Charles Edwin Hockersmith

Mr. Hockersmith graduated from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1973 with a Bachelors Degree Education and a Bachelors Degree in Library Science. He also has a Master of Library Science degree in Information Technology Administration from Syracuse University and is a Doctoral student in Educational Leadership at the University of Delaware. He completed his musical training with the United States Army at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia. He served as a tuba player with the 327th United States Army Band at Edgewood Arsenal Maryland and as senior tuba player with the 264th United States Army Band of the Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Mr. Hockersmith studied composition and conducting with the late George Barati, former conductor of the San Francisco and Honolulu Symphony Orchestras. He was guest of the judges at the Dimtri Mitropolous International Competition for Conductors, 1969 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His work includes performances with the Potomac Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Shippensburg University Festival  Orchestra, Brandywine Pops Orchestra, Newark Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Repertoire Orchestra, Brandywine Brass Quintet, Burnished Brass Quintet, Chesapeake Brass Band.  He holds an advanced certificate from the United States Armed Forces School of Music.  He is currently Bandmaster and Commander of the 287th Army Band, Delaware National Guard, Music Director of the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band, Music Director Emeritus of the First State Symphonic Band, and Advisory Board member of the Newark (DE) Symphony Orchestra.