"The Governor's Band" 199th Army Band New York Army National Guard Bldg. 84, Camp Smith, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567-5000 Phone: (914) 788-7336

CW3 Joseph A. Martellaro
Commander/Conductor

Chief Warrant Officer Joseph A. Martellaro is the Commander and Conductor of the 199th Army Band, Camp Smith, Cortlandt Manor, New York. He was born and raised in Auburn, New York where he graduated from Auburn High School. He attended Ithaca College where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in education and earned a Master of Science degree in music education from Western Connecticut State University.

Prior to joining the New York Army National Guard, Chief Martellaro was a sergeant in the United States Army. He attended the Armed Forces School of Music, Army Element, in Norfolk, Virginia in 1980. He was assigned to the 26th Army Band at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York, where he performed in major historical events such as; the New York City ticker-tape parade in honor of the hostages returning form Iran in 1981 and for dignitaries such as, Margaret Thatcher and former President Ronald Reagan. Chief Martellaro completed his Army enlistment at the United States Military Academy Band, at West Point New York, where he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and the army Good Conduct Medal. In 1986, he was appointed second lieutenant in the New York Army Air National Guard and accepted the command of the 552nd Air Force Band at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York. The unit traveled throughout New York State and to various parts of the country to support the mission of the Air National Guard. He attained the rank of captain and remained the commander until the unit was deactivated as part of the force structure draw down in 1995.

Chief Martellaro is presently the High School Band Director in the Highland Central School District. The High School Band travels extensively throughout the country performing at Music Festivals in Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts; to name a few. He is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). He has recorded numerous albums of various styles. Some of his credits include: the production of the country/western album, “Ain’t Just Country” by the Carl Richards Band and the original music for the documentary “Sometimes A Cause Arises”. He actively performs with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and various groups including the 12 time Grammy winner; The Jimmy Sturr Band.

For more information on how you can become a member of the 199th Army Band contact:
SSG Peter Bellanca, Readiness NCO
peter.bellanca@ny.ngb.army.mil