Fort Sam’s Own 323rd Army Band
F l u t e / P i c c o l o
CPL Julian Simmons – Greenville, SC
Ob o e
CPL Karyann Cate Mitchell – Williamsport, MD
Cl a r i n e t
SGT Corey White – High Point, NC
MSG Darren Siegerdt – Elmhurst, IL
S a x o p h o n e
SGT 1st Class Matthew Locker – Midland, TX
SGT Jeremy Turner – Brunswick, OH
Hor n
SSG Melvin Cuevas – San Pablo, CA
SGT Carlos Lopez – Edinburg, TX
Gu i t a r
SGT Austin Haley – Hayden, ID
Ba s s Gu i t a r
SSG Alejandro Bertorelli Jr – Irving, TX
P i a n o
SPC Jorge Ramoslopez – Medellin, Columbia
Voc a l i s t s / Na r r a t or s
SSG Kayla Winslow – Chesapeake, VA
SSG Rebecca Schlesser – Lexinigton, KY
SSG Gary Uttrich – Chicago, IL
SGT Jacob Dearrington – Cantonment, FL
SGT Benjamin Forshee – Basehor, KS
SPC Jacob Walker – Fairborn, OH
SSG Francisco Suarez – San Juan, PR
SGT John Houston – Austin, TX
SGT Kevin Mackie – Riverton, UT
SSG Robert Carmical(Bass) – Baytown, TX
Euphoni um
SPC Nicholas Rooch – Round Rock, TX
SSG Jean Marcel Scutt – Fayetteville, GA
SGT Scott Whaley – Given, WV
SSG Davin Vance – Nitro, WV
SGT James Klausmeyer – Miami, FL
SGT Kyle Hinton – Baytown, TX
SGT Joseph Lo Forte – Price, UT
Fall 2024 University of Texas at San Antonio Wind Symphony
Fl ut e / Pi ccol o
Hannah Benitez
Joaquin Carcamo
Jazmine Dearlove
Page De La O
Lauren Garcia
Ana Jaud (G)
Oboe
Logan Odom
Makayla Aguilar (M)
Bas s oon
Jaime Viejo
Jared Worman (also Contra Bassoon)
Cl ar i net
Sikander Ahmed
Joshua Avalos
Sophie Anderson
Orlando Barron
Sarah Hamm
Kenedy Lerma
Madilynne Mohr
Johanna Sanchez
Bas s Cl ar i net
Michael Lee Summers
Al t o Saxophone
1 Gabriel Campa
2 Brianna Castilla
Tenor Saxophone
Bryson Vincent
Bar i t one Saxophone
Nicholas Zars
Hor n
Brandon Bayer
Caleb Jones
Noe Loera
Andrew Ramirez
David Valdez (M)
Band St af f
Jordan Rodriguez - Music Librarian
Jarred Worman - Music Librarian
Tr umpet
Chris Barrera
Ivan Lorduy-Camargo(GA)
Jay Hidrogo
Gustavo Medrano
Raymon Saldana(M)
Karim Vazquez
Julian Wegland
Tr ombone
Eva Ayala(M)
Caroline Foster(M)
Thomas Gonzalez-Mata
Bas s Tr ombone
Javier Lopez
Euphoni um
Alex Guzman
Aiden Ramos
Tuba
Matthew Bruns
Kenyon McCrary (M)
Per cus s i on
Matthew Aceves
Emilio De Leon (GA)
Gregory Felter
Juan Martinez
Rebecca Palmer
Mark Sawyer
Charles Settles
Doubl e Bass
Heriberto Ayma
Or gan
Scott Rushforth
Pi ano
Pablo Ventura (G)
Gr aduat e As s i s t ant s/ Band Manager s Graduate students are listed with (G) above Graduate Assistants are listed with (GA) above
Band Managers are listed with (M) above
Personnel roster is listed alphabetically to emphasize the important contribution made by each musician.
Chi ef War r ant Of f i c er Two Ry an V Kni ght is the commander of the 323d Army Band, “Fort Sam’s Own,” Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Fort Sam’s Own performs more than 250 events each year throughout south Texas honoring America’s service members and veterans, connecting the U.S. Army to the public, and inspiring Americans to serve.
CW2 Knight is a native of Lagro, Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 as a saxophone player obtaining the MOS 42R. In 2019, Mr. Knight was appointed Warrant Officer One and achieved the MOS 420C Army Bandmaster/Commander.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana State University (2000) and a Master of Music in saxophone performance from Michigan State University (2002). He is certified at a 2+/3 level on the Department of Defense Language Proficiency Test 5 (DLPT5) for Japanese and licensed to teach K-12 instrumental/choral/general music in the state of Indiana. His conducting teachers include Wayne Toews, director of the University of Saskatchewan Chamber Orchestra and Saito Conducting Method Workshop, Colonel Retired Akira Takeda, Commander/Conductor of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Central Band and Professor John Boyd, Director of Bands at Indiana State University.
Mr. Knight’s career in the U.S. Army has taken him to a variety of assignments: Musician with The Training and Doctrine Command Band, Music Performance Team Leader with the 1st Armored Division Band, Brigade Band Recruiting Liaison with the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), Operations Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Acting Commander of the United States Army Japan Band, Commander of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Band, and since July 2023, Commander of the 323d Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own” San Antonio, Texas.
He is married to Mamiko Knight, a native of Japan. They have one son, one daughter and a corgi named Ralph.
Pr of es s or Ron El l i s serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Prof Ellis conducts the UTSA Wind Ensemble, and the UTSA Athletic Bands. His responsibilities also include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, wind literature, and music education. A nationally recognized guest conductor, adjudicator, and composer/arranger, his works for concert band, orchestra and choir are performed by university, community, high school and professional wind bands as well as in Carnegie Hall. He also currently serves as a music director for Walt Disney Attractions Entertainment in Orlando where he has directed the Toy Soldiers and the Student Musician Program since 1993 and served as conductor for the Candlelight Processional Professional Orchestra in Epcot Center.
Professor Ellis was chosen as the inaugural band director for the UTSA Spirit of San Antonio for its debut along with UTSA Football in 2011. In the band’s first year, 220 members participated and this number has grown to over 320 in this season’s 13th edition of the ensemble.
He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. He is also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Prof. Ellis received his Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Music in Wind and Orchestral Conducting from the University of South Florida where he was a conducting student of William Wiedrich. " F o r t S a m ' s O w n " 3 2 3 d A r m y B a n d
“Fort Sam’s Own” is the premier Army Band of Military City USA (San Antonio, TX). They perform multiple genres of music around the San Antonio community through several of their small music performance teams. These teams include a Ceremonial band, Concert Band, Brass Quintet, Brass Band, Jazz Combo, Rock Band, and Woodwind Quintet. The 323d Army Band "Fort Sam's Own" was initially constituted on Jan. 15, 1944 as the 323rd Army Band in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., to serve as the Army Medical Corps’ school band. In June 1946, Fort Sam Houston was established as the home of Army medicine, relocating both the Army Medical Corps and the 323d to Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The 323d was re-designated multiple times throughout the years and also allotted to the Regular on Army Oct. 25, 1951, serving almost 25 years until its deactivation on June 25, 1975. 323d was reactivated at Fort Sam Houston on Sep. 16, 1995, replacing the deactivated 5th Army Band, to support U.S. Army North, U.S. Army South, the Army Medical School, and the Brooke Army Medical Center. The 323d Army Band "Fort Sam's Own" was officially realigned under ARNORTH on Oct. 19, 2011.
The UTSA Wind Symphony is comprised of UTSA Students who have achieved an extreme high level of musicianship and who perform some of the most challenging music composed for wind band. Membership in this ensemble is open to all UTSA Students, regardless of major, who audition at the beginning of each semester. The UTSA Wind Symphony maintains a vigorous performance schedule of three demanding concerts each semester as well as an ensemble tour when schedule and budget permits.
Chi ef War r ant Of f i cer 4 ( Ret i r ed) Char l es Booker a native of Natchez, Mississippi, is a former U.S. Army Bandmaster, and Associate Professor at the University of ArkansasFort Smith. He served the university as Director of Jazz Studies, Director of Bands, and Chair of the Music Department. During his tenure at UA Fort Smith he taught trumpet, band, jazz band, conducting, music theory, orchestration and composition. Mr. Booker was a student of Al Sturchio and Dan Schreiber and studied trumpet with Gary Rosenblatt and Jan Roller. He studied composition with Hank Levy (composer/arranger for Stan Kenton), Dr. Steve Strunk and Dr. James Balentine, and conducting with Dr. Robert Garofalo and Dr. Robert Rustowicz. Mr. Booker received his degrees from the University of the State of New York and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He later completed courses for Texas teacher certification in secondary music at Texas State University and holds a Texas Teaching Certificate.
Mr. Booker has over 100 compositions published by Alfred, Kendor, Southern Music Company, Wingert -Jones, Potenza Music, Print Music Source, and Lecta Music. Mr. Booker’s music has been performed internationally by schools, universities, community bands and professional bands and orchestras that include the Fort Smith Symphony Orchestra, The U.S. Army Band and Orchestra ("Pershing’s Own"), the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Military Academy Band (West Point), the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America and the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. Mr. Booker’s 21 year career in the U.S. Army included service in the Fifth Army Band in San Antonio, Texas, staff arranger for the Army Field Band, conductor of Army Bands in Louisiana, Germany, New York City, and director of the Jazz Ambassadors in Washington, D.C. As a trumpeter with the Fifth Army Band, Mr. Booker performed for the funerals of Presidents Truman and Johnson. In 1981, as the conductor of the 3rd Armored Division Band in Germany, Mr. Booker conducted ceremonies at Rhein Main Air Force Base for the returning American hostages from Iran. In New York City, he conducted the Army Band of New York City at ceremonies for head of states of the United States, Germany, France, Netherlands, Portugal and China, and his band performed at the centennial activities of the Statue of Liberty. While an associate conductor of the Army Field Band and director of the Jazz Ambassadors, Mr. Booker performed at the Kennedy Center, in 48 states, India, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and marched in the inauguration parades of Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton.
He was Interim Director of Bands at Trinity University from 1996 to 1997 and assistant editor at Southern Music Company from 1994 to 1997. Charles Booker has been recognized by the Mayor of Fort Smith (the 2006 "Mayor’s Honors to the Visual and performing Arts"), the North Side Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas (the 2008 "Pillars of Character Award") and received the Arkansas Arts Council Award in music composition for 2009. He is past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the College Band Directors National Association, past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators, current member of the Texas Bandmaster Association, the Association of Concert Bands and is a past president (2010) of the Arkansas Bandmaster Association. Mr. Booker is also a retired member of the Texas Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
In 2007, the New Mexico State University Symphonic Winds released their CD entitled "Centra-fuge: The Music of Charles L. Booker, Jr.”, and in 2008, Mr. Booker released his second CD "American Jubilee”. Booker’s CD "Time Remembered” was released in 2009, and his CD "Radiant Blues” was released in 2011. In 2013 Mr. Booker and fellow composer Roger Cichy released a compilation of their latest original music on their CD “Glorious Journey”.
Mr. Booker is married to his wife of 49 years, trumpeter and quilter, Claudette [DeRocher] Booker of San Antonio, Texas. They have three children: Major Erik Booker, U. S. Army (Retired) and Maryland public school teacher; Dr. Adam Booker, Assistant Professor of Double Bass at Appalachian State University, and Dr. Colleen Booker Halverson of Richland Center, Wisconsin, author, English professor and mentor at Western Governors University. Mr. Booker and Claudette have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
CW5 J eanne Y Pac e , daughter of the late Major (RET) Edward L. Pace (USAF) and the late Mrs. Faye J. Pace (Corporal, Women’s Air Force, WAF 49-51), entered the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) upon graduation from Lakes High School, Tacoma, Washington in 1972.
After completing WAC Basic Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, as the Honor Graduate, she received accelerated promotion to Private E-2 and was assigned to the 14th Army “WAC” Band (the only band open to women at the time). Follow-on enlisted assignments took her to: Fort Amador, Panama (77-79); Fort Lewis, Washington (79-81); and the U S Army Element, Navy School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia, first as a student, then joined the staff (81-85) She graduated the USAESOM Section Leader Course (F2) and the Group Leader Course (Zulu). She attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) prior to becoming a Warrant Officer.
After graduating as the Distinguished Military Graduate of the Warrant Officer Entry Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1985, she was appointed a Chief Warrant Officer Two and reported to Fort Hood, Texas as the Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division Band (85-90) She was the first woman to serve on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Warrant Officer Bandmaster. Her follow-on assignments included commanding the 79th Army Band, Fort Clayton, Panama (90-93); 399th Army Band, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (93-96) and The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Fort Myer, Virginia (96-04). She served as the Army Bands Proponency Officer at the Adjutant General School, Soldier Support Institute, Fort Jackson, South Carolina (04-09) and then with the G-1, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (10-11), serving as the USF-I, J1 Executive Officer. CW5 Pace reported to the 1st Cavalry Division Band in April 2011 as the Rear Detachment Commander and then served as Commander of the band from March 2012 to November 2014
She is a graduate of all levels of Army Warrant Office training and was promoted to CW5 in 2002. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts degree in Management. Her military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4th award), Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal (3rd award), Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), Meritorious Unit Award, and the Superior Unit Award.
CW5 Pace is a Distinguished Member of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” and is the recipient of the Infantry Order of Saint Maurice in the rank of Legionnaire. She is also a Distinguished Member of the Adjutant General’s Corps Regiment and recipient of the Order of the Horatio Gates Lifetime Award. CW5 Pace was the National Daughters American Revolution Margaret Cochran Corbin Annual Service Award recipient for 2011 (awarded annually to one service woman). In 2014 she was recognized by the International Women’s Brass Conference for her service and as a pioneer for women in music. In 2015 she was commissioned both an Honorary Texan and a Yellow Rose of Texas by the Governor of Texas. She was inducted into the Adjutant General’s Corps Hall of Fame, class of 2019.
At the time of her retirement in October 2015 CW5 Pace was the last of the former WAC Band members, the longest serving Warrant Officer, and the longest serving female of any rank still serving, having completed more than 43 years of continuous combined active duty in the WAC and U.S. Army. She has been the Guest Speaker at numerous Women’s History Month (pre and post-retirement) events including several invitations to speak at Fort Hood (now Cavasos), while in Iraq, and by invitation to Camp Casey, Japan, and The U.S. Military Academy, West Point. She is a lifetime member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association, The Old Guard Association, The Adjutant General’s Corp Regimental Association and the Association of Military Musicians She is a Charter Member of the Women in Service for America and the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association - Army Women United Chapter 121 – The Musicians Chapter. She resides in Killeen, Texas and enjoys sharing her passion for music and crafting, traveling, spending quality time with family, friends, and her Yorkie Rescue “fur-baby” Teanney.
Yv et t e Be n a v i de z Ga r c i a is the daughter of Roy P. Benavidez, a distinguished Medal of Honor recipient renowned for his valor and heroism during the Vietnam War. Growing up under the shadow of such an extraordinary figure, Yvette has channeled her family's legacy of courage and dedication into her own pursuits. She is the author of a children's book called, "Tango Mike Mike: The Story of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez," that shares her father's remarkable story in a way that is accessible and inspiring for young readers. Additionally, Yvette manages social media accounts dedicated to her father's legacy, ensuring that his heroism remains relevant and celebrated in today's society. Her commitment to preserving and promoting her father's legacy, honoring the sacrifices of veterans, and supporting the military community reflects the values of bravery and resilience that define her family's enduring legacy.
