I Want To Be Your Band Director!
As you can see, I am a band director. I am not a rookie. I've been in trenches. A lot of them. I know what is necessary to create a quality band program...from the ground up, if necessary.
A friend once told me that "It's okay to toot your own horn, but just don't play the whole song". How appropriate. Let's face it. If you are looking for a band director, you don't care much, initially, about that person other than if they have integrity, morals, wisdom, and the ability to enthusiastically educate your kids. So here are some things you may want to know about me upfront:
Bachelors & Masters Degree in Music Education from Ohio State University. (If you are a Michigan fan, I know I'm not one of your candidates....A little Buckeye humor)
A total of 22 years teaching experience, grades 5-12, and one year undergraduate at OSU.
- I have 9 years personal marching experience. (I have the bad knees to prove it.)
- Four years as Squad Leader
- I marched in the Sugar, Gator, Rose, Fiesta, and Liberty Bowl.
- Graduate Assistant with the Ohio State University Marching Band.
- Student arranger for the OSUMB. (For the annual, formal "Mershon Concert")
- Did my student teaching with international composer and arranger James Swearingen.
- Lead a "rags-to-riches" band program to Championship status in Maryland.
- Studied conducting with Craig Kirchhoff, Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota.
- Tennessee Arts Academy participant 2011
- Although I enjoy drum corps and marching band, I consider the concert band(s) to be the central foundation to any fine band program.
- "Excellent" and "Superior" rated concert band performances.
- Conducted compositions up to Grade 6. (Two favorite - "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre and "American Faces" by David Holsinger)
- Adjudicator for Music in the Parks and USBands (Presented by the Cadets Drum Corps).
- Honors Band organizer and guest conductor.
- Christian
- Married to my wife for 32 years.
- Nominated: Naval and Merchant Marine Academies
- Helped raise 3 sons.
- Avid cyclist
- Rode a bicycle across the United States, 3400 miles, 56 days.
- Non-smoker/drinker
The Band Program in Which I am Looking
(or help create):
- An environment that truly values the arts.
- Parents who are hungry for a wonderful band program where their children grow comprehensively, develop a high level work ethic, and have fun doing it.
- Parents who want a fellow parent "covering their backs" in support of raising quality, strong, character filled young men and women who will make a big difference in our country.
- Students who have fun by being exceptional and excellent on their instrument. Strong young men and women who have a hunger for excellence in their lives.
- A band program that puts character above everything, especially the trophy.
- A band program that wants a strong, supportive Band Booster organization.
- A band program that wants champions off the stage first, then on.
- Moms and Dads who know life is short and their kids' maturity is very important.
- A band program that values my time and my commitment to my family.
A Tall Order?
Well, yes! And this goes both ways. You want a band program that is vibrant, powerful, championship quality, positive environment for all the kids, safe, growing, intense, professional, caring, influential, inspirational, and motivating. I want to challenge, inspire, motivate to excellence, and be there for your kids. It's that simple and comes with large mandates, hurdles, challenges, mistakes, conflicts, car washes, ball games, competitions, festivals, and tough hard work. Does this sound like what you want? If so, contact me:
John LaMacchia
Knoxville, TN
865-216-1507
(Resume and references are available upon request)
Link to conducting "On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason"
(Honors Band after one day's rehearsal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf3oq6XRf3U
(copy and paste in your browser)
