About Us
The Seacoast Wind Ensemble (SWE) is a community band comprising approximately 65 members from diverse backgrounds. It serves the regions of New Hampshire, Northern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Mark Stickney, who serves as the Artistic Director, and Jon Roth, who serves as the Assistant Director.
Dr. Mark Stickney
Artistic Director
Dr. Mark A Stickney was appointed the Artistic Director of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in 2016.
Throughout his 20-year college teaching career, he held conducting, brass teaching, and music
education positions at the Community College of Rhode Island, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Plymouth State University, Salve Regina University, and Southern Utah University. An active clinic and guest conductor, Dr. Stickney has traveled nationwide, working with bands and orchestras of all levels.
Currently, Dr. Stickney lives in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and is the founder of Historic Music of Newport, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rich musical heritage of Newport, Rhode Island. He also works part-time for the Preservation Society of Newport County and serves on the board of Newport Live Presents. He received his BA in Music and Religion from Gettysburg College, his MA in Tuba Performance from Montclair State University (NJ), and his DMA in Wind Conducting from Rutgers University (NJ).
Jon Roth
Assistant Conductor
John Roth has been a music educator in Maine and New Hampshire for over 25 years. He is currently director of music at Shapleigh Middle School in Kittery, ME, where he conducts three concert bands, a jazz ensemble, and a middle school chorus as well as teaching 4th and 5th grade general music classes.
Mr. Roth received his bachelor's degree in music education from Gordon College and a master's degree in music from the University of Connecticut. He is also a long-time counselor and coach at the Southern Maine Junior Music Academy summer band camp. He was recently the guest conductor for the Maine District 3 Sixth Grade Honors Music Festival.
Andrea
Flute
Andrea Kenter has had a lifelong connection to music, shaped by her family’s strong musical background. Her aunt was a piano instructor at Juilliard, her uncle played oboe with the Indianapolis and Tucson Symphonies, and her father was a flutist. Growing up, she often listened to her father practice, making music an integral part of her home. As a high school student, she played a 1910 Haynes flute. Although she had the opportunity to pursue a college music scholarship for tenor saxophone, she chose a different path. However, music remained a part of her life, and she eventually joined the Seacoast Wind Ensemble around 2016. She enjoys the challenge of the music and the camaraderie within the group, feeling honored to play alongside such talented musicians.
Outside of music, Andrea's life has been equally eventful. In the early 1980s, she was an avid competitive tennis player. During a trip to Panama with her doubles partner, they ended up playing a match against the bodyguards of Omar Torrijos, the country’s de facto dictator at the time.
Andrea pursued a career in geology, earning her degree and becoming a licensed Professional Geologist in New Hampshire. She is now part-owner of an environmental and engineering consulting firm based in Manchester, specializing in the investigation and remediation of petroleum releases. Her work spans from handling home heating oil spills to managing Getty’s legacy portfolio in New Hampshire.
In 1991, Andrea and her husband settled in Kingston, New Hampshire, where they purchased a farmhouse and seven acres of land. There, they raised their three children—Linas, Daris, and Magdalena. When they first acquired the property, it was a large-scale chicken farm that cycled through 10,000 birds every six weeks. Over time, the chicken coop transitioned into a space for car renovation projects, an indoor archery range, and a metalworking shop.
Beyond her career and music, Andrea is deeply involved in the equestrian community. She is a carded horse show judge and volunteers extensively with the New Hampshire 4-H horse program, coaching horse knowledge teams at the county, state, and national levels each year.
Andrea's diverse passions and experiences reflect her adventurous and dedicated nature. And when she’s not busy with music, geology, or horses, she enjoys relaxing with a good double IPA. She also has a playful side—after a few beers, she might even pull out the spoons for a bit of music.
Jim
Tuba
Jim is a dedicated tuba player with a long and evolving history in the brass world. He began his musical journey in seventh grade with the trumpet, then switched to euphonium in eighth grade, followed by tenor trombone in ninth. His progression continued in tenth grade when he moved to bass trombone, an instrument he played throughout high school and into college. However, his career and overseas work led him to step away from music for a time. In the early 2000s, he picked it up again and eventually made his final "downward brass slide" to the tuba, which he now plays exclusively.
Jim joined the Seacoast Wind Ensemble around 2004 as a bass trombonist but later transitioned to playing only the tuba in the band. For him, the best part of SWE is being surrounded by friends and colleagues, all working together to produce high-quality musical performances. He appreciates the band's mix of musicians, from those who once played at a high level but may have slowed down, to those who still play brilliantly. Regardless of skill level, he values the shared expectation that every member works hard to play their part, ensuring that no one lets the group down.
Outside of music, Jim lives in Lee, New Hampshire, where he runs a small farm. He raises elk, meat chickens, and Asian pears, along with anything else he can sell profitably. Before transitioning to full-time farming, he spent 30 years as a hydrogeologist, specializing in groundwater issues.
In addition to his work in science and agriculture, Jim also has experience in public service. He had the honor of serving as a Lee Selectman for six years—a challenging and often thankless role that, as he puts it, helped him develop "the hide of a Cape Buffalo." While he may not be eager to do it again, the experience left a lasting impression.
Board of Directors
Presisdent
Ian McCarthy
Vice President
Holly Gagnon
Secretary
Rachel Burdin
Treasurer
Kathryn Nedelka
Associate Treasurer
Barbara Kipp
Directors at Large
Jean Hardy
Henrik Lohnert
Gilda Pronych
George Salzer
Artistic/Music Director
Mark Stickney
Assistant Conductor
Jon Roth
Concert Production Manager
Allison Miller
Personnel Manager
Publicity
Linda Anderson
Historian
Estelle Hrabak
Scholarship Coordinator
Michael Coogan
Paul M. Erwin Music Scholarship
Paul M. Erwin (1966-2014) was a talented composer, arranger, and musician who was born and raised in Vermont. During his short lifetime, he premiered over 200 arrangements and original works. Erwin was a vital part of the New Hampshire seacoast music community and served as the conductor of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble (SWE) from 1993 to 2006. The SWE scholarship program is named in Erwin's honor and supports young musicians in the ME-NH-MA seacoast region and Rutland County, VT.
Scholarship Information
The scholarship is available to high school students residing in the ME-NH-MA seacoast region and Rutland County, VT. It aims to support musical pursuits such as attending music camps, purchasing new instruments or equipment, taking music lessons, or paying for tuition. The application deadline is March 26th, and the award(s) will be announced in April or May. The recipients will be publicly recognized at a summer concert in the seacoast region and will be invited to perform with the ensemble during the concert.
Eligibility:
-
Current, entering, or graduating high school students
-
Must play a wind, brass, or percussion instrument
-
Must be a resident of one of the following counties:
-
Rockingham County (NH)
-
Strafford County (NH)
-
Essex County (MA)
-
York County (ME)
-
Rutland County (VT)
-
Application Process:
Link to online application
-
Complete an online application, which includes:
-
A ~300 word statement from student re: intended use of scholarship
-
A ~300 word statement from student re: why student should be selected
-
-
Send one (1) letter of recommendation from music teacher (private or school)
-
Electronic letters should be emailed to Michael Coogan.
-
Important Dates:
-
Applications begin being accepted: January 15
-
Applications and letters of recommendation due by 11:59pm, March 26
-
Notification of award will be made in April/May
-
Publicly awarded at June/July seacoast concert
Questions?
If you have questions about SWE's scholarship program, please contact Michael Coogan.