History

The Mattawan Bands are founded as Mr. Francis Dorstewitz creates the first instrumental music ensemble at Mattawan.

 

Mr. Dorstewitz creates the first arrangement of the “Fight! For Mattawan” the Mattawan Fight Song.

Mr. Dorstewitz leaves the band program.

A small student ensemble is put together and conducted by Ms. Margaret Baker, a senior from Western Michigan College.

Music is officially adopted as a curricular class and Mr. Kenneth Pearson, who is also the high school pricinpal, is named the second director of bands.

Mr. Pearson leaves his position of director of bands and is replaced by Mr. Roland Vashaw who becomes the third director of bands at Mattawan.

Mr. Vashaw creates a new arrangement of “Fight! For Mattawan” which is used up until 2014.

Mr. Robert Woody becomes the fourth director of bands at Mattawan upon Mr. Vashaw leaving Mattawan.

Mr. Donald Warnaar takes over as the fifth director of bands at Mattawan following Mr. Woody.

Mr. James VanWestrienen is named sixth director of bands after Mr. Warnaar.

With the departure of Mr. VanWestrienen, Mr. Bannister Merwin takes over as the seventh director of bands.

 

Mr. Merwin is killed following a concert when risers become unstable and fall on him. Mr. Carl Bjerregaard, director of bands at Western Michigan University, finishes out the school year at Mattawan.

Mr. Larry Jones is named the eighth director of bands at Mattawan following the tragic death of Bannister Merwin.

The high school band is selected to perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) “Mid-Western Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music” state convention held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mr. Richard Anderson takes over as the ninth director of bands with the departure of Mr. Jones.

First Florida Trip established. Every four years the bands travel to Disney World to participate in a parade and clinic.

The middle school band is selected to perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) “Mid-Western Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music” state convention held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

 

The high school band participates in the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) “National School Concert Band Competition Festival” at Bowling Green State University. The band won the Class B competition with an Honor Rating I

The high school band is selected to perform at the ASBDA National Convention in Interlochen, Michigan.

Mr. Anderson is selected as MSBOA Director of the Year.

The high school band is chosen to perform at the 26th annual Western Michigan University “Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music”.

Mr. Mark Greer returns to Mattawan as Associate Director of Bands, splitting duties with Mr. Anderson. Mr. Greer is the tenth band director at Mattawan.

Mattawan High School and Middle School are awarded the “Michigan Award of Excellence” by the ASBDA – Michigan Chapter.

Mattawan High School and Middle School are awarded the “Michigan Award of Excellence” by the ASBDA – Michigan Chapter.

Mr. Matthew Watson joins the faculty at Mattawan as Assistant Director of Bands. Mr. Watson was a Mattawan graduate and was a percussionist in the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band.

The Mattawan Marching Band begins marching in the Muziekparade at the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. The band is also selected as one of three “Premier” bands that get to perform in a special pre-parade performance.

With the departure of Mr. Watson, Ms. Jennifer Nofs joins the Mattawan faculty as Assistant Director of Bands.

Ms. Nofs leaves Mattawan.

Mr. Joshua Garcia joins the faculty as an Instrumental Music Paraprofessional.

Mr. Greer is selected as the MSBOA District XI Director of the Year.

• The Mattawan Concert and Symphonic Bands participate in a Composite Concert with the Western Michigan University Symphonic Band under the direction of Mr. David Montgomery.
• With the retirement of Mr. Anderson, Mr. William Boswell joins the Mattawan faculty as Associate Director of Bands and the eleventh director at Mattawan.
• The 8th grade band, under the direction of Mr. Greer, is chosen to perform at the inaugural “Joy of Middle School Band: Fall Conference on Middle School Music” at Western Michigan University.

Mr. Greer is listed as one of “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine.

Mr. Robert Sherwin takes over as Instrumental Music Paraprofessional as Mr. Garcia takes a year leave to finish school.

With the retirement of Mr. Greer, Mr. Chris Janowiak joins the Mattawan faculty as Associate Director of Bands, the twelfth director at Mattawan.

• A new arrangement/edition of “Fight! For Mattawan” is created by Mr. Garcia.
• Mrs. Beth Jonker joins the Mattawan Faculty as Associate Director of Bands with the departure of Mr. Janowiak, she is the thirteenth director at Mattawan.

Mrs. Stephanie Roof joins Mattawan Bands as an Instrumental Music Paraprofessional.