Harley Givler

Director & Conductor, PYCB; Program Director, Summer Winds, Brass, Percussion Session

Dr. Harley Givler directs, conducts, and performs with ensembles of all ages across the Northeast. He currently serves as Chair of the Music Department and Director of Bands, grades 4-12 at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA, where he also co-directs the Upper School Orchestra and Shipley Jazz Band. 

Dr. Givler’s musical journey began on the horn at age 12 in central Ohio. His first band director was a horn player, and she inspired and encouraged him to find playing opportunities outside of school. Joining his local youth orchestra kicked off a lifelong passion for music performance and eventually, music education. A proponent of early-childhood music education, Dr. Givler was one of the first educators to receive Suzuki certification for brass instruction in North America. In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio in Bryn Mawr, PA, Dr. Givler is also the Adjunct Instructor of Horn at Drexel University. His students perform with leading youth music programs in the tri-state region, and many have gone on to pursue careers or further study in music performance and education. 

Dr. Givler holds degrees in horn performance from The Eastman School of Music, Yale School of Music, and Stony Brook University, where he studied with Peter Kurau and William Purvis respectively. His primary teachers in conducting include Toshiyuki Shimada, and Harold Farberman. Harley is a freelance horn player and can be heard performing regularly with the Revolution Woodwind Quintet.