Peterborough New Horizons Bands

Sal Castiglione Mus. Bac., B.Ed., M.Ed. received his Bachelor of Music in 1978 from the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto. Prior to that in the 60s and 70s he played keyboard with various groups and studied Piano at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music with renowned teacher Boris Berlin. Sal received his Bachelor of Education in 1979 and taught instrumental music for many years at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville teaching Concert Band at the beginning, intermediate and senior level and Jazz Band. At that time Sal also conducted the Belleville Concert Brass, an adult professional band that performed at Civic functions, Schools and Parks in the area.

Sal moved to Peterborough in 1990 and conducted or produced many musicals including: Godspell, West Side Story, Oliver and Fiddler on the Roof. In 1996 Sal received his Master in Education Degree from O.I.S.E. (Ontario Studies in Education) and became Vice-Principal and then Principal of various Elementary schools in Peterborough.

Since joining the PNHB Sal has had a very active role in the organization. He has held the post of Concert Manager and as such co-ordinated programs, tickets, school rental, stage set up and management, lights, sound, transportation of instruments and all other details that are needed for a successful concert. At different times Sal has coached flute, clarinet, saxophone, percussion and bassoon and has conducted all the bands.

Sal conducted the Green Band for four years and took great pride and satisfaction in the musical development of people who in most cases had never played an instrument before. Their success is his success. At present, Sal is enjoying conducting the “higher” bands: Jubilee, Allegro, Skylark and Odyssey. Sal is also the clarinet coach for all the bands and, for his enjoyment, continues to play clarinet and piano.

Sal also leads an offsite Green Band at the Summit Terrace residence.

Mark Hiscox started as an instructor with the Peterborough New Horizons Band in 2002. He currently coaches the low brass and conducts the Green Band. His musical knowledge, combined with his enthusiasm and wit helps the entry level people gain confidence and skill with their chosen instrument.

Mark also leads a large swing ensemble called “the FUNdamentals”, and the infamous party group “The Dynamics”.

Mark’s approach to music is “Have fun… or else!” Mark feels that music should be truly entertaining. He likes to bring theatrical elements such as comedy routines and costumes into performances to entertain audiences, because after all, the audience is of equal importance as the musicians in creating music.

Mark is a proud resident of Cavan, Ontario. Cavan is beautiful countryside with rolling hills and it nourishes creativity. Mark is a professional actor with The 4th Line Theatre Company and has performed in 19 shows in the past 11 years (25 performances per show). Mark has also starred in several music theatre productions with Peterborough theatre companies including Fiddler On The Roof, Titanic, Anything Goes and Wonderful Town. Mark has served as music director for West Side Story, Cabaret, Bells Are Ringing and the upcoming Gypsy. Mark also conducts a community choir, sings baritone in a jazz choir and played trombone in a local big band which played on the Carnival Cruise Ship Victory.

Justin Hiscox is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, experimental music specialist and conchistador (that is to say, one who blows the conch shell). Justin studied music at York University in Toronto, Ontario, with such teachers as American maverick composer James Tenney (composition), David Mott (large-scale jazz ensemble) and Casey Sokol (free improvisation). Justin has a keen interest in music that lies outside the fringes of “normal” listening and performing habits… that is to say that he loves “unpopular” music as much as he loves “popular” music. A pianist, contrabass trombonist, sousaphonist, accordionist, Brazilian Percussionist and conchistador, he has found that even if you play obscure instruments there is still work for you if you try hard and approach all of your musical dealings with integrity and heart.

Justin has played bass trombone and tuba with ex-Blue Rodeo keyboardist Bob Wiseman and has toured Canada with him. He has also played bass trombone in many a funk and rock band, many a jazz big band and many a musical happening. A composer, he has written a trio (bass trombone, tuba, drum kit) for a silent film, has orchestrated an Irish musical (Slainte), and has composed original music for the past seven years at one of Canada’s finest outdoor theatre companies, the 4th Line Theatre Company. He has also taken his conch choir “on the road” where they have opened for Ron Sexsmith and other Canadian singer/songwriters on the annual Christmas show at the Rivoli (one of Toronto’s nicest nightlife scenes).

Ben Jackson taught Music and English at Thomas A. Stewart for 27 years before retiring in January of 2021. While at TAS, he was active in the Music program as conductor of the Wind Symphony, Grade 9 “Super Band”, Senior Class Band, Vocal Class, and Music Director of many TAS musicals. Ben enjoys all aspects of teaching music and tries to inspire in his students a love of music that will last a lifetime.

Ben graduated from the Honours Music program at the University of Manitoba with a performance degree: his principal instrument is the flute. He was awarded the University Gold Medal for highest achieving Music student in his graduating year. He earned his Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University.

In addition to being a conductor for the PNHB bands, Ben currently directs the community concert band Friends in Music, along with PNHB ensemble Music Works, and PNHB Summer Band, as well as being the flute coach for PNHB Green Band. He is a member of and coach for the Allegria flute trio, and also teaches flute privately. When time and opportunity coincide, Ben loves to perform on his flute as a soloist and with local groups, not to mention in the pit orchestra of many a musical.

Medda is an accomplished musician, educator, and community volunteer with a rich background in both the arts and leadership. She raised five children while contributing to her community through volunteer work in the music departments at James Strath Elementary, Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School and elsewhere. Medda also ran a business for six years with her husband.

Her musical journey spans decades. She earned a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Western University and a Master of Divinity from Heritage Seminary. Medda has been a dedicated member of the Peterborough Concert Band for 28 years, playing trumpet, French horn, bassoon, and percussion, before returning to trumpet. She worked as the librarian for the band for 15 years, overseeing music and organizational duties. She has also been a soprano in the Peterborough Singers for 25 years and has served as a worship leader at Ferndale Bible Church for over 20 years, further demonstrating her commitment to both music and community.

Currently, she teaches music lessons at Long and McQuade, sharing her extensive knowledge and passion for music with students of all ages.

Charmaine Prole, B.A., Ontario College of Teachers (Retired)

Charmaine is a music teacher who retired from the Kawartha Pine Ridge D.S.B. after 32 years of teaching instrumental music. Having joined in 1970, she has been a member of the Peterborough Concert Band for the last 54 years. She was Band President and Trumpet Section Leader for many years. Charmaine has performed with a wide variety of vocal and instrumental groups in the community.

A native of Peterborough, Tori Owen moved back to her home town in 2002 where she lives currently and is sole proprietor of Tori Owen Performing Arts Management, offering an array of musical services: these include Cultural Management, Live Music Performance and Music Instruction. Formally trained in Classical music, Tori has performed as a freelance orchestral musician since the late 80’s and has also performed with a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout Ontario and beyond. She holds degrees in performance from The University of Western Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier University and a certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College.