Directors

James Beckman, an accomplished music educator with 29 years of experience in high school music education, currently serves as the Director of Bands at Muskego High School, a position he has held for 22 years. Prior to joining Muskego High School in 2003, Mr. Beckman spent six years at Waukesha South High School teaching orchestra and band.

Under Mr. Beckman's leadership, the Muskego High School band program has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from two concert bands serving approximately 90 students to ten instrumental ensembles reaching over 300 students. The program now encompasses four concert bands, two jazz ensembles, pep band, pit orchestra, and the prestigious Warrior Marching Band.

Mr. Beckman's dedication to music education has earned him numerous accolades, including:

• 2015 Muskego-Norway School District Compass Award for Excellence in Education

• 2019 Civic Music Association of Milwaukee Teacher of the Year

• 2020 GRAMMY Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist

His ensembles have achieved significant recognition, with the Muskego High School Wind Ensemble performing at the Wisconsin Music Educators Association State Convention in both 2009 and 2014. The Warrior Marching Band has participated in several nationally recognized parades, including:

• 2014 Endymion Parade in New Orleans

• 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

• 2024 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Mr. Beckman holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Lawrence University (1996) and a Master's Degree in Education from Cardinal Stritch University (2007). His musical foundation was established at Oconomowoc High School, where he was a member of the Wind Symphony that performed at the prestigious 1990 Midwest Clinic.

Beyond his role as an educator, Mr. Beckman is actively involved in the broader music education community. He has served as a saxophone coach for the Wisconsin All State Jazz Ensemble on three occasions and sits on the Board of Directors for both the Youth Wind Orchestra of Wisconsin and the UW-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble. He maintains an active performance schedule as a professional saxophonist and bassist in various musical ensembles throughout the Milwaukee area.

Mr. Beckman resides in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with his wife Amy and has two sons, Sam and Will.

Matt Mueller is in his 28th year of service in education and currently serves as the Band Director at Muskego High School, where he has taught for the past 10 years. In his role, he co-teaches all the school’s ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Percussion, Symphonic Band, Warrior Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, Pep Band, and the Muskego High School Marching Band. Prior to his tenure at Muskego High School, Matt taught band, AP Music Theory, Music in Film, and Beginning Guitar at Waukesha West High School, Marathon High School, and Spring Grove School.

Matt has conducted ensembles at prestigious events such as the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Music Conference and the National Band Association-Wisconsin Chapter (NBA-WC) State Convention. The Muskego High School Warrior Marching Band has also performed in nationally-recognized parades, including the 2014 Endymion Parade in New Orleans, the 2018 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the 2024 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music. He has studied under phenomenal educators including Buz Hoefer, Greg Balfany, Karyn Quinn, James Wheat, Charles Menghini, and Mike Pendowski.

Matt resides in Muskego with his wife, Liz, and their two sons, Emmett and Westley.