May 13, 2026
GRAND LEDGE, MI – Grand Ledge High School Band Director, John Szczerowski, has been named the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 8 Band Teacher of the Year.
MSBOA District 8 includes schools in a five-county (Ingham, Eaton, Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale) area in south-central Michigan. As District 8’s peer-elected Band Teacher of the Year, Szczerowski’s name will be submitted to the state executive board for consideration to be one of the three finalists placed on the ballot for State Band Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year.
“I’m beyond honored to be named the MSBOA District 8 Band Teacher of the Year,” said Szczerowski. “I am grateful to teach in a district that is so supportive of the arts and have been overwhelmed by the recognition and kind words I’ve received.”
Mr. Szczerowski was nominated by District 8 member and MSBOA State President Bryan Mangiavellano. In a letter of recommendation, Mangiavellano states, “John’s ensembles consistently perform at the highest level of artistic merit. His Concert Bands are a fixture of excellence at (Band) Festivals, where they are frequently recognized for their refined tone, sophisticated phrasing, and technical precision. The performance of his Wind Symphony at the 2026 Michigan Music Conference was breathtaking. This success is not limited to the concert stage; his Marching Band program is equally outstanding.”
In addition to his hard work with his students, Szczerowski is also a dedicated and active member of the MSBOA. He has served the district in multiple Vice President positions and has volunteered to host festivals and audition sites.
In closing his letter, Mangiavellano said, “John Szczerowski embodies the qualities we celebrate in a Teacher of the Year: a master educator who produces elite musical results while simultaneously laboring behind the scenes to better our profession. He is a credit to his school district and a cornerstone of District 8.”
