Mr. Michael Ver Voort

Michael Ver Voort is in his eighth year of teaching music at Middleton High School. As Co-Director of Bands, Mr. Ver Voort is actively involved in the concert and chamber ensembles, marching band, pep bands, jazz bands, and music production. He also was recognized by the University of Chicago for excellence in teaching and mentorship as an Outstanding Educator in 2018.

During his time at Middleton High School, the Band Department has seen many changes, including an overhaul of concert ensembles, jazz bands, pep bands, marching band, and general music instruction. The program has grown by several hundred members and has welcomed two new full-time band directors to the team.

In addition to four curricular band classes and an orchestra class, Mr. Ver Voort oversees the operations of the band department and is dedicated to the success of each student. During the fall semester, concert ensembles break out into chamber ensembles and spend a considerable amount of time focusing on individual and small group instruction taught by a team of artistic staff who specialize on a specific instrument. Members of MHS Bands participated in over 850 events at the WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival in 2019 and will be sending many qualifying events to the state level festival this spring. Mr. Ver Voort instructs the award-winning clarinet choir as well as other chamber wind groups.

Outside of the high school, Mr.Ver Voort maintains a small trumpet studio, containing students that have been accepted into the National Trumpet Competition, earned scholarships for festivals, colleges, and summer music clinics. He also performs with several local ensembles on trumpet, tuba, trombone, and clarinet.

“Coach Mike” also serves as an assistant coach for the school’s men’s swim team. This past year the team took second place at the WIAA State Conference.

Email: mvervoort@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

12/10/21 Fruit Delivery Day is Tomorrow!

Hello band families, Fruit Delivery Day is TOMORROW! Here are some last minute details and reminders: 1. All orders must be picked up at MHS between 8am and 12pm. 2. Enter by door 23, the North main entrance. Wear a mask! 3. Tomorrow, you will receive a packet with all orders that you are picking up. 4. We could still use a couple more parent volunteers. 5. Students, even if you didn't sign up for a volunteer shift, please come and help out anytime between 6am and 1pm - there will be refreshments! Please also see the attached letter from our booster president, Kate Easton. Thanks, everyone - we are looking forward to a successful fruit delivery day! -- Michael Ver Voort

Mr. Eric Rothacker

Eric Rothacker is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is a student of Dr. Jeffrey Lyman and Dr. Colleen Conway (B.M. in Bassoon Performance '18, B.M. in Music Education '18). Eric also completed his student teaching with Mr. Nate Lampman, the Michigan Association of Teacher Educators Mentor Teacher of the Year (2018).

During his education, Eric worked with the conducting and music education faculty on conducting and rehearsal pedagogy to achieve higher artistry with ensembles. Eric led multiple full ensemble clinics for high school bands from the greater Ann Arbor area under the direction of Dr. John Pasquale to highlight effective and efficient methods of communication of an aural analysis from the directors perspective as well as reaching superior performance strategies through regimented fundamental technique for players. He also assisted with bassoon pedagogy research for Dr. Jeffrey Lyman to help write and create a virtual supplement to the most commonly used bassoon method book in the world, Weissenborn's Practical Method for Bassoon. Eric is also a published researcher in the Michigan Music Education Association research publication Michigan Music Educator v. 55 Summer Edition. His article featured research collected from educators across multiple states including California, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, and Michigan covering “Observations from Recent Hires in Music Education”.

Being a proficient trombonist and brass instructor, Eric was also fortunate to intern for Dr. Andrea Brown at the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps teaching and instructing the entire 2016 hornline and conductors in conjunction with the Brass and Program Staff. Eric has also been in charge of leading conducting clinics and camps for Drum Majors across several states as well as caption head for the Briar Woods Falcon Regiment from 2013-2017.

Knowing that education involves being a lifelong learner, Eric strives for higher artistry through visual communication techniques and ensemble conducting. In this pursuit, he has been accepted to participate and learn at multiple conducting symposiums from thousands of national candidates including events at Michigan State University, University of Oregon, and Northwestern University.

Eric is a passionate and dedicated teacher who enjoys sharing music and life lessons with his students. He believes in the importance of making music available and accessible to everyone. Eric strives for each of his students to become lifelong learners by teaching important life skills through music.

Currently, Eric is enjoying his first year as Associate Director of Bands at Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin where he teaches multiple general music classes, jazz bands, marching band, pep band, and five curricular wind ensembles. He believes in the importance of opportunities for his students and enjoys collaborating with his coworkers to bring prominent educators, experts, clinicians, and artists to Middleton such as the Akropolis Reed Quintet.

Outside of teaching, Eric enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, discussing film scores, and spending time with friends.

Email: erothacker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us