Officers and Vocalists

Lee Roach, (trumpet) has worked for 30 years in various organizations as an accountant. He currently works for the Department of Information Technology – Transportation as a Budget Officer. Lee started playing publicly in 8th grade in his dad’s 9-piece dance band and continues to play in numerous churches and groups. Not only will you see him in The Neuse River Big Band, but you may see him donning lederhosen performing at Octoberfest events across the state in The Bavarian Brass band. If you ask him to play trumpet for an event, he probably will not say "no!"

David McGowan, (trumpet and MC) is one of the founders of the Neuse River Big Band—not a pro trumpeter, just grateful to have this wonderful group together. He currently serves as the Band's Treasurer. He is a former Baltimore City Police Detective, US Army aviator and member of the Wilson's Mills Town Council. He was also the Public Address Announcer for the Baltimore Orioles baseball club for 14 years. 

Tracie Thomas, (saxophone) recently retired as Vice President of Marketing for Boon Edam Inc. Like many community band players, she played in high school and college and took a multi-decade hiatus, returning to music with newfound enthusiasm. Tracie volunteers at the Sharp 9 jazz club in Durham, and also plays saxophone with the Raleigh Concert Band and The Overtones saxophone quartet.