Dr. Spitz served as Director of Instrumental Music at Houston Christian
University for eight years. Prior to that appointment he worked in a similar
capacity at Cerritos College in the Los Angeles area, where he also served as
department chair. He was employed in Alief ISD for twenty years as an
orchestra director. His string orchestras consistently received awards at UIL
competition.
His conducting credits cover a broad range of settings including Houston
Brass Band (Music Director), Masquerade Theatre Company of Houston,
Houston Civic symphony (associate conductor), and Opera in the Heights
Opera Company (apprenticeship). He has also led jazz ensembles throughout
his career. Dr. Spitz trained at the University of Stavanger Dirigentuka
(Conductor’s Week) Brass Band workshop in Norway.
He performs regularly as a trombonist with Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)
Orchestra. Other performance credits include Houston Grand Opera,
Houston Ballet, Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society, American Pops
Orchestra, Opera in the Heights, Ebony Opera, Woody Witt Big Band as
well back up orchestras for many high-profile artists. While residing in Los
Angeles he performed with the Los Angeles Classical Ballet Orchestra, San
Juan Capistrano Symphony, and the Torrance Symphony. Dr. Spitz has also
recorded and toured nationally with the Americus Brass Band.
Dr. Spitz was awarded both masters and doctoral degrees (music education
and trombone performance) at the University of Southern California. He
received a bachelor of music degree in music education at the University of
Wisconsin - Madison.
