Gregory Snyder is in his 26th year as director of bands in the Lakota School District, West Chester, Ohio. He was at Lakota High School for nine year before moving to Lakota West High School the past 17 years. Snyder directs Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Red Band, Symphonic White Band and the Marching Firebirds. He also assists with two concert bands at Lakota West Freshman School. Previously, he worked in the Clyde-Green Springs (Ohio) School District.
Under Snyder’s direction, the Symphonic Winds has received a superior rating at Class AA Ohio Music Education Association state competition since 1998, and has performed at numerous clinics, festivals and tours in the U.S. and internationally.
The Lakota West Marching Firebirds have earned more than 50 grand champion awards and has performed in such parades as the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Sugar Bowl, the Waikiki Holiday Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, at Disney World and Universal Studios and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013. They will parade in the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2015.
Snyder has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Bowling Green State University, and a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago. He also has done additional work at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University.