Michael Burch-Pesses
Commander, United States Navy (Retired)

Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses is Director of Bands at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He enjoyed a distinguished career as a bandmaster in the United States Navy before arriving at Pacific University, enlisting as a hornist and working his way up through the ranks to become the Navy's senior bandmaster.

A native of La Junta, CO, he enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and served in Navy bands in Newport, RI; Great Lakes, IL; and the US SIXTH Fleet in Gaeta, Italy prior to being selected as a Warrant Officer. His duty assignments prior to his selection as a Limited Duty Officer included Director of Navy Show Band West in San Diego and Assistant Leader of the Naval Academy Band.

Subsequent tours included Associate Conductor of the US Navy Band, Navy Band Liaison Officer at the Pentagon, Director of Navy Band San Diego, Assistant Head of the Navy Music Program in BUPERS, Assistant Leader of the US Navy Band, Director of the US SEVENTH Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan, Director of Navy Band Orlando, Leader of the Naval Academy Band, and Head of the Navy Music Program.

Under his direction the Naval Academy Band received the George Howard Citation of Musical Excellence from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the highest civilian award for a military band. During his Navy career he earned multiple awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Achievment Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. Upon his retirement in 1995 he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the highest award ever received by a Navy Bandmaster.

One of the Summer Serenade Concerts at the Annapolis City Dock, 1992.

As Director of Bands at Pacific University he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Choir, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, and MIDI technology. He holds Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in conducting from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and is an internationally-known adjudicator and clinician.

His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference, and Oregon Band Directors Assocation. He also is the Oregon Chair of the National Band Association and the College Chair of the Oregon Music Educators Association.

HISTORY