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Jeremy Kondrat,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
“Pride makes us do things well, but love makes us do things to perfection.” Great teaching is a combination of love, inspiration, motivation, sharing of knowledge, opportunity, clear and high expectations, human connection, planning, adaptation, honesty, assessment and accountability and more love.
Teaching is the greatest gift a person can give. As the Director of Bands at Plano Senior High School, I encourage our Wildcat Band students to imagine and discover the great humanitarians they will become. I believe that education has the greatest impact on humanity, as teachers mold, develop and even dare students to make the world a better place. Teaching is what propels our planet; we would not have medical or technological advances, English teachers or symphony orchestras without teachers.
I teach life through the art of making music. As a graduate of Plano ISD, it is with the utmost pride that I carry forward the traditions and values taught to me by my teachers and predecessors. Learning should always be a joyous and simple activity! It is through careful planning, a highly structured environment and curriculum and relentless passion that I teach the Plano Senior High School Wildcat Band.
As I call the Plano Band to attention at the beginning of each rehearsal, our students learn self-worth, self-discipline, self-confidence, commitment, loyalty, integrity and consistent work ethic. Imagine two hundred and fifteen teenagers standing perfectly still, carrying their bodies and instruments identically, then raising their instruments in perfect unison, and producing a sound of harmony that could only be directly from heaven. How is this possible? We develop trust, dedication, ownership, teamwork and individual and group success. When students feel safe, have a place of belonging, and feel successful through gaining knowledge they are motivated.
Our Plano Band Family is taught patience, perseverance, critical thinking and concentration to the fullest capacity. I have developed a sequential curriculum for developing brain connectivity in the areas of rhythm, tonality, melody, and harmony. These brain connections will forever be embedded and transfer for use in so many areas of life.
Every student is different! A great teacher must accept and encourage every child and then adapt his teaching style to meet the needs of every individual. Determining when to demand more or nurture more is an art in itself I LOVE and CRAVE that vibe when all of those different personalities and backgrounds enter my band room. Then, music begins and strips every student from their differences. Music is one of the only elements in life that unites people of diversity. Oh, what a THRILL it is to watch those maroon and white paws every Friday night as the Plano Band rips the sound of March Grandioso across the football field!
The rewards of teaching are endless . . . I LOVE watching that student transform into a self-sufficient musician and independent human being. I THRIVE when a student achieves because they discover success which causes an enormous ripple effect of desire for more learning. This is why education inspires our students to cure cancer and heart disease. The electricity and chemistry that binds musicians together during performance is beyond any trophy. There is no greater reward than watching vastly different students work together towards a common goal with patience and understanding.
Enter the band room at Plano Senior High School. You might see Mr. Kondrat dancing, singing, whispering, wailing or saying nothing and only moving his arms and face to dictate a subtle musical gesture. You will always see the Plano Band students engaged in great communication and incredible music making. You will find a musical atmosphere of intensity and peace allowing the students the opportunity to transcend to a different place in life. You will often hear words of encouragement and find smiles on the students and their loving director’s face. And you will always hear at the end of every rehearsal, “Thank you. I love you all.”
Educational
/ Professional Background
University Degrees
- Master of Music, Applied Trombone
University of Northern Colorado -
1997
- Bachelor of Music with Distinction, Music Education and Applied Trombone
Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY -
1995
Teaching Experience
- Director of Bands, Plano Senior High School - 2001-present
- Conduct Wind Ensemble, Co-conduct Symphony Orchestra, Direct Jazz Ensemble, Rehearse and organize Marching Band, Supervise (2) Associate Band Directors, Coordinate Plano Central Cluster band director staff, Supervise private lesson program, Advise and work closely with band booster organization
- University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Band Camp Staff
Conduct Band 4 - 2009
Brass Section Coach for Band 4 - 2008
- Director of Bands
McKinney High School - 2000-2001
- Associate Director of Bands
Plano Senior High School -
1998-2000
- Associate Director of Bands and General Music Teacher
Cudahy High School/Parkview Elementary School, Cudahy, WI -
1997-1998
Professional Music Experience
- Galen Jeter Jazz Orchestra, substitute trombone -
2008-present
- Dallas Wind Symphony, substitute trombone -
I 998-present
- Freelance jazz and classical trombonist, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - 1998-present
Committees/Leadership
- Texas Music Educators Association Region 25: Vice-President -
2008-present
- Plano Independent School District, Fine Arts Curriculum Committee Member
- Served on team of PISD Fine Arts members responsible for rewriting, revising and creating Fine Arts curriculum. Worked throughout school year and summer. Present curriculum at inservices throughout each school year - 2007-present
- Plano Independent School District Music Management Team
- Meet with PISD Fine Arts Directors and Senior High Fine Arts Head Directors to plan, coordinate and develop curriculum, guidelines, and policy for all PISD Fine Arts programs -
2001-present
- Leader for Plano Central Cluster Band Directors
- Plano ISD Professional Development Sessions Provide vision for central cluster band programs, organize calendar events, develop and lead curriculum development, direct curriculum and director planning, organize private lesson staff for all campuses -
2001 - present
- Gift of Music Club Sponsor, Plano Senior High School
- Sponsored student group that assembled small ensembles to perform for volunteer community events including performances at senior citizens centers -
2007-2009
- Texas Future Music Educators Association Sponsor, Plano Senior High School
- Sponsored student group for students aspiring to careers in music education.
2006-2009
Training/Professional Development
- Private Jazz Piano Study with Bill Lohr, D/FW professional jazz pianist - 2006-2010
- University of North Texas Summer Conducting Symposium Participant - 2007
- Private Conducting Lessons with Southern Methodist University
Director of Bands, Jack Delaney - 2006-2007
- University of Texas at Austin Summer Conducting Symposium Participant - 2006, 2007
- University of Texas at Arlington Conducting Symposium Participant - 2006
- Annual Texas Music Educators Association Convention Participant - 2001-2009
Honors and Awards
- Consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Plano SHS Wind Ensemble
- Consistent UIL 1st Division Rating, Plano SHS Marching Band
- National Wind Band Honors Winner, Plano SHS Wind Ensemble
- Texas Music Educators Association, Honor Orchestra Winner, Plano SHS Orchestra
- Grammy Signature School Gold Award, Plano SHS Music Department
- Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition, Plano SHS (one of top 15 bands in U.S).
- Midwest Band and Orchestra Invitation, Plano SHS Orchestra
- Wisconsin State Marching Champion, Cudahy HS
- Graduate Fellowship, University of Northern Colorado
- Graduate Service Award, University of Northern Colorado
- Rudolph Speth Memorial Scholarship, Eastman School of Music
- Sol Neumann Scholarship, Eastman School of Music
Memberships
- Adjudicator for University Interscholastic League
- Texas Music Educators Association
Community Service
- Christ United Methodist Church Choir Member
- Plano SHS Wind Ensemble Performances at Plano ISD MLK Celebration
- Plano SHS Jazz Ensemble Performance for student cancer benefit
- Joined consortium of 8 high schools and colleges to commission the composition,
Push, for Plano SHS Wind Ensemble and consortium members
- Plano SHS Jazz Ensemble Performance for Jasper HS student cancer benefit
- Commissioned composition, The Plano Fanfare, for Plano SHS Marching Band
- Commissioned composition, Procession of Nations, Plano ISD MLK Celebration
- Plano SHS Jazz Ensemble Performance at Collin Oakes Guest Home
- Annual Plano Senior HS Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Community Events
- Combined Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano SHS Camp Performance
- Twilight Dinner and Concert
- Plano Senior HS Drumline Competition
- UIL and Pre-UIL Marching Band Competitions
- Plano SHS Football Games
- Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally
- Jazz Ensemble Swing Dance
- Wind Ensemble 5th Grade Concerts
- Mid-Winter Band Concert
- Central Cluster Pre-UIL Band Concerts
- Spettacolo Percussion Show
- Symphony Orchestra "Pops by the Pond" Concert
- Band Prism Concert featuring all small and large groups including Marching Band
- Jazz Ensemble Performances at Central Cluster Middle and Elementary Schools
Student Workshops
- Summer Band Leadership Camp for Vines HS,
Jasper HS, Plano Senior HS Bands -
2005-2009
- Combined Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano Senior HS Band Camp -
2004-2009
- Central Cluster All-State Master classes with professional musicians from D/FW -
2004-2009
- Drum Major Clinics and Camp for Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano Senior HS Bands -
2001-2009
- Coordinated Summer Drumline Camps for Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano Senior HS -
2001-2009
- Coordinated Summer Colorguard Camps for Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano Senior HS -
2001-2009
- Summer Band Camp for Plano Senior HS Band -
2001-2009
Projects
- Coordinate and Administer Honors Band Program at Plano Senior HS -
2001-present
- Chamber Ensemble Program and Staffing at Plano Senior HS -
2006-present
- Concert Band Sectionals and Staffing at Plano Senior HS -
2006-present
- Melody and Tonality Curriculum for Plano Senior HS Band and Central Cluster Bands
- 2009
- Supervised Construction of Plano Senior HS Band Web site -
2009
- Plano Central Cluster Bands
- Combined Football Game Performance with Haggard MS, Wilson MS, Schimelpfenig MS, and Rice MS -
2007-2009
- Central Cluster Band Pre-UIL concerts for all Central Cluster Bands -
2004-2009
- Combined Football Game Performance with Vines HS, Jasper HS, and Plano SHS Bands
- 2001-2009
- Posture and Instrument Carriage Standards for Plano Senior HS Band and Central Cluster
Bands - 2007
- Purchased and Designed New Marching Band Uniforms for Plano Senior HS Band -
2007
- Plano Senior HS Band Officer and Section Leader Duties and Responsibilities Manual -
2006
- Rhythm Curriculum for Plano Senior HS Band and Central Cluster Bands -
2005
- Designed, Built and Painted exterior and interior of Plano Senior HS Band Tractor Trailer -
2005
- Plano Central Cluster Private Lesson Staff Realignment -
2004
- Plano Central Cluster Marching Fundamentals Handbook -
2002
- Plano Central Cluster Marching Warm-up Exercises and Drills -
2002
- Plano Senior HS Band Handbook including procedures, policies, discipline and attendance expectations, consequences, events and program goals -
2001
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