Peter P. DeSalvo
Peter P. DeSalvo, D.M.A., a native Long Islander, has directed school All-County, concert and jazz bands as well as numerous other ensembles for over 40 years. Dr. DeSalvo is a highly respected conductor, percussionist, clinician, and educator, having worked with All-County and select concert, jazz and percussion ensembles in the New York Tri-state area.
Pete’s performance credits as a drummer/percussionist range from jazz to country, rock to classical, as well as numerous regional musical theater shows. A member of Local 802, Pete has worked with jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Milt Hinton, Warren Vache’, Ray Andersen, Bobby Watson and Pete McGuinness. As a symphonic timpanist, he also has performed in concert under the direction of such luminaries as Aaron Copland, Stanley Chapel and Robert Shaw. Currently, Pete is recording and performing with an up and coming contemporary Counrty artist (band), New Moon Rising, as well as playing in regional theater shows, and local concert bands and orchestras.
He earned his Bachelor of Music (BM) from the Crane School of Music, State University College at Potsdam, New York under the watchful eye of Professor James Petercsak, and received his Masters of Science (MS) from C.W. Post College of Long Island University, Greenvale, New York. Pete also studied 5 years with his mentor/teacher, Henry Adler, and recently, under the tutelage of Bryan Carrott, completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance at Five Towns College. His compositions are published by Bachovich Music Publishers and has been a proud Grover Pro Percussion endorser for many years.
Pete DeSalvo retired as Director of Bands at Sayville High School, New York, and was an Adjunct Percussion professor and Wind Ensemble Director at Five Towns College, Dix Hills, NY. He served as the Chair of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Education Committee for 6 years, President of the New York chapter of PAS for 4 years, and was a founding member of the Stik Figures Percussion Ensemble. He currently maintains an active performing, recording, producing, teaching, and piano tuning career, on Long Island and in Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife, Trish.
