Andrew's Professional Assignments

(1) Berea City School District

In the Summer of 2003, Andrew was hired for a position at two schools in the district from which he was graduated five years previously. The Berea City School District comprises three communities (Berea, Brook Park and Middleburg Heights) and parts of a fourth (Olmsted Falls); it has two high schools, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools (most of which Andrew worked in as a "sub" following his graduation from Ohio Northern University in 2003). The position was eliminated in June of 2005, followiong the third defeat of an operating levy.

(2) Cloverleaf Local School District

Andrew began work in the Cloverleaf district (located near the intersection of I-71 and I-76 [which explains the name!]) in August, 2005, working principally in the middle school, but also as Assistant Director of the high school band during the marching season. At the close of the 2010~2011 school year, he was asked to take over the high-school band program as well and he became Director of the "Marching Colts" in August.. Bob and Penney make most of the games, including a real thriller early in his first season, when the Cloverleaf Colts beat longtime rival Wadsworth for the first time in a decade. Andrew's 8th-grade and 7th-grade bands give wonderful concerts for Veterans' Day, Christmas, and in the spring.

In his second year (2006-2007), the 8th-grade band took a "Superior" rating at the Ohio Music Educators Association regional competition (one of only two bands to do so out of 23, from high schools and middle schools across Northeast Ohio), with glowing comments from the adjucators. Here are a few of them:

• "This is the first middle school I've heard in a long time that's playing a march with the right focus on style . . . . It was a very uplifting performance."
• "Your goal is to pretend [the composer] is sitting next to you and likes how you're playing. . . . If I were [the composer], I would be really excited about your last performance"
• "This is a wonderful band. Thank you for playing today. . . . . [Y]ou all did a great job."
• "You were making music at a very high level."

He chooses exceptionally good music for the skill level and interests of his bands, and you can tell from their response that they respect him as an educator and as a musician. After just three years to Cloverleaf Middle School, he was voted "Teacher of the Year" by the student body.

He also plays in the Medina County Community Band, which presents concerts each Friday night during the summer in a setting that could come right off a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover. They also play in other venues at other times during the year.

In July, 2008, he was awarded the degree of Master of Music Education by Chicago's VanderCook University, a well-known music school. The program was challenging, but extremely rewarding.

His high school band was awarded an "Excellent" rating at the State Band Competition his first year as Director (2011). We look for a "Superior" rating very soon as the program develops.

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