Clem Rolin BIO
Clem Rolin earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees at
Duquesne University, and served as the director of bands at
Montour High School, South Fayette High School, and Robert
Morris University. He is currently serving in his sixteenth season
as Principal Conductor, Music Director and arranger for the
Pittsburgh area’s esteemed West Hills Symphonic Band.
In his 60 plus years of performing at area music venues, Clem
Rolin was equally comfortable accepting calls for bass, valve
trombone or vocals. As an arranger, he’s penned countless charts
for not only his own chamber and small ensembles, but also
marching, jazz and concert bands. Mr. Rolin also arranged
volumes of music for the marching bands at the University of
Pittsburgh (along with his hero, Joe Campus), Duquesne
University and many high schools in the tri-state area.
Some of Maestro Rolin’s guest conducting and clinician
appearances include three PMEA Honors Jazz Band Festivals,
two Washington County Honors Band Festivals, the 1987
American Youth Symphonic Band European tour, and has served
twice as guest conductor of the World Civic Orchestra at New
York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
In 1994, he answered the call to start both a marching band and
pep band at (then) Robert Morris College to coordinate with the
initial season of NCAA college football at the institution. He stayed
on through its transition to university status and taught Humanities
(Art, Music, & History) there as well.
The West Hills Symphonic Band has continued to be one of the
area’s most successful civic music ensembles under his
leadership, and has allowed him to realize his goal of keeping the
performances of both the historic orchestral band transcriptions,
and the iconic American Songbook compositions ALIVE and
WELL!
His reputable “proclivity“ for humor and comedy has led him to
serve as both an emcee and as a guest speaker for private and
public events throughout his career.
Duquesne University, and served as the director of bands at
Montour High School, South Fayette High School, and Robert
Morris University. He is currently serving in his sixteenth season
as Principal Conductor, Music Director and arranger for the
Pittsburgh area’s esteemed West Hills Symphonic Band.
In his 60 plus years of performing at area music venues, Clem
Rolin was equally comfortable accepting calls for bass, valve
trombone or vocals. As an arranger, he’s penned countless charts
for not only his own chamber and small ensembles, but also
marching, jazz and concert bands. Mr. Rolin also arranged
volumes of music for the marching bands at the University of
Pittsburgh (along with his hero, Joe Campus), Duquesne
University and many high schools in the tri-state area.
Some of Maestro Rolin’s guest conducting and clinician
appearances include three PMEA Honors Jazz Band Festivals,
two Washington County Honors Band Festivals, the 1987
American Youth Symphonic Band European tour, and has served
twice as guest conductor of the World Civic Orchestra at New
York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
In 1994, he answered the call to start both a marching band and
pep band at (then) Robert Morris College to coordinate with the
initial season of NCAA college football at the institution. He stayed
on through its transition to university status and taught Humanities
(Art, Music, & History) there as well.
The West Hills Symphonic Band has continued to be one of the
area’s most successful civic music ensembles under his
leadership, and has allowed him to realize his goal of keeping the
performances of both the historic orchestral band transcriptions,
and the iconic American Songbook compositions ALIVE and
WELL!
His reputable “proclivity“ for humor and comedy has led him to
serve as both an emcee and as a guest speaker for private and
public events throughout his career.