Loras john schissel bio

LORAS JOHN SCHISSEL is the music director and conductor of both the Virginia Grand Military Band, of which he is the founder, and the Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom Festival Band, two of the finest concert bands in the world.

He has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia conducting orchestras, bands, and choral ensembles in a broad range of musical styles and varied programs.

A native of New Hampton, Iowa, Schissel studied brass instruments and conducting with Carlton Stewart, Frederick Fennell, and John Paynter.

In the years following his studies at the University of Northern Iowa, he has distinguished himself as a prominent conductor, orchestrator, and musicologist.

Deeply committed to young musicians, he has appeared as conductor of all-state music festivals and festival bands and orchestras in more than thirty states.

As a composer and orchestrator, Schissel has created an extensive catalogue of over 500 works for orchestra, symphonic wind band and jazz ensembl