Directors

Jeffery Heid is in his 24th year as Head Director at Muscatine High School and his 27th year of teaching. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Iowa in 1998, a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2017, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music Education from Boston University in January 2025. Before teaching at MHS, Mr. Heid previously served as the director of bands at Iowa Valley Jr./Sr. High School in Marengo, IA where he ran a 7-12 band program.

In 2012, Mr. Heid was honored with induction into the American School Band Directors Association, a prestigious organization dedicated to shaping the future of music education in public schools. He is also an active member of the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, and the International Trombone Association.

As a trombonist, Mr. Heid has performed with the Quad City Wind Ensemble, the Quad City Music Guild, and as a soloist throughout Muscatine and the Quad Cities. He is also a regular performer in Muscatine High School's "Annual" April Fools [in] Concert.

Beyond his work at MHS, Mr. Heid has served as a guest conductor for the Mount Pleasant Honor Band and as an adjudicator for numerous concert band festivals across Southeast Iowa. He has also been a guest clinician for concert and jazz bands in the Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Chicago-land areas.

Above all, Mr. Heid takes great pride in his students' achievements. Many have gone on to successful careers in music, performing on Broadway, in major orchestras, in in prominent conducting roles, and as esteemed educators in band, choir, and orchestra programs. Seeral of Mr. Heid's former students have also earned positions in the United States Military Bands, including recent appointments to the AIr Force and Naval Fleet Bands.

John O'Shaughnessy is currently in his 1st year teaching at Muscatine High School and acts as the Associate Director of Bands. Mr. O'Shaughnessy graduated from the University of Iowa in 2022 where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (Percussion), a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, and a Minor in Business Administration and Management. During Mr. O'Shaughnessy's time at the University of Iowa he studied under the great Dr. Dan Moore, performed with many of the University's premier groups including Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, was the percussionist for the Opera program's Fall 2022 production of Jack Heggie's Three Decembers, and marched on the snareline for the esteemed Hawkeye Marching Band.

Before teaching at MHS, Mr. O'Shaughnessy previously served as the director of bands at Wilton Jr./Sr. High School in Wilton, IA where he helped in revitalizing a 7-12 band program; earning accomplishments such as receiving a D1 rating at the IHSMA State Large Group Festival for Concert Band, doubling the size of the program, and reconnecting the students with IHSMA sanctioned events such as the IHSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival, The IHSMA Middle School Large Group Band Festival, and the IHSMA High School Large Group Band Festival.

Growing up Mr. O'Shaughnessy became dedicated to developing as a percussionist from a young age. At the age of ten years old, Mr. O'Shaughnessy began attending the Spevak Percussion Concepts school of percussion where he studied under Vern Spevak until he graduated high school and moved to Iowa City. During Mr. O'Shaughnessy's teenage years in the Chicago suburbs he dedicated many of his weekends to playing in prestigious groups such as the WGI group, Cavaliers Indoor Percussion (then called Green Thunder Percussion), was a two time attendee at the selective Birch Creek Music Academy in Door County, WI, and played in the top musical groups that Oswego High School offered such as Wind Ensemble, the top jazz band, and marched on the snare line.

Mr. O'Shaughnessy is most proud of the relationships he continues to develop with his students past and present. The cornerstone of Mr. O'Shaughnessy's teaching philosophy includes using music education as a tool to help students grow into more mature adults who are prepared for the real world.

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