Director of Bands
Welcome! My name is Brett Dawson. The following are highlights of my skills and accomplishments in my career so far:
My current courses include: high school marching & concert band, starting out beginners in homogeneous sectionals in 5th grade, co-teaching 6th grade band, 7th grade general music, high school music theory, and high school history of American popular music.
I have received a rating of Accomplished six of the eight years I have been eligible for evaluation through the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System; I received a rating of Skilled my first year in Vermilion.
My students have received both Superior & Excellent ratings at OMEA and Lorain County Solo & Ensemble Contests.
For the 2021-22 school year, my High School Symphonic Band, returning to OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Events for the first time since before COVID, received an Excellent rating.
My 7th grade band has received Superior & Excellent ratings at OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Events.
Recruitment and Retention numbers in Streetsboro have increased and stayed consistent throughout my tenure. Students are staying in band, enjoying their time, and receiving a quality musical education.
I pride myself in my ability to not just teach, but play each instrument in the band well. I can confidently play all major woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments at the levels at which I expect my students to play.
I am extremely passionate about instrumental music education. I have strong pedagogical, leadership, organizational, drill writing, music arranging, ensemble directing, classroom management, and interpersonal skills. I strive to make each of my students the best musician and person they can be and hope to instill in each one a lifelong love of music. I consistently work to continue the culture of respect, trust, musical achievement, and constant desire for learning in the band. I have high expectations for myself and my students; I strive to achieve my vision for each student in our program being musically literate, morally sound, and appreciate of the experiences afforded them. I strongly believe that adjudicated events should be a means to a musical end, not an end in themselves.
Previously, I worked for Vermilion Local Schools as the Associate Director of Bands, Copley-Fairlawn City Schools as an elementary music educator at Herberich Primary School, and Parma City Schools as a district substitute. While in Parma, I held many supplemental contracts including: assistant marching band director, jazz band director (high school and middle school), fourth grade strings teacher, and head swim coach. I graduated from the College of Wooster in December 2011, where I majored in music education and studied under the baton of Ms. Nancy Ditmer and Dr. Lisa Wong. While studying at the College of Wooster, I earned a bachelor of music education in public school teaching and a licensure in K-12 music. In 2021, I completed my Master of Music in Music Education with Instrumental Emphasis with Distinction at Capital University. I studied conducting privately under the baton of Dr. Jeff Gershman and was advised by Dr. Laura Kitchel in my Thesis on Retainment in Instrumental Programs during Transitional Years.
On Wooster's campus, I was actively involved in many organizations. I served as one of three Drum Majors for the Scot Marching Band for four years and was the principal alto saxophone in the Scot Symphonic band. I sang for four years in the all-male a-cappella group Merry Kuween of Skots and for two years in the mixed a-cappella group A Round of Monkeys. I participated for four years in the Eleventh Hour saxophone quartet and was a four-year letter winner for the Fighting Scot Swim Team. Teaching and music are two of my greatest passions and I am always striving to become a better educator and person.
For my student teaching, I was placed into the band program in the Orrville City School District with guidance from Mr. Christopher Jones. While there, I had the opportunity to work with band students that ranged from fifth graders to seniors. I worked extensively with the marching and symphonic bands and had the opportunity to begin to form my own philosophy on how music should be taught.
“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them - a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music”
Gerald R. Ford