Our Director

Prime Time Band welcomed Dr. Paul Mori to the podium in 2021 as just the third musical director in the band’s long history.

A native of Santa Barbara, Paul got his earliest start in music through the public school music programs.  He went on to Westmont College, later earning master’s and doctorate degrees at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

On the heels of a critically acclaimed career in conducting and teaching in Baltimore and in the Pacific Northwest, Paul returned to Santa Barbara in 2005, where he is an adjunct professor at Westmont, conducts the Santa Barbara Reading Orchestra and regularly performs bassoon.

Paul brings his considerable energy, expertise and enthusiasm to Prime Time Band, expanding band repertoire and performance opportunities.  As he says,

“Music has the power to transport our imaginations and our emotions.  At its best, music matches our experience of living.  With its power to evoke feelings, images and memories, it inspires us to live richly with hope.  And what can be more important?” 

Paul is happy to share information and advice with prospective Prime Time Band members.  Click here to connect.