Dr. Jeffrey L. Traster
Concert Band Director
Jeffrey L. Traster, DMA is Music Professor Emeritus at The University of Tampa where he served as Director of Bands and Head of Music Education for nineteen years, including Music Department Chair for six years. Dr. Traster has taught in Texas, Ohio, and Florida. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, composer, tuba player and low-brass instructor.
Dr. Traster earned degrees from Baylor University (BME), The University of Colorado at Boulder (MM), and The University of Texas at Austin (DMA). Primary amongst his conducting instructors and mentors are Richard Floyd, Allan McMurray, and Tom Lee. He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and ASCAP.
Following his tenure at The University of Tampa, Dr. Traster turned to composing and founded Allegrezza Music Publications. Much of Dr. Traster’s music is composed for his students, Honor Bands, and special occasions. His oeuvre includes music for concert band, low brass chamber ensemble/choir, jazz band, voice, a VBS curriculum with original songs (created and produced in collaboration with colleagues from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL), and solos for trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba with piano. Eighteen pieces by Dr. Traster are on the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Solo & Ensemble List. WAY DOWN for Concert Band, commissioned by the FBA for the Nine Star Honor Band, premiered in Florida at the 2022 FBA Summer Conference.
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Jeff and his wife, Denise, reside in Tampa. They have four grown daughters and five grandchildren.
Mark Deen
Jazz Band Director
Originally from Pennsylvania, Mark Deen holds a B.A. in Music from Gettysburg College and studied Instrumental Music Education at West Chester University. After relocating to Tampa, he completed his Florida Teacher Certification at the University of South Florida.
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Mark brings over thirty years of experience in music ministry, having served as Worship and Arts Director at several United Methodist Churches. He also founded the Instrumental Music Program at Westlake Christian School. Mark is the co-founder and leader of Bones South, a distinguished trombone ensemble, and his compositions and arrangements have been featured on the nationally distributed Gettysburg College Bullets Marching Band CD.
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Now retired, Mark continues his musical journey through composing new works and performing with various ensembles. His enduring legacy is shaped by his belief in music’s power to enrich lives and unite people across generations.
Mark and his wife, Julez, reside in Hudson with their three rescue dogs. Together, they share a passion for music—especially vocal performance—and are currently developing a YouTube channel chronicling their RV travels across 30 states over the past three years.
