STAFF

MARK HEROLD - DIRECTOR OF BANDS

A Bismarck native, Mark Herold graduated from the University of Mary in 2002 with bachelor degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance. In 2010, he received a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University St. Paul. Currently Herold serves as the Director of Bands at Legacy High School in Bismarck, ND where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Freshmen Band, Jazz Ensemble #1, Saber Athletic Band, and the Legacy Marching Sabers.

From 2002 through the spring of 2010, he taught band at Wayzata Central Middle School in Plymouth, Minnesota. During his eight and a half years in Wayzata, Herold taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands and served as the conductor of the Jazz Ensemble and Steel Drum Band.

Prior to starting at Legacy High School, Mr. Herold was the Associate Director of Bands at Bismarck Century High School where he conducted the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble #2 as well as assisting with the Prep Band and Wind Ensemble providing support for those groups as a brass and percussion specialist.

In 2020, Mr. Herold was presented with the distinction of being named the North Dakota Jazz Educator of the Year.

Along with his classroom teaching responsibilities, Mr. Herold has been active as a performer and private percussion instructor. He is also a regular staff member for the Northern Musicians Abroad Music European Tour. He has served as the President of the North Dakota Music Educators Association and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, North Dakota Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society. He also serves as a member of the North Dakota All-State Committee as the chair of the All-State Band. Mr. Herold and his wife Sarah have two sons, Alex and William.

Phone Number: (701) 323-4850 ext. 6305

E-mail: mark_herold@bismarckschools.org

PIERETTE JOHNSON - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Mrs. Pierette (Carow) Johnson is originally from Edgeley, ND and earned bachelor degrees in K-12 instrumental and vocal music education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD in 1991.  She earned her masters degree in Music Education with a focus on instrumental conducting from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO in 1996 and has been teaching in the Bismarck school system since then. As Legacy High School’s Associate Director of Bands, Mrs. Johnson will conduct the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble #2  and assist with Freshmen Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Sabers, and Saber Band providing support for those groups as a woodwind specialist. Her main performance areas are the flute and piano.

From 1991 to 1993 Mrs. Johnson was employed with Sargent Central Public Schools, Forman, ND as the High School band and choir instructor. She then taught in Miles City, Mt. as a lower elementary music specialist for two years.

Upon coming to Bismarck Public Schools in 1996, Mrs. Johnson was employed as a beginning band instructor and also served as an elementary music specialist for 11 years. Most recently, Mrs. Johnson was the associate band director at Wachter Middle School where she served as the woodwind specialist for 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands. She also worked with 9th grade band students until their move to the high school.

Mrs. Johnson is a member of the National Association for Music Education, North Dakota Music Educators Association and National, North Dakota and Bismarck Educators Associations. She has been a member of the Missouri River Community Band and belongs to Messiah Lutheran Church in Mandan. Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Daron, live on a farm northeast of Bismarck and have 2 children, Kristin and Ethan.

Phone Number: (701) 323-4850

E-mail: pierette_johnson@bismarckschools.org