New band director gets in tune
The Red Oak School District’s new band director has hit the ground running in anticipation of the 2017-18 school year.
Taylor Matuszeski took over as high school band instructor, high school instrumental music instructor, high school jazz band director, and middle school computers instructor May 22. He replaces Dan Black, who resigned earlier this year to take a position in the Council Bluffs School District.
Matuszeski was born in Council Bluffs, and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, before attending the University of Iowa for trumpet performance and K-12 music education. Matuszeski completed student teaching at the Treynor Community School District, and pursued professional mascot coordination with the Kansas City Royals.
Matuszeski decided to return to teaching.
“I realized that music and teaching were things I gravitated towards, and I couldn’t let them go. They were things I was going to miss. I returned to Council Bluffs and substitute taught until a job opened up in my area. That happened to be here in Red Oak.
Fine arts community
Matuszeski said he’s extremely excited to get involved in a fine-arts coordinated community.
“They are very supportive thus far, and I look forward to being a part of the community myself now,” said Matuszeski.
He added he’s already getting things put into place for programs that will pick up before the start of the school year.
“Our band camp is Aug. 7 to 14, and we’re getting letters sent out to families and posting information online. We are going to start a show this year called ‘redHOTradioCity’ and includes three show tunes, including music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead.”
Matuszeski said he’s looking forward to seeing the kids perform the new show, which is high-energy.
“I’m going to enjoy learning about these new musicians that I’ll be passing my music knowledge to them, and learning as much from them as they are going to learn from me,” commented Matuszeski.
He added that he enjoys watching the students’ self-guided and democratic relationships, rehearsing and performing.
“It’s fun to listen to their discussions and cognitive thinking among one another. That allows them to become better musicians, and to become better in every facet of their lives. I’ll enjoy watching them grow throughout their years at school, and I look forward to them making an imprint on me, like I will with them.”
Matuszeski said he’s got music printed and the drill is written in anticipation of the upcoming school year. The previous drill writer under Dan Black will continue to write drills as school resumes.
“I look forward to working with the Red Oak community, and the instructors, including John Hewett. The work he does in his program allows me to take the students and keep them growing. Tim Marsden has also been helpful, and I look forward to learning from him and his students as well,” said Matuzeski.