John Szczerowski
2016 - Present
John Szczerowski is currently in his eleventh year of teaching, the last six of which have been as Director of Bands at Grand Ledge High School, where his duties include conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Comet Band. He also directs the 175-member, co-curricular, Comet Marching Band. The Comet Marching Band hosts the annual Grand Ledge Marching Band Invitational, which this fall will be in its 35th year. Prior to moving to Grand Ledge, Mr. Szczerowski spent five years at Reed City Public Schools where he taught 6-12 band. Under his direction, the high school program at Reed City grew from 37 to 100 members, created a thriving chamber music program, and earned five consecutive first division ratings at MSBOA’s District Band Festival. As an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), Mr. Szczerowski currently serves District 8 as Vice President of HS Solo & Ensemble and has previously served as All-State Chair for District 8, Site Chair for State Solo and Ensemble Festivals as well as a host to Band and Orchestra festivals, and All-State auditions. More recently, Mr. Szczerowski qualified through MSBOA to become an adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble as well as Band and Orchestra festivals and in the spring of 2021 was inducted into the American School Band Director Association. Mr. Szczerowski has had significant success at MSBOA-sponsored festivals, earning numerous First Division ratings at District and State levels. Under his direction, the Grand Ledge band program has earned several Michigan Youth Arts Festival chamber ensemble nominations and in 2017 and 2018 had ensembles earn the distinction of being selected to perform at the festival. Grand Ledge bands have also consistently had numerous students perform with the MSBOA All-State Band and Orchestra. Additionally, the Comet Marching Band regularly competes in the Michigan Scholastic Marching Band Circuit and in 2021 earned Grand Champions at the Rockford Invitational, and won first place in class AA at the Hastings and East Kentwood Invitationals. As a strong supporter of new music, Mr. Szczerowski has commissioned and been a consortium member to thirteen new pieces of music for concert band over the last five years. In 2019, the Grand Ledge Wind Symphony commissioned and gave the world premiere of Andrew David Perkins’ award-winning fanfare CLUTCH, which has gone on to be performed nationwide by several university ensembles including performances at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago. A native of Big Rapids, Mr. Szczerowski earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Trombone Performance degrees from Michigan State University, where he studied with Ava Ordman and Curtis Olson. Mr. Szczerowski remains an active performer as a member of Con Brio Voce Chamber Brass and also has performed with the Lansing and Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestras. He and his wife Laura Antonius have been married eight years and currently reside in Lansing.
2016 - Present
John Szczerowski is currently in his eleventh year of teaching, the last six of which have been as Director of Bands at Grand Ledge High School, where his duties include conducting the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Comet Band. He also directs the 175-member, co-curricular, Comet Marching Band. The Comet Marching Band hosts the annual Grand Ledge Marching Band Invitational, which this fall will be in its 35th year. Prior to moving to Grand Ledge, Mr. Szczerowski spent five years at Reed City Public Schools where he taught 6-12 band. Under his direction, the high school program at Reed City grew from 37 to 100 members, created a thriving chamber music program, and earned five consecutive first division ratings at MSBOA’s District Band Festival. As an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), Mr. Szczerowski currently serves District 8 as Vice President of HS Solo & Ensemble and has previously served as All-State Chair for District 8, Site Chair for State Solo and Ensemble Festivals as well as a host to Band and Orchestra festivals, and All-State auditions. More recently, Mr. Szczerowski qualified through MSBOA to become an adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble as well as Band and Orchestra festivals and in the spring of 2021 was inducted into the American School Band Director Association. Mr. Szczerowski has had significant success at MSBOA-sponsored festivals, earning numerous First Division ratings at District and State levels. Under his direction, the Grand Ledge band program has earned several Michigan Youth Arts Festival chamber ensemble nominations and in 2017 and 2018 had ensembles earn the distinction of being selected to perform at the festival. Grand Ledge bands have also consistently had numerous students perform with the MSBOA All-State Band and Orchestra. Additionally, the Comet Marching Band regularly competes in the Michigan Scholastic Marching Band Circuit and in 2021 earned Grand Champions at the Rockford Invitational, and won first place in class AA at the Hastings and East Kentwood Invitationals. As a strong supporter of new music, Mr. Szczerowski has commissioned and been a consortium member to thirteen new pieces of music for concert band over the last five years. In 2019, the Grand Ledge Wind Symphony commissioned and gave the world premiere of Andrew David Perkins’ award-winning fanfare CLUTCH, which has gone on to be performed nationwide by several university ensembles including performances at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago. A native of Big Rapids, Mr. Szczerowski earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Trombone Performance degrees from Michigan State University, where he studied with Ava Ordman and Curtis Olson. Mr. Szczerowski remains an active performer as a member of Con Brio Voce Chamber Brass and also has performed with the Lansing and Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestras. He and his wife Laura Antonius have been married eight years and currently reside in Lansing.
David Funk
David Funk has been in music education for forty years. He taught 36 years in Colorado and Michigan, with the last twenty-five years at the Olivet Community School District. There, he taught students in 5th-12th grades, including marching band, concert band, jazz band, and pit orchestra for school musicals, as well as developing musicians to perform in MSBOA solo & ensemble festivals. He has also taught guitar, choir, theory, and elementary music. David coached basketball, volleyball, and baseball at the junior high and varsity levels for two decades. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music, and is a proud alumnus of Rockford High School. Honors include: Olivet High School Band selected to perform at the Western Michigan University Spring Conference on Wind & Percussion Music, multiple performances in nationally televised parades, and consistent superior ratings at district and state festivals for concert (middle school and high school) and jazz bands. David is an active member and adjudicator with MSBOA, having hosted band festival, and served as chair for district jazz festival. Since retiring from full-time teaching, he currently serves as a school specialist and clinician with Meyer Music. He also has the privilege to work as the assistant marching band director to the Grand Ledge High School Marching Band, and assists with solo and ensemble preparation. David taught for many years alongside his wife, Lynne, and enjoys gardening, traveling, skiing, and is a proud father to three: Taylor, Trisha, and Robert.
David Funk has been in music education for forty years. He taught 36 years in Colorado and Michigan, with the last twenty-five years at the Olivet Community School District. There, he taught students in 5th-12th grades, including marching band, concert band, jazz band, and pit orchestra for school musicals, as well as developing musicians to perform in MSBOA solo & ensemble festivals. He has also taught guitar, choir, theory, and elementary music. David coached basketball, volleyball, and baseball at the junior high and varsity levels for two decades. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music, and is a proud alumnus of Rockford High School. Honors include: Olivet High School Band selected to perform at the Western Michigan University Spring Conference on Wind & Percussion Music, multiple performances in nationally televised parades, and consistent superior ratings at district and state festivals for concert (middle school and high school) and jazz bands. David is an active member and adjudicator with MSBOA, having hosted band festival, and served as chair for district jazz festival. Since retiring from full-time teaching, he currently serves as a school specialist and clinician with Meyer Music. He also has the privilege to work as the assistant marching band director to the Grand Ledge High School Marching Band, and assists with solo and ensemble preparation. David taught for many years alongside his wife, Lynne, and enjoys gardening, traveling, skiing, and is a proud father to three: Taylor, Trisha, and Robert.
Laura Schramm
Laura Schramm is the Assistant Director of Bands for Grand Ledge Schools and the band director at Hayes Intermediate School. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in 2019 and completed her student teaching at DeWitt Middle School. Before returning to teach at her alma mater, Schramm served as the Director of Bands and Elementary Music for Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools and was a member of the Keweenaw Music Educators Association. She is in her first year of teaching at Grand Ledge Schools.
Laura Schramm is the Assistant Director of Bands for Grand Ledge Schools and the band director at Hayes Intermediate School. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in 2019 and completed her student teaching at DeWitt Middle School. Before returning to teach at her alma mater, Schramm served as the Director of Bands and Elementary Music for Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools and was a member of the Keweenaw Music Educators Association. She is in her first year of teaching at Grand Ledge Schools.
Previous Directors
Risa Hsu (2013-2016)
Michael Kaufman (1981 - 2008)
Harvey Benstein (1974 - 1981)
Gary Oberlin (1970 - 1974)
Robert Houston (1969 - 1970)
L. John Wenglarski (1968 - 1969)
Jerry Jenson (1961 - 1968)
Roger E. Kramer (1956 - 1961)
Art Moe (1946 - 1956)
Russell Williams (1943 - 1946)
Charles Yates (1940 - 1943)
Mary Strong (1930 - 1939)
Michael Kaufman (1981 - 2008)
Harvey Benstein (1974 - 1981)
Gary Oberlin (1970 - 1974)
Robert Houston (1969 - 1970)
L. John Wenglarski (1968 - 1969)
Jerry Jenson (1961 - 1968)
Roger E. Kramer (1956 - 1961)
Art Moe (1946 - 1956)
Russell Williams (1943 - 1946)
Charles Yates (1940 - 1943)
Mary Strong (1930 - 1939)
