Dale Hertrick BIO
Dale Hertrick was born and raised in the Pittsburgh, PA area. He began playing the clarinet at age 10. Dale developed a strong interest in saxophone and jazz after hearing Paul Desmond and began playing alto saxophone 1970. He graduated from Bethel Park High School in 1975, and attended Duquesne University as a Music Education major in the fall of 1975, studying with Nestor Koval. He performed on clarinet and saxophone during his time at Duquesne. Dale’s student teaching in the spring semester of 1979 was done at West Mifflin South High School under the supervision of Vito DiSalvo.
Dale began teaching in the fall of 1982 at Welch Middle School in Houston, Texas, teaching Guitar, English Handbells and Harp classes to grades 6-8. After 6 years in Houston, Tx he returned to PA and continued teaching first at the City of Monessen, then at Pittsburgh Public Schools. His last assignment was 16 years at Rogers CAPA Middle School and the merged Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12. Dale has also been a PMEA District 1 Elementary Band West conductor, District 6 Jazz Festival Conductor and has conducted two District 3 Jazz Festivals. He directed the Pittsburgh Public Schools All City Senior Orchestra and All City Junior Band while also working for Centers for the Musically Talented for 11 years. Dale retired from public school teaching in 2015 after 33 years but continues to be active in teaching and working for community arts organizations.
Dale began his professional performance career in 1976 with a summer performing at Cedar Point in Ohio. He joined the We Three Trio in the summer of 1977. After moving to Houston in 1982, Dale was active playing shows and performing with many musical groups including playing with
Conrad O. Johnson Big Band, The Chuck Nolan Big Band and some major shows through Conrad Johnson and the Danny Ward Orchestra.
Upon returning to the Pittsburgh Area in 1988, he began playing with the Tim Rogers Big Band, shows at the Radisson Hotel in Monroeville, PA and other groups.
In February of 1993, Dale started The Burgh Big Band with his wife Lora and Jim Sheppard. For years The Burgh Big Band performed at the California University of PA Jazz Experience the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Sunday Night Jazz Concerts, school events and many public and private functions for 25 years.
In addition to leading the Burgh Big Band, Dale has performed with the Balcony Big Band, 13 years at the Three Rivers Saxophone Quartet Saxophone Workshop. He has been a member of the Eastwinds Symphonic Band for 21 years and the New Horizons Band of Pittsburgh for 10 years.
Dale is very grateful to have experienced a rich and varied nearly 50 year musical performance and music teaching career!!
Dale began teaching in the fall of 1982 at Welch Middle School in Houston, Texas, teaching Guitar, English Handbells and Harp classes to grades 6-8. After 6 years in Houston, Tx he returned to PA and continued teaching first at the City of Monessen, then at Pittsburgh Public Schools. His last assignment was 16 years at Rogers CAPA Middle School and the merged Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12. Dale has also been a PMEA District 1 Elementary Band West conductor, District 6 Jazz Festival Conductor and has conducted two District 3 Jazz Festivals. He directed the Pittsburgh Public Schools All City Senior Orchestra and All City Junior Band while also working for Centers for the Musically Talented for 11 years. Dale retired from public school teaching in 2015 after 33 years but continues to be active in teaching and working for community arts organizations.
Dale began his professional performance career in 1976 with a summer performing at Cedar Point in Ohio. He joined the We Three Trio in the summer of 1977. After moving to Houston in 1982, Dale was active playing shows and performing with many musical groups including playing with
Conrad O. Johnson Big Band, The Chuck Nolan Big Band and some major shows through Conrad Johnson and the Danny Ward Orchestra.
Upon returning to the Pittsburgh Area in 1988, he began playing with the Tim Rogers Big Band, shows at the Radisson Hotel in Monroeville, PA and other groups.
In February of 1993, Dale started The Burgh Big Band with his wife Lora and Jim Sheppard. For years The Burgh Big Band performed at the California University of PA Jazz Experience the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Sunday Night Jazz Concerts, school events and many public and private functions for 25 years.
In addition to leading the Burgh Big Band, Dale has performed with the Balcony Big Band, 13 years at the Three Rivers Saxophone Quartet Saxophone Workshop. He has been a member of the Eastwinds Symphonic Band for 21 years and the New Horizons Band of Pittsburgh for 10 years.
Dale is very grateful to have experienced a rich and varied nearly 50 year musical performance and music teaching career!!