Write a commentThe U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) have announced that Scott Ciesla, Director of Bands at Oswego High School in Oswego, New York, as the recipient of the 2016 National Band Director of the Year Award. The announcement was made at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show in San Antonio, Texas.
“The U.S. Army is proud of its distinguished musical history and legacy for producing great leaders,” said Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing. “Band directors play an important role in the positive development of America’s youth; they are accomplished and respected leaders, who like our Army Soldiers, base their leadership on a set of core values. We congratulate Scott on being recognized as Band Director of the Year and thank him for his dedication.”
A member of the New York State School of Music Association, and of the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) for 10 years, Scott Ciesla has been a Director of Bands at Oswego High School since 2010 and is presently in his 14th year of teaching. His responsibilities include directing the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Marching Band, Brass Instruction, Solo and Ensemble Coach, as well as co-teaching the Middle School Jazz Band. Oswego High School is the only school in the country to have a student earn the honor of being accepted into the U.S. All-American Marching Band every year since it's inception in 2008. There have been a total of 14 students in 9 years who have earned the right to be called U.S.Army All-Americans.
"Scott is deeply honored and excited to receive such a prestigious award but notes that this award is not about him. It is really about the Oswego City School District, the Oswego music program and its students, parents, community, K-12 music faculty members, past directors, and the marching band staff members who have helped these students grow in the outstanding leaders, musicians, and performers that they are today. Oswego is truly a wonderful place to work and I am very proud of our program and honored to represent this wonderful community!"
The National Band Director of the Year Award honors the band director who has been an inspiration to students and music educators, and who by his or her actions, embodies the U.S. Army’s core values. The award, now in its sixth year, was added to the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band program as part of its efforts to acknowledge the contribution of music education to the development of America’s youth.
For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events, visit usarmyallamericanbowl.com and goarmy.com/events/aab or the official Facebook and Twitter pages located at facebook.com/USArmyAllAmericanBowl and twitter.com/armyallamerican.
