Dr. Mark E. Belczyk began his musical career at age nine with the study of the clarinet. He soon added the piano and saxophone to his repertoire, and studied clarinet with retired Philadelphia Orchestra member Michael Guerra. Mr. Guerra’s former students include some of the world’s great woodwind artists: Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, John Coltrane, and Gerry Mulligan. By the time Dr. Belczyk reached high school, he was selected for Delaware County Youth Orchestra, numerous District and Regional/All-State Bands and Orchestras, and the All-Eastern United States Band. His conducting career also began in high school; he arranged and conducted pieces for the Pop Group, and conducted Tschaikowsky’s 1812 Overture as student conductor of the Orchestra.

While at Temple University, Dr. Belczyk continued his clarinet study with Philadelphia Orchestra members Anthony Gigliotti and Lawrence Wagner, and played solo clarinet with the Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Opera Orchestra. He became a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO), and played principal clarinet for concert tours of Australia and Great Britain. He also had the opportunity to conduct PYO, as well as Temple University’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Repertoire Ensemble, and Conducting Orchestra. By 1992, Dr. Belczyk had completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education Research, working closely with his advisor Dr. Edwin E. Gordon, world-renowned author and researcher. Singing in the Bass II section with the Temple University Choirs, Singing City Choir, and the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia has given Dr. Belczyk the opportunity to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Curtis Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of the following prominent conductors: Eugene Ormandy, Carlo Maria Giulini, Riccardo Muti, Peter Nero, Rafael Frübeck de Burgos, and Zubin Mehta. At the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center in Elmer, New Jersey, Dr. Belczyk conducted the Symphony Orchestra and was Director of the Rock/Jazz Department. Also, as a member of the Theatre Department, he was Musical Director and Conductor for productions of “Annie”, “Grease”, “Pippin”, and “Little Shop of Horrors”.

Since 1986, he has been a member of the West Chester Area School District teaching staff; he has taught Elementary Band, Middle School Orchestra, and was Musical Director and Orchestra Conductor for Henderson High School’s productions of “The King and I”, “My Fair Lady”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and “Hello, Dolly!”. Dr. Belczyk has studied conducting with Jonathan Sternberg, Gail Poch, Roman Pawlowski, Roger Dean, Warren Benson, and Frederick Fennell. He has been Music Director and Conductor of the Chester County Youth Orchestra since 1996. Also, he has served as Assistant Conductor of the Immaculata Symphony, and has appeared as Guest Conductor of the PMEA Intermediate Band, All-Catholic Orchestra, and the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra. He recently retired as principal clarinettist for the Immaculata Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Chester County, the Lansdowne Symphony, and the Delaware County Symphony. He resides in Media, PA with his wife, Mary and their three children: Theresa, Michael, and Patricia.

You can contact Dr. Belczyk by email.