Mr. Forster has been an instrumental music teacher in the Messalonskee School District for eighteen years. He received his B.M. in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire and his M.M. in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Massachusetts. Mr. Forster has studied trumpet with John Foss, Robert Stibler, Walter Chesnut and Trent Austin. His conducting teachers include Stanley Hettinger, Malcolm Rowell, and Mark Russel Smith. his professional performing experience includes performances with the Downeast Brass Quintet, the UMF Wind Ensemble, the UMF Orchestra, the Bates College Orchestra, the Colby College Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, the Al Corey Jazz Orchestra, the Brian Nadeau Big Band, the Mount Washington Hotel Jazz Orchestra, the Mayflower Hill Brass Quintet, the Brass Maineiacs, and numerous musical theater productions. His conducting experience includes directing ensembles at the University of Massachusetts, the Summer Youth Music School (SYMS) at UNH, the Mid Maine Youth Orchestra (MMYO), the Kennebec Valley Music Educator's Association (KVMEA), and the Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) District II High School Honor Band. Mr. Forster has served KVMEA as Auditions Chair, President, and currently holds the office of Secretary. In 2006, Mr. Forster was named a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of high School Scholars. He resides in Oakland with his wife, Alicia, and their Golden Retrievers, Abby & Canoe. When Mr. Forster is not performing on his trumpet, he enjoys audio engineering, hiking, biking, skiing, and volunteering as an instructor and member of the National Ski Patrol. Email Andy |