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U.S. Army Band chief returning to SUNY Potsdam for commencement address, honorary degree

Posted 5/16/13

POTSDAM -- U.S. Army Band Leader and Commander Colonel Thomas H. Palmatier will receive an honorary doctor of music degree and will speak to graduates at SUNY Potsdam’s Class of 2013 at …

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U.S. Army Band chief returning to SUNY Potsdam for commencement address, honorary degree

Posted

POTSDAM -- U.S. Army Band Leader and Commander Colonel Thomas H. Palmatier will receive an honorary doctor of music degree and will speak to graduates at SUNY Potsdam’s Class of 2013 at commencement ceremonies Sunday, May 19.

Palmatier, a 1975 graduate of the college’s Crane School of Music, will return to his alma mater to offer the keynote address to approximately 750 bachelor's graduates and hundreds of family members and friends in the Academic Quad.

“As the senior musician in the Department of Defense, Colonel Palmatier has set an example of leadership through the arts, and has shown steadfast support for music education across the nation, and at Potsdam in particular,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller.

Originally from Ballston Spa, Palmatier earned his bachelor of music degree, magna cum laude, in applied music and went on to earn his master of fine arts degree in music from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. He also later completed a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Palmatier was honored with the 2010 Minerva Award by the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association.

Palmatier was appointed ninth leader and commander of the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," in August 2011. He previously served as commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Field Band, making him the first officer to command both of the Army's top premier bands. Also, he has served as commandant of the U.S. Army School of Music, responsible for the training of Army Band soldiers and officers for the Army's 106 bands worldwide.

Palmatier has led the White House Herald Trumpets, performing at presidential ceremonies, and supervised the group during the opening ceremonies for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. He conducted the first foreign band to perform inside the Kremlin, in honor of the 60th anniversary of V-E Day. He has conducted performances at five presidential inaugurations.

His support for his alma mater has been shown is his enthusiasm to return to lead master classes and conduct at The Crane School of Music and Crane Youth Music camp.