Jason Graham - Director of Bands
Mr. Jason R. Graham is the Director of Bands at Grove City High School has been teaching since 2007. He took leadership of the program in June of 2014. His responsibilities include directing the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band I, Jazz Band I, Pit Orchestra, and teaching beginning band classes at both Hayes and Park Street Intermediate Schools. During his time at Grove City High School, the band program has maintained its tradition of excellence by delivering engaging performances and a high level of participation at all OMEA Adjudicated events. Each ensemble consistently receives Superior ratings at every OMEA large group event they attend. Participation in Adjudicated Events is essential for the continued success and growth of the music program with nearly 100 events showcased at Solo and Ensemble each year and all concert ensembles participating yearly. In February of 2024, the Symphonic Band had the honor to perform at the 2024 OMEA Professional Development Conference. This is the 5th time this ensemble has performed at the PDC with previous performances occurring in 1993, 2001, 2014 and 2018.
Prior to his appointment at Grove City High School, Mr. Graham served as the Director of Bands and Choirs for seven years at Newton Local Schools in Pleasant Hill, Ohio. He taught 5th-grade band, 6th-grade band, Junior High Band, High School Band, Junior High Choir, High School Choir, and Music Theory. During his tenure at Newton, the High School and Junior High Concert Bands grew in numbers and quality, advancing from Class C to Class A, where they consistently received Superior ratings at district and state level events. In addition, the choirs grew from 25 to over 50 members and consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings at district and state contests. The 50-member marching band frequently received first place honors and was named grand champion at several local marching band events. The marching band qualified for state finals every year, also moved from Class C to Class A, and received Superior ratings at the OMEA State Marching Band Finals each year.
Mr. Graham studied both the tuba and piano at Otterbein College and completed his student teaching under Mr. George Edge. He graduated with honors and holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Mr. Graham also earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Ohio State University. He is a member of NAfME, the Ohio Music Education Association, the American School Band Directors Association, a Conn-Selmer VIP, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Graham has been involved with several ensembles, including The Alliance Barbershop Chorus, where he served as an assistant director for two seasons, the Sinclair Wind Symphony, the Ohio Valley British Brass Band, and The Brass Band of Columbus. He served as the Music caption head for marching band adjudications for OMEA from 2018 to 2024, and he is currently serving on the AE Committee in the role of Junior High Affairs. Mr. Graham is an active adjudicator for Marching Band, Large Group, and Solo and Ensemble contests, and he thoroughly enjoys traveling across the state to work with ensembles of all ability levels. Mr. Graham enjoys being with family and friends, cooking, golfing, and traveling in his free time. He lives in Columbus, OH.
Walt Riesenberg - Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion
Walter Riesenberg has been teaching at Grove City High School since 2004, where he serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and the Director of Percussion Studies. Mr. Riesenberg teaches the marching percussion section and assists with the marching band during the fall season. He co-directs Concert Band II during the concert season. All the groups he works with consistently earn superior ratings at OMEA events. Mr. Riesenberg instructs a percussion ensemble, a daily curricular course where students perform a diverse range of literature, including traditional concert percussion ensemble pieces and steel band music. He also directs Jazz Band II and teaches beginning percussion and saxophone at Hayes and Park Street Intermediate Schools.
Mr. Riesenberg holds a Bachelor's degree from Miami University and a Master's degree in Music Performance from Eastern Kentucky University. He marched in the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 1999. Mr. Riesenberg is a member of OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) and NSSBE (National Society of Steel Band Educators). He is also a proud husband to his wife, Sincere Lean Riesenberg, who is a talented baker.
Hannah Laubscher - Assistant Director of Bands
Ms. Hannah Laubscher is the Assistant Director of Bands for the Grove City High School Band Program and began working at GCHS in June of 2018. She is responsible for assisting with the GCHS Marching Band, co-directing two GCHS Concert Bands, and teaching beginner oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and euphonium classes at both Hayes and Park Street Intermediate Schools. Prior to her appointment at Grove City High School, Ms. Laubscher taught in Northeast Ohio, specifically in the Akron area.
Ms. Laubscher graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, summa cum laude, from the University of Akron in 2015. While at the University of Akron, she studied saxophone under Dr. Todd Gaffke and Mr. Rich Shanklin, and music education under Dr. Laurie Lafferty and Dr. Galen Karriker. In 2015, she had the honor of performing at the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference in DeKalb, Illinois as a member of the Take Two Saxophone Quartet. Ms. Laubscher completed her student teaching with Mr. Ryan Smith and Mrs. Karen Martin at Perry Local Schools in Massillon, Ohio. This year, Ms. Laubscher will complete the final summer session to earn her Master of Music in Music Education degree with Instrumental Emphasis at Capital University. Ms. Laubscher is currently a member of both NAfME and OMEA. She resides in Dublin, OH with her husband, Blaine, and their cats, Sylvia and Scotty.
Emily Faherty - Color Guard Director
Emily Faherty has been teaching the GCHS Color Guard for eight years. The color guard is currently 36 members strong. Ms. Ebert is a Grove City High School graduate and participated in color guard throughout her high school career. Emily has marched two years in Juxtaposition World Guard. She currently is employed with CAPA as well as SWCS substitute teaching for in her free time.