Music Conservatory of Westchester Appoints New Dean

From the Music Conservatory of Westchester:

Music Conservatory of Westchester, a not-for-profit community music school in White Plains, has appointed Douglas Bish as its new dean of students and faculty. Dr. Bish, who returns to the Conservatory after serving on the Conservatory’s faculty from 2006-2011, has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as an academic leader, conductor, clarinetist, educator, author, lecturer and music clinician.

“The Conservatory is one of the truly iconic institutions for community music education in the country, and I’m thrilled to be able to play a part in guiding its future,” Dr. Bish said.

Jean Newton, the Conservatory’s executive director, said Dr. Bish was selected among a pool of worthy applicants because of his extensive background and proven leadership. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the school’s history, as it makes plans to expand its programming and develop new studios for technology-based classes. A grant from the New York State Council on the Arts is currently supporting design development for 3,500 square feet of unfinished space in the Conservatory’s White Plains building. Dr. Bish will play a key role in crafting a strategic plan to set goals for the next four years, culminating in the school’s 90th anniversary year in 2019-2020.

“I can’t imagine anyone better than Doug Bish to be a partner in steering the Conservatory into the future,” said Newton, who resides in Edgemont. “Doug has it all – he’s a real leader, a consummate musician and educator whose expertise ranges from early childhood education to post-graduate training.”

Most recently, Dr. Bish was the dean of the School of Fine, Applied and Communication Arts at the City College of San Francisco. Previously, he served as chair of the Department of Music for the Nyack Public Schools. He has conducted professional, amateur and student orchestras and wind ensembles around the world. He holds a master’s degree in clarinet performance and music education from the University of Oregon and a doctoral degree in music education and conducting from Boston University. As a Fulbright scholar, he earned an artist diploma in clarinet performance from the Vienna Music Academy.

“In addition to our traditional private lesson and ensemble programs, Suzuki training, musical theatre and opera and the work the Conservatory does in music therapy and providing needed music instruction to our veterans, I’m excited to be able to help the school develop new programs in jazz, cutting-edge instruction in music technology, performance opportunities throughout the county to showcase our talented students and other new directions in arts education that will expand the school’s reach and importance throughout the New York Metropolitan area,” explained Dr. Bish, a former Hawthorne resident who lives in Beacon with his wife, Kathy Sireno, a public school music teacher and professional flutist.

Dr. Bish also said he’s looking forward to providing opportunities for his colleagues teaching music in the public schools to have a “home for their own advanced training in new pedagogies and materials” that they can bring to their students.

About the Music Conservatory of Westchester

Music Conservatory of Westchester is located at 216 Central Ave. in White Plains. The community music school was founded in 1929 in the American settlement house tradition of broad-based access and community service. Today, the institution provides quality music education for all ages, abilities and backgrounds, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults and free community performances. The school's esteemed faculty, artists in their own right, help to enrich the lives of more than 2,500 students each year from four months to more than 80 years. Their scholarship program for low-income students and its music therapy program for individuals with disabilities ensure access for all.

The Conservatory is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Performing Arts Schools, a division of NASM, and is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education.