Laurie J. Kunzle
Composer | Performer | Educator
Laurie J. Kunzle is a composer, musician, and educator in New Jersey. A teacher for over 34 years and retired Director of Bands at Lakeland Regional High School Wanaque, NJ for 25 years. Kunzle composes works for concert band, all instrumental ensembles, and arranges for the marching arts. Her compositions have been played by the Dallas Wind Symphony brass, the Ridgewood Concert Band, Hanover Wind Symphony, NJ Region 1 Symphonic Band, and ensembles across the U.S., U.K. and Australia. A winner in the Dallas Wind Symphony fanfare contest and has received commissions from First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake MN, Ben Franklin Middle School, Ridgewood NJ, Vernon Township HS Concert Band, Vernon NJ, Ridgewood HS Bands 100th Anniversary 2023, and the All Saints Episcopal Church 150th Anniversary 2023.
A clarinetist and conductor, Kunzle performs with the New Jersey Wind Symphony, the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, and is a freelance musician. She has performed with the Summit Symphony, Kennett Symphony, Paramus Symphony, Ramapo Wind Symphony, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, National Community Band in Las Vegas. She has conducted over 30 musicals and performs on clarinet & saxophone with theater groups including; Count Basie Center, Barn Theatre, Playhouse22, and Oradell Theatre. Kunzle has studied conducting with Mallory Thompson, Jeffrey Renshaw, Jacques Vois and has guest conducted with school ensembles, honors bands, NJ Wind Symphony, Hanover Wind Symphony, and American Music Abroad, Â Â Kunzle has been involved in the Marching Arts teaching, writing, performing and adjudicating. Over three decades working as an arranger, design team member, and instructor for marching bands and drum corps including the Temple University Diamond Band, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Wind Jammers, Pride of Bristol U.K., the Bushwackers, and the CT Hurricanes. Horn player with the Garfield Cadets and drum major, brass staff & arranger with the Bushwackers. Kunzle is an adjudicator for marching band festivals and a member of the National Judges Association for Tournament of Bands. Â Â As an educator, Kunzle has been honored and recognized for her contributions to the communities and schools. She was named in Outstanding Young Women in America for 1999, 2004, 2010 and 2023. A recipient of the 2011 VFW post 6765 Teacher of the Year, the 2012 VFW District 1 Teacher of the Year and the VFW NJ State High School Teacher of the Year for 2012. Kunzle was honored by the Knights of Columbus of Ringwood, NJ with the 2020 Community Service Award and Citizen of the year and recognized in 2020 by the American Legion Post 246 of Haskell NJ for service to the community. In May 2022 Kunzle was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day parade in Wanaque, NJ for the 25 years of service to the veterans of the community. Â Recently chosen to represent Band Directors from across the country, performing with the Band Directors Marching Band in the 2022 Rose Parade, CA. and the 2023 MACY's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.
