Millard West Wind Ensemble

Since the school's opening in August 1995, the Millard West Band has established a tradition of excellence. The band program consists of 145 students participating in Marching Band, 3 Concert Bands, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and chamber ensembles. Freshman students participate in the Mass Marching Band and the Concert Band. Sophomore through Senior students participate in the Varsity Marching Band and either the Symphonic Band or the Wind Ensemble based on auditions held in early November. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in chamber music, whether performing solos or in ensembles. Our ensembles have received Superior Ratings at the state, regional, and national level. The Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2007 NSBA Convention but unfortunately did not get to perform due to the convention being cancelled by the Blizzard. Our Band Program received the NSBA Excellence in Academic Achievement Award in 2008, and the Marching Band was recently selected to participate in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2010.

Millard West High School operates on the Block Schedule. Block scheduling has been a trend in school scheduling for several years. While many music programs have struggled under the 4x4 block schedule, the Music Department at Millard West has thrived due to cooperation within the department and Administrative support. Students have the opportunity to be a member of up to three ensembles during the same block (band, orchestra, and/or choir). We share students every day, actually running a block schedule inside the block schedule. While permitting students to be involved in multiple ensembles during the block is very positive for the individual, it does limit full ensemble rehearsal time. Instead of seeing all students in band five days a week for 90 minutes, we only rehearse with the full ensemble three days a week for 45 minutes. Planning is very important to maximize rehearsal time.

The American Music Conference has named the Millard School District one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America for 2005. This marks the fourth time that Millard has achieved the top ranking, having received the award in 2003, 2002 and 2000.

John Keith is currently in his seventh year as Director of Bands at Millard West High School. His responsibilities include directing the Varsity Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble I and co-directing the Concert Band. In addition to his directing responsibilities, Mr. Keith teaches The Music Consumer (a music appreciation class), Music Theory, A.P. Music Theory, and he is the Music Department Initiator.

Prior to moving to Omaha, Mr. Keith taught at Pekin Community High School in Pekin, Illinois for eleven years. While teaching in Illinois, Mr. Keith was active at both the District and State levels of the Illinois Music Educators Association, serving as the District IV Jazz Chairman and the All-State Jazz Band Chair, judging percussion auditions for the student All-State Ensembles, presenting at the IMEA Convention (as a member of the Rhythm City Percussion Ensemble), and Guest Conducting the District II Junior High Jazz Band.

Mr. Keith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (l 990) and his Master of Arts degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University (2000). Mr. Keith's professional memberships include NSBA, NMEA, MENC, and PAS. A native of Decatur, Illinois, Mr. Keith currently resides in Omaha with his wife Tracy, and their children Tyler and Kelsey.