[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 138 (Friday, August 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MR. FRANK C. PARKER, IV, QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL 
          DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF BANDS, FOR 27 YEARS OF SERVICE

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                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 15, 2025

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable 
individual from my district, Mr Frank C. Parker, IV. For nearly three 
decades, Mr. Parker has nurtured and inspired the musical abilities of 
students in the Quakertown Community School District.
  Mr. Parker attended Moravian College, where he earned a bachelor's 
degree in musical performance and studied wind conducting, choral 
conducting, and saxophone under renowned academics and musicians. 
During his time there, he co-founded both the Moravian College Jazz 
Quartet and the Moravian College Dixieland Band. His exceptional talent 
earned him the lead alto saxophone positions with the Moravian College 
and Muhlenberg College Big Bands, and he also served as Principal Alto 
Saxophone for the Moravian College Wind Ensemble.
  His pursuit of excellence in music continued through his master's 
education at Wilkes University and additional graduate coursework at 
Villanova University, University of Miami, University of Arts, and West 
Chester University.
  Mr. Parker dedicated 27 years to sharing his musical expertise and 
passion with QCSD students. From 1998 to 2004, he directed the award-
winning Milford Middle School band, even earning them a performance at 
the 2003 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. During his six-year 
tenure, the Milford Jazz Band received nothing less than a superior 
rating at 26 consecutive jazz festivals--an extraordinary feat.
  For the past 21 years, Mr. Parker has served as the Director of Bands 
at Quakertown High School, where he led the Symphonic Band, Wind 
Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and numerous other small ensembles. Under his 
direction, these ensembles were invited to perform at the PMEA 
Conference, the NAfME National Conference, and the NAfME Eastern 
Division Conference an impressive fourteen times.
  Additionally, Mr. Parker directed Quakertown High School's award-
winning marching band, which has won both national and state-level 
competitions under his leadership.
  At this year's PMEA Conference, Mr. Parker was honored as the Phi 
Beta Mu Outstanding PA Bandmaster. Over the years, many of his students 
have been selected to participate in PMEA district, region, and state 
band festivals.
  Outside of his work at QCSD, Mr. Parker has taught saxophone lessons 
for the past 38 years. He is an active clinician, adjudicator, and 
guest conductor, having led bands across Pennsylvania and Vermont. He 
is a dedicated member of PMEA, NAfME, QCEA, PSEA, NEA, and Phi Beta Mu.
  As a performer, Mr. Parker has experience as a saxophonist with wind 
bands, big bands, and variety bands in the Lehigh Valley and 
Philadelphia areas, and has performed internationally in Great Britain 
and the British Virgin islands.
  In retirement, Mr. Parker looks forward to guest conducting, running 
clinics and teaching lessons online, as well as continuing to play his 
saxophone. He is the proud father of one daughter.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Parker for his 27 years of service to the 
Quakertown community, and I am honored to congratulate him on his well-
deserved retirement. His efforts have made an everlasting impact on 
generations of students, enriching their lives through music education 
and inspiring a deep appreciation for the arts.

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