About our guest conductor for the May 19, 2013 concert:   Lt. Cdr. John Pastin is the Dean of the College of Performing Arts and Director of Bands at Rowan University. Lieutenant Commander Pastin is a thirty-year veteran of the US Navy's Music Program, and has commanded, trained and performed with some of the Navy's most prestigious bands, including: the Navy Show Band, the Navy Band at Pearl Harbor; Navy Band Seattle; NATO Forces Band in Naples, Italy; U.S. Naval Academy Band, Annapolis; Navy Band, New Orleans; Navy Band, Orlando, Florida; and the premier United States Navy Band, Washington, DC. His performances include concerts and ceremonies at the White House and US Pentagon; Carnegie Hall, New York; Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Constitution Hall, Washington, DC; Meyerson Hall, Dallas TX; the Vatican; Saint Petersburg, Russia; Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; and tours to all fifty states. Commander Pastin received many personal military awards, including: the Legion of Merit and Joint Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Meritorious Service, Commendation and Achievement Medals, and the Colonel George S. Howard Award for Musical Excellence. He is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, Association of Concert Bands, College Band Directors National Association, and the John Philip Sousa Society. Commander Pastin holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of the State of New York, Master of Music Degree from Northwestern University, and has completed Doctoral studies (DMA) in band conducting at the University of Maryland.