Martin T. Allen, Director

Martin Allen has taught instrumental music in the Grand Island Schools for twenty-six years. After four years at the elementary level, Mr. Allen is in his twenty-second year at the high school. Under his baton, Grand Island High School Ensembles have been recognized for their excellence at State and National Music Festivals, including performances at NYSBDA, NYSSMA, and MENC All Eastern Conventions.

A graduate of SUNY at Buffalo, Mr. Allen has his MM in Education from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago with additional graduate work at SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Fredonia. He has guest conducted at various levels in Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Wayne, Genesee Wyoming, Genesee Valley, Malone and Saratoga counties and has been a guest clinician with several area school districts. An accomplished pianist, Mr. Allen has served as Organist and Choir Director at area churches and as a trombonist and baritone with the Buffalo Silver Band. He has served on the Executive Board of Erie County Music Educators Association where he chaired the Instrumental Committee and served as Vice President. He has also served on the executive board of the New York State Band Directors Association.

Mr. Allen was honored with the American School Band Directors Association Regional and National Directors award for Outstanding Service to the American Band Movement in 1998 as well as the ECCMC/Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Award for excellence in music education in 2004.