Michael Doty, Conductor 

Co-founder and Conductor of GCWE, Michael Doty received his music training from the University of California at Santa Barbara, earning a BA in 1969 and a Teaching Certificate in 1970. He played trombone in the prestigious Santa Barbara Symphony during this time. His first teaching positions were in the state of New South Wales, Australia. He also taught at high schools in Atascadero and Whittier before settling in at Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California, in 1980, where his groups have won numerous awards including Superior Ratings at festivals. In May 1999, this group was one of only a dozen in the Southern California area to earn a rare Unanimous Superior Rating at a Regional Festival. He earned a Masters Degree in wind band conducting (with honors) from CSUN in 1997.  He retired from active teaching in 2007, but has served as interim or long-term directors in five Ventura County high schools in both the winds and strings areas.   In 2017, he was thrilled to conduct the Ventura County Honor Band.

Clinton H. Dawley, Conductor

Mr. Dawley announced his retirement from GCWE at the 4 June 2017 concert after 26 years at the helm.

Clinton H. Dawley passed away on October 20th, 2021. He will be greatly missed.