerous compositions written for him to perform on the saxophone, including the latest premiere, 'Harry Semantix' by Igor Korneitchouk, which he performed at Lincoln Center with the New York Chamber Orchestra in March 2000.
He has played with or under Arthur Fiedler, Robert Shew, Frederick Fennel, Bob Hope, Louis Bellson, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Bobby Shaw, Bill Watrus, Gary Foster, The Temptations, the Four Tops, and many other high profile musicians and entertainers.
Kenneth J. Serfass - Assistant Director:
Ken is a retired US Marine musician having served in 7 of the USMC's 12 bands, performing throughout the world in military cermonies and parades, and civilian concerts for countless thousands. A Pennsylvania native and transplated San Diegan, he is very active with local community bands.
Ken was a co-music director and founding conductor of the Crystal Coast Community Orchestra while serving with the 2nd Marine Division from 1999-2001. He also studied advanced conducting techniques with JoAnn Falletta of the Virginia and Buffalo (NY) Symphonies.
After leaving the Marine Corps, he is pursuing his BA in music education and teaches tuba privately. He also performs on tuba and conducts the KMCB. He plays tuba with the Hollywood Wind Ensemble of Los Angeles, the American Civil War Society Brass Band, his quintet, the Hidden Valley Brass, and travels to New Jersey monthly to perform on contra bass bugle along with his brother in the Bayonne Bridgemen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps.
He has guest conducted the Orange Glen HS concert band, the Palomar College Wind Ensemble and the Point Loma Wind Ensemble while also acting as section leader and tuba instructor for "Band At the Beach" in August of 2005.
He has been the Kearny Mesa Concert Band's staff arranger/somposer for a number of years and his newest composition will premier in Oct 2006. Of all of his accomplishments, he will say that he is most proud of his daughter Erin.