Mark Lortz is band and orchestra director at Westminster High School in Westminster, Maryland, where he directs the orchestra, concert and marching bands, percussion ensemble, color guard, and electronic and computer music program. Under his leadership, the school’s music department has received awards from MENC and the Maryland MEA for exemplary music programs, and was selected as a national semifinalist GRAMMY Signature School. The marching band has also won titles at numerous regional band competitions.

Mr. Lortz earned degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in percussion performance, music education, and composition. He has performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Symphony, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Baltimore Opera Orchestra, the Gettysburg Symphony, the Dallas Brass, the New York Pops Orchestra, and in orchestras with various concert and theatrical productions.

Mr. Lortz’s original music, arrangements, and transcriptions have been premiered at the Midwest Clinic and the BOA National Percussion Festival, and by universities, music schools, conservatories, and high schools across the nation. He is the front ensemble coordinator and arranger for the DCA world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, and has arranged marching band music for high schools and colleges throughout the country.

Mr. Lortz is constantly in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor, and is a marching percussion specialist and scholastic educator for the Vic Firth Percussion Education Program. In 2006, Mr. Lortz was recognized by School Band & Orchestra magazine as one of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.