Artistic Director

William J. Barbanera…

… a native of Miami, has lived on the Suncoast since 1982 and is on the faculties of both the St. Petersburg College and State College of Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music in Performance of Multiple Winds degree from Florida State University and is active as an adjudicator for the Florida Bandmaster Association.

Bill was appointed Artistic Director of the Sarasota Concert Band in 1997 and has led the organization through many exciting performances including “The Sarasota Story” at Van Wezel.

Bill performs on saxophone with both the Sarasota Orchestra and the Florida Orchestra. Solo and chamber music appearances include performances at conventions of the North America Saxophone Alliance, the National association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, the Florida Flute Association and the Sarasota Pops Orchestra.

Founder/conductor of the Sarasota Saxophone Orchestra and the Sarasota Flute Choir, he is the owner of the Barbanera Woodwind Studio in Sarasota.