Jul. 16—After an extensive search, the Austin Symphonic Band announced the appointment of Pottsville native Kyle R. Glaser as the new music director of the Austin Symphonic Band.

Glaser is only the fourth music director since the band formed in 1981, following in the footsteps of Frank Simon (1981 — 82), Randol Bass (1983 — 85) and Richard Floyd (1986 — 2021). He was chosen from a field of outstanding candidates and had served as the band's guest conductor for its Nov. 14, 2021, concert at Weiss High School titled "Stage and Screen."

"I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Austin Symphonic Band family," Glaser said in accepting his appointment. "Community bands have had a tremendous impact on my life, and to have the opportunity to conduct this storied program with so many talented musicians is a dream come true. ... I am truly honored for the opportunity to serve ASB and the greater Austin area. I hope you will all come see and hear this wonderful community in concert."

Glaser serves as associate director of bands and associate professor of music at Texas State University, where he conducts the symphonic winds, oversees all athletic bands and teaches various methods classes. He holds a doctorate in music in conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, a master's degree in music in conducting from Rutgers University and a bachelor's degree in music education from the Pennsylvania State University. He graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 1993.

Prior to his appointment at Texas State, Glaser served as director of bands at East Stroudsburg Area South Senior High School in northeast Pennsylvania and as interim director of the East Stroudsburg University Community Concert Band. He maintains an active schedule as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator nationwide.

His significant research of the music of Robert Russell Bennett has resulted in a performance edition of the wind band suite, "Down to the Sea in Ships," issued by Alfred Publications. He co-authored the workbook, "Conducting Enrichment: Daily Exercises for the Conducting Curriculum," published by Sentia Publishing, and has contributed several chapters to GIA Publications' "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band" series. He served as national vice president for professional relations for Tau Beta Sigma, the national band sorority.

Glaser's professional memberships include the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the National Association for Music Education, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the International Society for the Research & Promotion of Wind Music and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He was also inducted into the East Stroudsburg Area School District Music Hall of Fame.

Glaser will conduct the first concert of his inaugural season as music director on Sept. 18 at the Zilker Hillside Theater. He lives in Austin with his wife, Suzanne, a band director at Gorzycki Middle School, and their daughter, Eryn. He is the son of John Glaser and Linda Ryan Brennan, of Pottsville.