Dr. Hockersmith, founding director of the Chesapeake Brass Band, led the band for 14 years. He graduated from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1973 with a Bachelors Degree Education and a Bachelors Degree in Library Science. He also has a Master of Library Science degree in Information Technology Administration from Syracuse University and his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware. He completed his initial musical training with the United States Army at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia.
Dr. Hockersmith served as a tuba player with the 327th United States Army Band at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland and as senior tuba player with the 264th United States Army Band of the Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Dr. Hockersmith studied composition and conducting with the late George Barati, former cellist and conductor of the San Francisco and Honolulu Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Hockersmith was a guest of the judges at the Dimtri Mitropolous International Competition for Conductors, 1969 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His work includes performances with the Potomac Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Shippensburg University Festival Orchestra, Brandywine Pops Orchestra, Newark Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Repertoire Orchestra, Brandywine Brass Quintet, Burnished Brass Quintet, Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band. He holds an advanced certificate from the United States Armed Forces School of Music and is an Honorary Member of Phi Mu Alpha, Sinfonia.
Dr. Hockersmith is retired Bandmaster and Commander of the 287th Army Band, Delaware National Guard, Music Director Emeritus of the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band, Music Director Emeritus of the First State Symphonic Band, and was an Advisory Board member of the Newark (DE) Symphony Orchestra.