Our Director
John F. Landers was appointed by the Board of Directors as our Music Director effective February 19, 2015. John has an extensive background in music education, music composition, and conducting.
Prior to taking the conductor position, John played in the band’s trumpet section. He also plays trumpet in the Double M Swing Band, the Hawthorne Orchestra, and the Plantation Lake Brass. During the summer he plays with the Boston Town Band (Assistant Conductor) and the Grandfathers Swing Band in western New York.
John grew up in Ohio and began his conducting career as a senior in high school. His band director gave him the opportunity to conduct his high school band and it became a passion for him. After high school he attended Ohio University with a major in music. His freshmen theory class started his interest in composition which he still has today. After receiving his bachelor degree in 1964, he did graduate work in theory and composition at Ohio University. After starting his teaching career, he attended SUNY at Fredonia and received a Master of Music degree in 1970. He also attended the University of Buffalo for additional graduate work.
John had thirty-six years of teaching in New York and retired from the West Seneca School District near Buffalo, New York. During his teaching career, he worked with orchestras, jazz bands, and other bands at various levels. He also conducted many productions of Broadway shows.
John’s performance experience includes thirty years with the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, twelve years with the Erie County Wind Ensemble (a professional concert band), twelve years with the Deutschlanders German Band, and five years with the JR 5 Polka Band, as well as many church performances for special occasions.
A highlight of his career was the receipt of a $17,000 grant (as president of the Erie County Wind Ensemble) from the World University Games to produce a concert with the Canadian Brass and the Erie County Wind Ensemble. The concert took place in June 1993 at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, New York.
John has composed a number of musical compositions including the LCB March for the Lake Concert Band and a wedding processional for his daughters. Lake Overture 2 is a piece that features the percussion section. John has also written several arrangements for the band.
John has three children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include boating, fishing, and woodworking. John is a snowbird and resides with his partner Joanne in Fruitland Park while in Florida and in Hamburg while in western New York.