Providing Music For Hampton Roads, Virginia Since 1971
About Us
Since 1971, The Tidewater Concert Band had been providing exciting, professional, high quality music entertainment to Hampton Roads and the surrounding area. The Tidewater Concert Band can provide performances ranging from Sousa Style Marches, Big Band, to Swing, Blues, and even Broadway Musicals.
Currently under the direction of Maestro Chris Serrano and Associate Conductor Josiah Wilson, the band consists of volunteer musicians from every occupation including, local band directors, students, as well as former and current military musicians. With passion and determination these individual musicians come together to produce a fully-instrumented top-notch professional performing organization
The Tidewater Concert Band is a cultural jewel for local audience members, musicians, venues, and event organizers alike.
We appreciate your visit. We thank you so much for your time and attention and we look forward to seeing you very soon.
Principal Conductor - Chris Serrano
Chris was born in Keflavik, Iceland and has been a native of the Hampton Roads area since 1975. He attended Norfolk Public Schools throughout his elementary and secondary education. After graduating Maury High School in 1986, he started his undergraduate work at Old Dominion University where as percussion major, he earned his bachelors degree in music education. From there, he taught elementary, middle, and high school general music, strings, band and percussion for 13 years as the Associate Band Director at Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach. He currently teaches private lessons at Russell’s Music World in Norfolk, Va.
Chris has studied with the areas top percussionist and conductors including Dennis Ziesler of Old Dominion University and The Virginia Wind Symphony, John Brewington of The Tidewater Winds, Rob Cross and John Lindberg of The Virginia Symphony. He has also performed under the direction of some of the worlds most famous educators and conductors including, Ed Lisk, David Holsinger, Donald Hunsberger and the late great Frederick Fennell.
Studying, conducting and performing locally as well as regionally for over thirty years, Chris’ performing, teaching and conducting experience is unprecedented. Chris has conducted, performed and recorded with a variety of vocal and instrumental groups ranging from jazz, gospel, big band, concert band, country and rock. He has also managed several of the artists he has performed with. Adding to his credit, Chris is a nationally published author. His article on how to teach percussion was published nationally in the February 2005 edition of “Teaching Music” and was read by tens of thousands of music educators across the country. As the owner of Big Daddy Productions, Inc., a music booking agency, Chris also employs and supplies the community with over a 100 great musicians each year.
Chris has been the Principal Conductor of The Tidewater Concert Band for over a decade and looks forward to continuing the success of this fine performing organization.
Associate Conductor-Josiah Wilson
Josiah is retired from the Chesapeake Public School as a music educator. He is a graduate of Crestwood High School, Norfolk State College (University), and the Armed Forces School of Music. He has done extended studies at Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Tidewater Community College, Duquesne University, and Villanova University.
Josiah has performed with Continental Army Band, The Norfolk Symphony, The Virginia Beach Civic Symphony, The Peninsula Symphony, and The Tidewater Concert Band.