Sam R. Andress is the founding director of the Los Osos Band & Color Guard Program.  He is a native of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and a graduate of Lake Havasu High School.  Mr. Andress holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of Arizona (Tucson), a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Azusa Pacific University, and is currently in the final stages of completing the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in wind band conducting from the Claremont Graduate University.  Mr. Andress has studied conducting with Dr. Stephen J. Paul, and Dr. Stephen Gothold.  He left Arizona in 2001 and relocated in Southern California to complete his student-teaching assignment under the supervision of Don Jaramillo at Etiwanda High School and taught seventh and eighth grade band and choir at Upland Junior High School prior to his appointment at Los Osos.  Mr. Andress is a member of Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity, and the Sons of the American Revolution.  His professional affiliations include the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association, the California Band Directors Association, the Winter Guard Association of Southern California, the International Trombone Association, the Music Educators’ National Conference, and the College Band Directors’ National Association.  Additionally, he is an active member of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, as serves that organization as a field show adjudicator.  Fostering a belief in life-long learning, he actively attends music conferences, and has recently attended the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Texas Music Educators’ Association conference in San Antonio, and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in Anaheim, in addition to his annual trips to Fresno for the California All-State conference and other various conferences throughout Southern California.  In March of 2008, Mr. Andress was honored to return to his hometown to guest-conduct the 30th anniversary concert of the founding of the Lake Havasu Regional Orchestra.  Under Sam Andress’ baton, the Los Osos Band & Color Guard has earned a reputation for excellence in all areas of ensemble performance, and will continue to evolve into one of Southern California’s finest.