Biography
Bradley S. Hartman is an accomplished composer, conductor, and music educator whose career exemplifies a seamless integration of artistic creativity, interpretive leadership, and pedagogical dedication. Residing on Long Island’s north shore with his wife, Cheryl, and their sons, Adam and Christopher, Hartman has established himself as a prominent figure in the music community through a distinguished blend of academic achievement, international recognition, and a profound commitment to advancing musical artistry.
Hartman’s academic credentials reflect a rigorous and multifaceted educational journey. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Trombone Performance from Long Island University’s C.W. Post Campus in Brookville, New York, laying the groundwork for his skills as a trombonist and arranger. He later pursued a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York (2014), expanding his intellectual horizons, followed by a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Messiah University in Grantham, Pennsylvania (2017), where he refined his expertise in ensemble direction. Currently, Hartman is a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition & Arranging at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, deepening his mastery of compositional craft and orchestral arranging.
As a composer, Hartman has garnered significant acclaim, with his works performed and recognized on both national and international platforms. His blues composition Coolin’ Off was showcased by the C.W. Post Jazz Combo at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, highlighting his innovative approach to jazz idioms. His string orchestra piece Lament was presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, demonstrating his versatility across musical genres. Hartman’s compositional catalog includes notable works such as A Smithtown Celebration, Chasing the Sunrise, and Eagle’s First Flight, which have been adopted onto prescribed lists by the Texas University Interscholastic League, North Carolina Bandmasters Association, and Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association. His composition Journey Into the Abyss earned distinction on Bandworks’ Top 100 List, while Symphony No. 1: A Long Island Portrait and Symphony No. 2 in C minor were honored as National Finalists for The American Prize in Composition. These works have been performed by esteemed ensembles, including Texas A&M Symphonic Band, Stony Brook University Wind Ensemble, and Binghamton University Wind Symphony, underscoring Hartman’s influence within contemporary music.
Hartman’s conducting career is marked by leadership across a range of ensembles. He has held positions as Associate Conductor of the Northwinds Symphonic Band in Glen Head, New York, Assistant Conductor of the Nassau Community College Band in Garden City, New York, and Music Director of the BAFFA Symphony Orchestra in Bayport, New York. Presently, he serves as Associate Director and Composer-in-Residence with the Smithtown Community Band in Smithtown, New York, where he shapes performances and incorporates his original compositions into the ensemble’s repertoire. His frequent leadership in premiering his own works exemplifies his ability to bridge compositional vision with interpretive skill.
With more than 15 years as a music educator in the Brentwood Union Free School District in Brentwood, New York, Hartman has built a legacy of excellence in teaching, earning him recognition as a Top Educator in Marquis Who’s Who of America. He is a respected clinician, delivering presentations at esteemed conferences such as the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), the International Music Education Summit, and the Conn-Selmer Institute Northeast (August 2025). Through these engagements, he shares insights on wind band literature, conducting techniques, composition, and educational strategies, enriching the broader music education community.
Hartman maintains active membership in professional organizations, including New York State School Music Association, National Association for Music Education, Suffolk County Music Educators' Association, the New York State Band Directors Association, and the Association of Concert Bands, reflecting his dedication to fostering connections within the field.
