January 2008

         Keith William Hodgson, received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ and has been pursuing graduate studies at Central Connecticut State University in Music Education, and Rowan University in Educational Administration and Supervision.

         Mr. Hodgson, now in his nineteenth year as a high school band director, is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey where he oversees a three-tiered Concert program, conducting the Wind Symphony, (an eight time NJ State Gala Honor Band 2000-2007) and the Symphonic Band.  He also directs the Jazz Band, and Pit Orchestra for the musical theater and teaches the Music Theory and Advanced Placement Music Theory classes. He has been a Marching Band director for seventeen years and recently led the Mainland Band to win the NJ State Championship for USSBA Group II in 2005 and in 2006.

         In 2003, Mr. Hodgson received education’s highest honor, National Board Certification. This is a three year certification program that recognizes highly accomplished teachers in their field.  Mr. Hodgson is the first music educator from New Jersey to receive National Board Certification. Mr. Hodgson also works for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards in the benchmarking, training, and scoring process for the National Board Certificate in music. He presented a session on National Board Certification in music at the MidWest Band Clinic in 2007.

         Mr. Hodgson is the founding Conductor and Music Director for the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, an adult community band of music educators and professional musicians. In 2006, the SJAWE was awarded the “Sudler Silver Scroll Award” by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to recognize “North America’s Most Prestigious Community Bands.” As Director of the SJAWE since 1997, the SJAWE has commissioned and premiered eight works for wind band and has the ensemble conducted annually by high profile guest conductors and composers. The ensemble performs six concerts each year and explores large quantities of wind band literature.  Mr. Hodgson has studied conducting and band literature with Stephen Melillo, Anthony Maiello, and Dr. Mallory Thompson.

         As an active guest conductor, Mr. Hodgson  has conducted the South Jersey, Region III Symphonic Band, the Atlantic Brass Band, and the South Brandywine Middle School Honor Band in 2002, the Bucks County Festival Honor Band in 2003, the Western Burlington County Band (NJ) in 2005 and the Laurel Summer Music Camp in Connecticut in 2006 & 2007. He is currently the Past-President for the South Jersey Band and Orchestra Director’s Association. 

         Mr. Hodgson was honored in the 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers by his former students.  Mr. Hodgson and his wife Jennifer, who is also a high school band director, also serve as Symphonic Band Director’s for the American Music Abroad Gold Tour, (annual European Tour of six countries.)  They reside in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

"As a teacher, his personal motivations and high expectations stimulates our students in working harder. His ability to transfer his love of music to his students is remarkable."   
Dr. Judith Koru, Principal 
Mainland Regional High School