Meet Our Director, Marty Becker
Martin R. Becker is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a B.M.E. from Morehead State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education and Performance from Ball State University. Mr. Becker has been teaching instrumental music for forty-nine years. He was a high school band director for 34 years. In 2002, he retired as the Director of Bands for Warsaw Community Schools, a position he held for seventeen years. He is now in his fifteenth year as the director of the Lake Area Community Band. In addition, he currently directs the Grace College Community Wind Ensemble and the Warsaw Optimist Singers.
He plays trumpet with the Truth in Jazz Big Band from Elkhart and with the Symphony of the Lakes, under the auspices of the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in Warsaw, Indiana. In addition to his playing and conducting, Mr. Becker serves as an adjudicator for Indiana State School Music Association. He is a Tour Director for Music Travel Consultants and has traveled extensively with music ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. He has served as Associate Conductor of the Indiana Ambassadors of Music Symphonic Band for the past twenty years.
Mr. Becker holds membership with the Indiana Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Indiana Music Educators, Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu, International Trumpet Guild and the Warsaw Morning Optimists Club. Twice he has served as president of the Indiana State School Music Association and the Indiana Bandmaster’s Association. He has received the Indiana Music Educator’s Distinguished Music Educator award. In 1994, he was awarded the Phi Beta Mu Indiana Outstanding Bandmaster award at the All State Band weekend. In 2002, the Ball State University Music Department presented him an Outstanding Alumni award. In 2009, he was elected to the Indiana Band Director Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was recognized by Peer Music Educators from Illinois, Michigan and Indiana and was awarded Michiana Outstanding Music Educator, sponsored by Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.
Meet Our Assistant Director, Joseph Peloza
Joseph Peloza is the Director of Bands at Edgewood and Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw, Indiana. He is currently in his 28th year of teaching, all in the State of Indiana.
Mr. Peloza’s primary instrument is the trumpet. He has taught at Knox Community Schools, Winamac Community Schools, Logansport Community Schools, and Warsaw Community Schools.
Mr. Peloza holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Music Education from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University.
He is an active member of the Indiana Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, performs regularly with the Wagon Wheel Theatre, Grace Community Wind Ensemble, and is a member of the Pathway Community Church Worship Arts Band.
Ensembles under Mr. Peloza’s direction have consistently earned Superior Ratings at both the regional and state level. Some of his most memorable highlights would include 2-time State Finalist for ISSMA Marching Band, 6-time IHSCGA Color Guard State Finalist-winning a state championship in 2001, 7-time IPA Percussion State Finalist-including state runner-up, Superior Ratings at ISSMA Organizational Contests, and numerous achievements from all his students. He was nominated for Teacher of the Year with the Warsaw Community Schools 3 times and was Teacher of the Year at Edgewood Middle School.
Joseph lives in Warsaw, Indiana with his wife Shannon and their two children Ian (17) and Victoria (11).
