Wayne Fox

Sarah Ditzler

Sarah Ditzler’s musical journey started when she was just barely old enough to speak and sat at the top of the living room steps with her dad’s cornet saying “one, two, ready, pay (play),” a phrase she must have heard him say often in lessons with his students. In third grade, Sarah started taking cornet lessons from her dad at home and from Dan Hoover at Forge Road Elementary school in the Palmyra Area School District. Little did she know,  one day she’d be playing with Dan in the Perseverance Band! 

From elementary through high school, Sarah participated in a variety of music ensembles and activities, playing the trumpet and singing. She was (probably) the epitome of a music nerd (her words). In 2008, after graduating from high school, she continued to study trumpet with Bill Stowman and Music Education at Messiah College. If Sarah remembers correctly, one of her first performances with the Perseverance Band was sometime during her college years when she joined the trumpet section in a parade.

After college, Sarah continued to play the trumpet and sing (sometimes even while camping, as pictured), and she picked up some concert band conducting, too! She values the experiences she’s had and the wonderful friendships she’s cultivated as a musician in Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Sarah has since also developed a love for teaching students with visual impairments and has since received a Master of Education in it. She is currently a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) with the IU13 when she is not participating in music activities (or…is it the other way around?). 

Sarah looks forward to another season with the Perseverance Band!

Howard Boots

Mr. Howard Boots received a B.S. in Music Education from Millersville University in 1988. He is a retired Master Sergeant with the PA Air National Guard. He served for 24 years with the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast, stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. In his final year of enlistment, he was deployed to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Howard is also a retired band director from the Cocalico School District, where he was employed for 32 years. He has become an in-demand guest clinician, soloist, and/or director for school districts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.

In addition, Howard is the conductor of the Lampeter Strasburg Community Band, and Flipside Big Band. He plays the clarinet, flute, trumpet, saxophone and tuba and can be found performing in various professional and civic groups throughout PA. Howard is married to a drummer, loves golf, has two dogs, and resides in East Earl, PA

Gloria Tice

Gloria Tice is a Lebanon, PA native. She is a retired music teacher, having taught for 34 years in the Lebanon School District and at the formerly known Lebanon Catholic Jr/Sr High School. She currently serves as the organist at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lebanon and is very active in several community organizations. 

 With roots in school, community, and church music, she has spent years sharing her musical talents at local events, gatherings, and celebrations within the church. She serves as a guest soloist with area cover bands. 

Gloria is married to John Tice. Between the two of them, they have six children and ten grandchildren. She loves being their "Gigi." Her interests include spending time with her family, reading, going to the beach, going for long walks in state parks, and rooting for Penn State football.