Music Man marching on

Austin High School band director Bradley Mariska has been a fixture of energy and drive these last four years; however, he’s moving on in his career, taking a job with Farmington High School next school year. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin High School band director Bradley Mariska has been a fixture of energy and drive these last four years; however, he’s moving on in his career, taking a job with Farmington High School next school year. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

During an after school lesson Wednesday afternoon, Bradley Mariska helped one of his students with a difficult section of concert music. Playing alongside the student with an instrument of his own, they work through the song bit by bit to assure he understands it.

But after four years of coming in early, staying late and dedicating himself to the program, Mariska will step down as band director at Austin High School and take a new job as co-band director at Farmington High School.

“It’s hard to believe four years have passed already,” Mariska said.

Austin High School band director Bradley Mariska directs during the pre-concert Jazz Cafe before Band Blast Friday night in Knowlton Auditorium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin High School band director Bradley Mariska directs during the pre-concert Jazz Cafe before Band Blast Friday night in Knowlton Auditorium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Mariska started at AHS in 2012 with big plans for the band program.

He wanted to get more involved in the community with more pep band performances, recreating the jazz bands and increasing the overall enthusiasm of the bands.

“Playing an instrument can be one of the best parts of a middle school or high school experience,” Mariska said. “I tried to make the program accessible to all students. There is a spot in band for everyone.”

During his time at AHS, he added an intermediate Symphonic Band, three jazz bands, a jazz ensemble and brought the pep band to numerous sporting events to perform, including hockey and cross country.

Junior Christine Nelson has enjoyed having Mariska as a teacher the last three years in class and jazz band. She said Mariska teaches not only lessons about band, but life lessons as well.

“Every day is a good memory with him,” she said. “He tries to make every day a great day with his attitude.”

Christine has been an active member of the band since she joined in fifth grade. She’s appreciative that he brought enthusiasm and jazz ensembles back to the program.

“He has inspired so many kids to be in band,” she said.

Participation in the high school bands has increased greatly not only at the high school level over the past four years, but districtwide as well, according to Mariska.

“Overall, [the total number of students in band] has almost doubled,” he said.

Among his favorite memories are attending the Minnesota Music Educators Association midwinter clinic in 2013, trips to state basketball to play pep band, and the trip to New York City last spring.

“It’s impossible to choose a single favorite memory,” Mariska said.

For Mariska, leaving AHS came down to a number of professional and personal reasons.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to be at a larger school with a larger band program,” he said.

At Farmington High School, he will direct two intermediate bands and co-direct the jazz bands, as well as the competitive marching band. According to Mariska, he is excited to collaborate with another band director and have the ability to share the tasks together.

Austin High School band director Brad Mariska applauds with the audience for AHS Scarlet Jazz during the pre-concert Jazz Cafe before Band Blast Friday night in Knowlton Auditorium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin High School band director Brad Mariska applauds with the audience for AHS Scarlet Jazz during the pre-concert Jazz Cafe before Band Blast Friday night in Knowlton Auditorium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“It will be a great learning experience to see another band director in action,” he said.

While he’s excited to move to a larger town, he will miss the pride of the Austin community.

“Austin is still a small town and there is a level of community support you lose when join go to a larger town. People don’t connect as much or get as involved with the bands at larger schools,” Mariska said. “[Here in Austin], people who don’t have kids in band, choir or orchestra still come to the concerts.”

The school has begun to search for a replacement but have not selected a new director yet.

SportsPlus

News

Feds to probe Minnesota State High School League over transgender athlete policy

Mower County

Hormel honors winners of Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest

News

MnDOT announces winners of Name a Snowplow contest

News

US inflation got worse with rising groceries and gasoline prices

Education

With federal money at risk, Minnesota’s public colleges stress high stakes of state budget debate

Mower County

Snow, cold to impact region into tomorrow

Business

Hosting Legends: Mower CEO program promising big night with Local Legends concert

Education

APS School board authorizes bidding process for tennis courts reconstruction

Mower County

Austin Symphony Orchestra gets a little help in promotion for Sunday’s concert

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 27-Feb. 3

Education

Local students advance to Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee

Education

Education Briefs

News

Trump steel, aluminum tariffs likely to drive up car costs, industry leaders say

News

Republicans put fraud, measures to stop it in spotlight as they take Minnesota House reins

News

Most nations miss deadline for plans to fight climate change

News

Trump once again slaps taxes on foreign steel, aluminum, a move that proved costly in his first term

Education

APS Board votes to return to 2020 version of sex nondiscrimination policy

Mower County

Man already charged in two cases of criminal sexual conduct with a child charged a third time

News

Judge finds Trump administration hasn’t fully followed his order to unfreeze federal spending

Mower County

Hormel Historic Home’s Harris Music Contest registration deadline approaching

Mower County

Percussive impact: MacPhail’s Cheryl Berglund being honored at state conference

Mower County

Mower keeps up septic progress countywide

News

Summerset Theatre announces Season 57

Business

Listening session lets employers voice concerns