MARK NELSON
Musical Director
After teaching music for decades at colleges and secondary schools, Mark moved to the Upper Valley in the summer of 2014. He has immersed himself in the region’s musical life, taking on the roles of conductor, teacher, composer, and singer. In addition to leading the Upper Valley Community Band, he directs the Lyme Town Band, the Upper Valley Chamber Orchestra, and an a cappella group, Harmony Night. He also coaches youth ensembles, and teaches music-appreciation seminars, at the Upper Valley Music Center. A published musicologist and theorist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century American music. He is deeply committed to promoting among ensemble members, audiences, and students the joys of musical discovery.
DOMINICK DEFRANCISCO
Associate Musical Director
In addition to serving as Associate Director of the UVCB, Dominick DeFrancisco is currently the Band Director at Lebanon High School. Prior to joining the faculty in 2021, he taught middle school band and general music in Northeastern Massachusetts, as well as instructing high school marching band. He has both a Master of Arts in Conducting and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. His primary conducting instructors were Dr. Andrew Boysen Jr. and Prof. Casey Goodwin. He has spent time studying tuba and trombone under Prof. Emeritus Nic Orovich, trumpet under Prof. Mark Zielinski, and French Horn under Prof. Angela DiBartolomeo. Dominick is dedicated to commissioning and performing new works for concert bands, having started a commissioning series at LHS, as well as programming music by diverse composers that represent the various backgrounds of the musicians in his ensembles.
