Clem Rolin (1946*) earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees at Duquesne University, and served as the director of bands at Montour High School, South Fayette High School, and Robert Morris University. He recently retired from his position as Principal Conductor, Music Director and arranger for the Pittsburgh area’s esteemed West Hills Symphonic Band. In his 60 plus years of performing at area music venues, Clem Rolin was equally comfortable accepting calls for bass, valve trombone, or vocals. As an arranger, he’s penned countless charts for not only his own chamber and small ensembles, but also marching, jazz and concert bands. Mr. Rolin also arranged volumes of music for the marching bands at the University of Pittsburgh (along with his hero, Joe Campus), Duquesne University and many high schools in the tri-state area.

Some of Maestro Rolin’s guest conducting and clinician appearances include three PMEA Honors Jazz Band Festivals, two Washington County Honors Band Festivals, the 1987 American Youth Symphonic Band European tour, and has served twice as guest conductor of the World Civic Orchestra at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In 1994, he answered the call to start both a marching band and pep band at (then) Robert Morris College to coordinate with the initial season of NCAA college football at the institution. He stayed on through its transition to university status and taught Humanities (Art, Music, & History) there as well.

The West Hills Symphonic Band has continued to be one of the area’s most successful civic music ensembles under his leadership, and has allowed him to realize his goal of keeping the performances of both the historic orchestral band transcriptions, and the iconic American Songbook compositions ALIVE and WELL!

His reputable “proclivity“ for humor and comedy has led him to serve as both an emcee and as a guest speaker for private and public events throughout his career.