A local music director recently received a big honor.

Mariska

Austin High School Director of Bands Bradley Mariska was recently appointed to the State Executive Board of the Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA). Mariska has been an active member of MBDA for over 11 years, serving several times as a section coach for regional and state events and as an MBDA Beginner Band Festival host.

In June, Mariska was appointed membership chair of the organization’s state executive board. In this role, Mariska will work to increase membership and participation among school, university, and community band directors throughout the state, and work to develop and publicize the many outreach programs available to member directors and their students. Mariska kicked off his two-year term by recently attending the MBDA Summer Teaching Symposium at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

According to their website, the MBDA is an organization assisting in the development of band directors and band programs throughout Minnesota. The organization exists to assist and serve the needs of band directors in all areas of the profession and to encourage their growth and development of bands and band music.

Mariska is beginning his fourth year as director of bands at Austin High School.