Peter S. Neu is a graduate of the Philadelphia University of the Arts with graduate studies at Villanova, West Chester and Temple Universities. Since 1985 he has worked as an instrumental music teacher in the North Penn School District in Lansdale, PA directing concert, jazz and marching bands, as well as other small ensembles at the middle and high school levels. Mr. Neu is listed in “Who’s Who among America’s Teachers” and has been awarded the “Citation of Excellence” by Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the “Superintendent’s Honor Roll Award” by the North Penn School District and the “Jazz Director of the Year” by the Cavalcade of Bands Association. Mr. Neu was named by the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper as one of the “Exemplary Teachers of the Year”.
As a professional trumpet player, Mr. Neu has worked in a variety of settings. He has performed in Atlantic City Casinos and Valley Forge Music Fair with such artists as Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Julie Andrews, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Patty LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborn, Melissa Manchester, David Benoit, Donna Summer, Mitzy Gaynor, Bobby Rydel, Rosemary Clooney, Robert Goulet, Al Jareau, The O’Jays and Roberta Peters. Mr. Neu has also performed with the Pennsy Pops Orchestra, Allentown Symphony and as part of the Mellon Jazz Festival in Philadelphia. Mr. Neu recently recorded a live compact disc of the Verdi Requiem at the Kimmel Center; a Christmas special for PBS titled “A Bronze Christmas” and is featured on compact discs by the Brian Pastor Big Band and Andrew Neu. Mr. Neu is an active composer and arranger whose music is published by Art of Sound Music Publishing. Mr. Neu is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the International Trumpet Guild, International Association of Jazz Educators, Music Educators National Conference and the American Federation of Musicians.
North Penn Middle School Jazz Ensembles under Mr. Neu’s direction have performed six times at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Convention, four times at the Music Educators National Conference and four times at the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention.
The Pennbrook Middle School Jazz Ensemble under Mr. Neu’s direction has been recognized four times in the middle school big band category of Down Beat Magazine’s annual student music awards.