Staten Island, NY – Staten Island native Jose Luis Diaz, Jr., a highly-respected and accomplished musician, educator, and administrator for more than a decade, has been named the Director of Wagner College's new marching band, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Walt Hameline has announced.
 
The Wagner College Varsity Band will be launched in 2013 and then in 2014, Wagner plans to unveil its Marching Band.
 
Diaz, who brings a wealth of experience to Grymes Hill, has served as Orchestra Conductor/Instrumental Music at Saddle River Day School (NJ) since 2012. At Saddle River Day, he instructs and conducts the Lower, Middle, and Upper School Orchestras while also conducting and arranging the Jazz, Guitar, and Chamber Ensembles along with conducting the pit band for concerts.
 
Prior to arriving at Saddle River Day, Diaz spent the previous 10 years at Moore Catholic HS where he served as Music Director from 2002-2012. In 2005, while maintaining his duties as Music Director, he took on the added role of Director & Chairperson of the Performing Arts Institute from 2005-2012. In this position, he oversaw and planned curriculum for the Music, Dance, and Acting Departments while also directing, conducting and producing spring musicals
 
Charged with overseeing the artistic education of more than 120 students, Diaz also produced concerts, musicals and public performances while handling advertisement, program development, scheduling, performance calendar and budgetary duties.
 
No stranger to Wagner College, Diaz directed the Seahawks' Pep Band from 2008-2011.
 
“This is an exciting day for Wagner College and our athletic program,” said Hameline. “Adding this component will provide a tremendously positive experience for many students, while also increasing entertainment value, thus bettering the game day experience for our loyal fans.
 
“We're equally excited to introduce such a passionate leader in Jose Diaz, who we confidently entrust with the charge of heading up the recruitment and direction of our new marching band,” Hameline added.
 
A top musician himself, Diaz is trained in classic and jazz guitar, standard and upright bass, piano, and percussion.  He has performed at numerous venues throughout the country and command performances for luminaries that include Eminence Cardinal Egan of the Archdiocese of New York, Archbishop Dolan, and for the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg. He has also recorded three albums and has produced local concerts, which raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.
 
Diaz graduated from Monsignor Farrell HS in 1997 and is a 2002 graduate of the College of Staten Island, where he earned Dean's List honors while earning a B.S. in Music. He later earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 2010, where he attained a 3.9 GPA.