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Biography
of Josh Weirich
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| As
a Young Musician |
| Josh’s
earliest interest in music began through
playing and listening to all types
of music at home with his father Dan
Weirich, who is also a professional
musician. A native of Fort Wayne,
Indiana, he studied saxophone early
on with Dr. James Chandler. Josh’s
first paying gig at age 16 earned
him $3 which he abruptly spent on
an “extra value meal”
at a fast-food restaurant. By age
17 he was performing regularly with
local jazz combos and rock groups.
While
a student in Northrop High School
in Fort Wayne, Josh became involved
in the band program winning outstanding
soloist awards at many festivals such
as
• Ball State Jazz Festival
• Western
Michigan University Jazz Festival
• Snider Jazz Festival
• North Side Jazz Festival
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Josh’s
senior year Northrop High School awarded
him the “Bart Watkins Most Outstanding
Bandsman Award” and the “Robert
Rice Jazz Award” for most outstanding
jazz band member.
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| As
a College Student |
Josh’s success in music awarded him
a Scholarship to attend Ball State University
where he became actively involved in the
Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. While at Ball
State, Josh studied saxophone with Dr. George
Wolfe and Dr. Adrian Re. In 1999, Josh was
selected to perform at the North American
Saxophone Alliance conference at Indiana
State University. In the summer of 2000,
Josh was a selected performer at the World
Saxophone Congress in Montreal, Quebec.
While there he performed the world premier
of the “Lair of Morpheus” by
Kevin Purrone. In 2001, he received a Grammy
Nomination for his performance of “Backburner”
by Frank Ticheli with the Ball State Saxophone
Quartet on “Tribute to Adolf Sax”
released by Arizona University Recordings.
Josh
is currently pursuing a master's degree
in Jazz Studies from Butler University in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
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| As
a Professional Musician |
Josh has also played professionally for
Carnival Cruise Line and Cedar Point Amusement
Park. His performance credits include:
• The Temptations
• George Clinton
• Sandi Patty
• Randy Brecker
• Five By Design
• Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra
• MidCoast Swing Orchestra
• Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
• Guy and Ralna All Star Show
• And many others.
Currently,
Josh is a member of “The
Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra”
and "Brenda Williams and the Soul Providers."
He leads the “Uptown
Jazz Quartet”
and performs regularly with "Peacetrain"
and several other rock and jazz groups.
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| As
An Educator |
While Josh enjoys performing, he maintains
that his greatest love is teaching music.
He currently teaches band along with co-directors
Sandy Graef and Matthew Doublestein to over
500 students every day at Zionsville
Middle School near Indianapolis,
Indiana. Under their leadership, the middle
school band program has been extremely successful.
In
2005, the 7th grade, 8th grade and Jazz
Bands won first place in their divisions
and the 8th Grade Band was named Grand Champion
at the Music In The Parks competition at
King’s Island Amusement Park. In 2006,
the 7th and 8th grade bands and jazz band
received 1st place trophies in their division
at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in
Gatlinburg Tennessee. The 8th grade band
has consistently received Gold Ratings at
ISSMA Organizational contests. The ZMS Advanced
Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating and placed
3rd at the Purdue Jazz Festival and was
invited to perform at an Indiana Pacers
Basketball Game in February, 2006. The band
has also released its 3rd CD and has sold
over 1000 copies.
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| Outside
of the Music World |
When Josh is not working at school or playing
saxophone he resides in nearby Carmel, Indiana
with his wife Katie and dog Dexter. Katie
is an 8th grade math teacher and musician
who is currently pursuing her master's degree
at IUPUI. Dexter is a mutt who spends his
days chasing birds, chewing rawhide bones,
and antagonizing the neighbor dogs.
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