Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore
Music Director for Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Dr. Gregory Xavier Whitmore is Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (Irvine, CA). Dr. Whitmore is also Conductor of the Wind Symphony, and Director of Instrumental Music at Irvine Valley College (Irvine, CA). These appointments follow a career as Director of Bands at Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, CA), College of the Desert (Palm Desert, CA), and Cathedral City High School (Cathedral City, CA). Dr. Whitmore, a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from The University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While a student at The University of Michigan, Dr. Whitmore performed in the University of Michigan Bands; and Dr. Whitmore led the University of Michigan Marching Band as “Michigan’s Man Up Front” - Drum Major - from 1999 to 2001. Dr. Whitmore received his Master's Degree in Music with an emphasis in Wind Conducting from California State University Fullerton studying under Dr. Mitchell Fennell. Dr. Whitmore holds a Master’s Degree, and a Doctorate in Music and Music Education from Columbia University (Teachers College) in the city of New York.
Dr. Whitmore has conducted ensembles in such notable concert venues as The Musikverein (Vienna), The Wiener Konzerthaus (Vienna), The MuTh (Vienna), Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (Costa Mesa), Symphony Hall (Chicago), The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Carnegie Hall (New York City), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Meng Hall (Fullerton, California), Holy Trinity Church (Stratford, England), St. John’s Smith Square (London), Château Vaux le Vicomte (Paris), and Heidelberg Castle (Germany). Under Dr. Whitmore’s direction, the Cathedral City High School Symphony Band was selected to perform as the showcase ensemble during the 2008 California Band Directors Association Annual Convention.
Dr. Whitmore belongs to several professional organizations that include College Band Directors National Association, Phoenix Honorary Leadership Society, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society, the National Association for Music Education, the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, and the California Music Educators Association.
Second Place Winner of the 2017 American Prize in Conducting (Community Bands Division), Dr. Whitmore is a recognized member of Academic Keys Who’s Who in Community Colleges Education, as well as four editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Dr. Whitmore has been included in the 2005/2006 Edition of the National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers. Mr. Whitmore is a Golden Apple Educator Award Recipient, and Orion Award Recipient for Excellence in Education. Dr. Whitmore was selected to represent the State of California by School Band and Orchestra Magazine in the 2008 edition of “50 Band Directors Who Make a Difference.”