Meet Our Musicians: Joel Shaner
Joel Shaner, Music Instructor at Jackson H.S, received his BME from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music-Trumpet Performance, from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. Mr. Shaner is in his twenty-seventh year of teaching, previously at East Jackson, Owendale/Gagetown, and the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Joel is in his 26th year with the Jackson Symphony Orch. as Principal Tpt., and also a founding member of the JSO Comm. Music School. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, MIJAE, MSBOA, and ASBDA. Mr. Shaner was named Secondary Teacher of the Year for Jackson Public Schools (2003-4). Mr. Shaner was nominated for MSBOA Teacher of the Year by District 8 in 2008, and was named the MSBOA Band Teacher of the Year for 2009.
Mr. Shaner is currently the State Vice-President for the MSBOA B/O Festivals for 2009/10. He has held many positions with the MSBOA, including State Vice President for Solo and Ensemble Festivals, District 8 President, VP positions for-Adjudication and Band/Orchestra and S/E, All-State Ensembles, MYAF, Music Education, Jazz Festivals and FIC. Jackson H.S. is a regular host for District and State Festivals, meetings and workshops for MSBOA. Joel is an active adjudicator for Band, Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble, and Jazz for the MSBOA-District and State Festivals; as well as being active as a clinician and workshop presenter. He has held appointments with the Jackson Youth Symphony, the JSO Board of Directors, Jackson Community Foundation-Board of Directors serving as chairperson for four grant cycles.
Mr. Shaner is in his twelfth year at Jackson High School, currently teaching four concert bands, two jazz ensembles, one jazz combo, a volunteer marching band, coaching many small ensembles, all of which received first division ratings this past year. Joel is the Dept Chairperson for Fine Arts, Auditorium Coordinator and after school arts activities. Mr. Shaner regularly travels with his students: performance and travel destinations include Washington DC, Chicago, Toronto, Manhattan-New York, Orlando and Tampa. Mr. Shaner and the Jackson High School Band Program were recently featured in the March 2008 issue of The Instrumentalist magazine, article titled “Music Thrives at Jackson High”.
Joel resides in Jackson with his wife Beth, and their three children…Evan/Carla, Ryan and Katie, and is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Jackson.