Finest City Wind Orchestra

Artistic Director: Jeff Malecki, BME, MME, DMA

Dr. Jeffrey Malecki grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He holds degrees in music education and conducting from Central Michigan University, VanderCook College, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Malecki began his career at Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, where the student’s and program’s growth were a formative part of his early teaching career. While at UNLV, Dr. Malecki worked closely with mentors Thomas Leslie, Tony LaBounty, and Tad Suzuki to broaden his understanding of conducting, teaching, and programming. With hands-on experience leading the renowned UNLV Wind Orchestra, Las Vegas Youth Wind Orchestra, and Community Band, Dr. Malecki conducted in Ireland and Italy. He also had the opportunity to count as a mentor Colonel John R. Bourgeois, Director Emeritus of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, resulting in his biographical and theory-based dissertation. After leading the bands, orchestra and music education program at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Dr. Malecki began the formal band program at the University of San Diego in 2014. Since then, the program has grown into the Wind Ensemble, Torero Pep Band, and Drumline, and The Wind Ensemble. Dr. Malecki also designed and implemented the Music Education degree, and continues to update programs and classes to maximize relevance and interest for the USD community.