A BIT ABOUT ME
Michael Buckstein is an educator and performer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, at which he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology. Michael is also a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), at which he earned a Bachelors of Science in Education Degree in Music Education. His primary teachers include Karl Priore (Pitt) and Dr. Kevin Eisensmith (IUP).
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Michael has a wealth of musical experiences. He has performed in a multitude of large and small ensembles, spanning many genres. Large ensembles include the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, University of Pittsburgh Pep Band, University of Pittsburgh Symphonic Band, University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, University of Pittsburgh Jazz Ensemble, IUP Symphony Band, IUP University Chorus, IUP Wind Ensemble, and the Allegheny Brass Band. Small ensembles include The Allies of the Boulevard, Kappa Kappa Psi Brass Quintet, Kappa Kappa Psi Wind Quintet, Kappa Kappa Psi Trumpet Ensemble, IUP Trumpet Ensemble, Legacy Brass Quintet, Basement Brass, and the Plum Brass Quintet. He also has experience performing in pit orchestras for musicals, performing for Nine and Legally Blonde during his tenure at Pitt.
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In addition to being a performer, Michael also composes, arranges, and orchestrates. He primarily writes for band, and his arrangements have been played by the Pitt Band, Plum High School Marching Band, and the Plum Brass Quintet. He also has experience writing for film, writing a song and the score for "Main Street", a short film by Willie Hollis. Michael uses Finale Music Notation Software.
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Michael is a versatile teacher, having taught in a variety of idioms. As a private lesson instructor, he teaches trumpet and horn, currently maintaining a studio of 10 students in grades 4-12. In addition to private lessons, his private studio provides students with various opportunities such as concerts, chamber music opportunities, and masterclasses. His private students have made various honors bands, such as Seton Hill's Youth Honors Concert Band and varying levels of PMEA Honors Bands (District, Region, and State). As a Music Instructor at Chatham University's Music and Arts Day Camp, Michael taught K-4 General Music, as well as courses in Conducting, Pep Band, and Digital Music Technology. He served four years as Assistant Director of the Plum Band, where he worked extensively with the marching band, brought in various guest clinicians (such as The Brass Roots and Professor Alan Hood), organized extra-curricular field trips to the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock University, and coached chamber music ensembles. His chamber music ensembles have performed at venues such as the National Aviary, Chick-Fil-A, and the Benedum Center. Michael is the Executive Director of "Brass Camp", a summer music camp for brass players in grades 5-12. In his position as Executive Director, he is responsible for marketing, budgeting, arranging, rehearsing, and more. Currently, Michael is the Director of Bands in the Mt. Pleasant Area School District, where he teaches 7-12 Band (Symphonic, Jazz, and Marching), as well as middle school general music.
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Michael's affiliations include Kappa Kappa Psi, National Co-ed Honorary Band Fraternity. He served on his Chapter's Executive Board for two years, serving as Chapter Secretary. He was heavily involved in revitalizing chapter musicianship and the chapter's social media presence. Through his fraternity, he has volunteered his time performing at venues such Magee Women's Hospital, Schenley Gardens Senior Living Center, and the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh.
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Michael performs on a Bach Stradivarius Bb Trumpet, a Bach Stradivarius C Trumpet, a Jupiter JFH-846R Flugelhorn, a Conn Director Cornet, and a Holton French Horn.