The Rolla High School Band has a rich tradition of excellence. The Rolla Bands regularly travel around the state of Missouri and the Midwest to perform for music festivals and community events. Additionally, the band has traveled to and performed at:

Disney World in Orlando, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii for the 90th and 101st annual King Kamehameha parad
The USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor
Missouri Governor's Inauguration Parade
Chicago, IL
San Antonio, TX
Washington, DC
Denver, CO
Indianapolis, IN

 

John Slowensky - Director of Bands

Mr. Slowensky was raised in Steelville, MO where his family still resides. He attended Central Methodist College in Fayette where he earned his B.S. in education in May of 1996. While earning his degree, Mr. Slowensky was active in Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Eagle Basket- ball Band and Concert Choir. Prior to accepting his current position, Mr. Slowensky was Director of Bands in Richland for one year and St. James for six years. Mr. Slowensky maintains professional membership in Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), Missouri State Teachers Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfo- nia. Mr. Slowensky and his wife, Molly, make their home in Rolla with their daughter Riley.

Mike Goldschmidt - Assistant Director of Bands

Mike Goldschmidt is in his 12th year as Band Director at the Rolla Public School. He graduated from Missouri State University in 2011 with a degree in Instrumental Music Education and received his master's degree in Educational Technology from the University of Central Missouri in 2017 and Education Specialist in Educational Technology from the University of Central Missouri in 2019. As a musician, Mr. Goldschmidt has performed with the Missouri State Wind Ensemble under Dr. Belva Prather, MSU Jazz Bands, Brass and Sass, and served as a Drum Major for the Pride Marching Band under Jerry Hoover. His current courses include Marching Band, Concert Band, 7th Grade Low Brass, 7th Grade Flute, 8th Grade Band, and Audio Engineering 1 and 2, and Pep Band director. Mr. Goldschmidt maintains professional membership in MSTA, NAfME, MMEA, and CDMMEA. Mr. Goldschmidt enjoys running, hiking, biking, and spending time with his wife Casey, twin boys Bennett and Cooper, and dog Luna.

You can contact Mr. Goldschmidt through email at [email protected]

David Schatz - Assistant Director of Bands

Mr. David Schatz joined the Rolla School District for his seventh year of teaching instrumental music. His previous six years were in the Salem R-80 School District as the Director of Bands. He obtained his Master of Arts in Education Degree from Truman State University in 2014. Mr. Schatz received the MMEA Outstanding Young Educator Award in 2018 and also served as the NAfME-Collegiate President in 2012-2013. He is also a member of the following professional organizations: MMEA, NAfME, MBA, Phi Mu Alpha, and MSTA. When Mr. Schatz enjoys biking, working out, begin outside and taking his two kids Oliver and Oaklyn on adventures.