(Middlefield, OH) - Directing a band is a dream come true for Lauren Zetts who was approved at the Board of Education meeting on May 8th, 2024. Zetts graduated from Lowellville High School located in Lowellville, OH an hour south of Middlefield. Zetts most recently served as the Elementary Music Teacher at Brookfield Local School District, while also working alongside the High School Marching Band as assistant band director. She also spent some time as a Music Technology teacher. She still performs with many small ensembles and groups including, The Salem Quaker City Band, The Youngstown Saxon Culture Group Brass Band, The Warren Brass Quintet, and The W.D. Packard Concert Band.
After high school, Zetts attended Youngstown State University and graduated in 2020 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Furthering her education, Zetts attended Ohio University where she served as the Tuba and Euphonium Graduate Assistant while earning her Master of Music Brass Performance, a Master of Arts Administration degree and a graduate certificate in conducting.
From the beginning, Zetts has always been interested in music. She began her musical journey while in the fifth grade where she first learned how to play the trumpet before switching to tuba in the seventh grade. Her most memorable moment in school was when she was selected to the “principal chair” in the All-State Band. During that same year she also participated in the Ohio Band Directors Conference Honors Band, and the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. The application process of All-State Band looks a little like this.
The student applying must be a member of their school band in Grades 9-12. They must then videotape a recording of them playing the required etudes/solos/scales/warm-up which is given to the applicant beforehand. An application fee of $20 is also asked to be paid ahead of your audition. If you are selected, you then perform with many other students from around the area for a concert in February.
By the time Lauren was in the seventh grade, her desire of pursuing music in a career blossomed, as she remembers the exact moment that it clicked in her head that she was capable of making that dream become a reality.
“Some of the most compelling reasons that contributed to my pursuit of music education include the research on the benefits of music education and its application that lead to an end result of personal and professional growth and development, the qualities that are taught through music making, and participation in a musical ensemble that can be lifelong lessons that transfer to other facets of life, and that music is a place for everyone,” said Zetts.
One of Zetts’ most memorable moments from her high school career was when she and her classmates participated in Disney’s Magic Kingdom parade. She got to experience it not once, but twice. First in the eighth grade, and then again as a junior in high school.
“It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my musical journey to turn onto Main Street and play for the largest crowd that I ever have,” said Zetts.
Not only has Zetts traveled to the Happiest Place on Earth, she also has been selected as the President-Elect and the President of the Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association State Board.
“I had the opportunity to serve the collegiate music education community in Ohio, and I even got to travel to Washington D.C., where I worked alongside four other collegiate students in the state of Ohio to advocate for music education on Capitol Hill,” said Zetts. “I also had the pleasure to hold several leadership positions with the YSU Marching Pride including section leader and drum major.”
While at Ohio University, Zetts also represented Pi Kappa Lambda, which is a prestigious honor society that recognizes and encourages musicians to excel at the musical and scholarship fields of college. That is where she learned a lot about her philosophy of music education.
“My philosophy of music education is that each and every student has a place in a music classroom,” said Zetts. “Each student should have access to a well-rounded experience that affords them the opportunity to experience and connect with something that is in the air and all around them in their daily lives. While I know throughout my lifetime that a majority of my students may not go on to pursue music professionally, it is my hope that the skills, values, and lessons provided by the music-making process and ensemble experience are something that they will continue to carry with them throughout their lives.”
Fortunately, members of the Marching Band and Cardinal Silks Flag Line have done a lot of traveling and seeing different cultures in their experiences during the fall season. Events such as college basketball and football games, parades and in festivals near and far, even events like Honors Band during the concert season, all of these events have helped shape our students at Cardinal into better people and establish memories that will last a lifetime.
As soon as Zetts’ season began in July, she and the rest of her team got the ball rolling for an unforgettable season. Zetts has been eager to get her stamp on a young, but talented group of musicians. A group that is extremely excited and motivated.
“I was most drawn to Cardinal for the strong history of the music department, and how that history is so tightly woven with the community,” said Zetts.
This is just the third band director in over two decades for the Huskies.
“One of my primary focuses throughout my graduate studies was on building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships for all stakeholders in the sector of fine arts education. My interest only grew stronger as my experience with this community intersected with my personal and professional values, interests, and skill sets. I plan to continue the strong tradition of the music department by continuing to foster an environment that offers students a well-rounded musical experience that bolsters their personal interests, motivations, and continues to propel their sense of pride in self, ensemble, and community,” said Zetts. “I also plan to continue our strong community relations by getting to really know our community, building new connections and fostering our current relationships, and increasing the music departments involvement in the community through music-making experiences and performances.”
Despite the many young members and a new director, the Huskies brought back a small, but determined senior class. Captain Damion Windell and Co-Lieutenants Starr Dillion and Ruth Lingler, along with Flag Line Lieutenant Briana Lew have represent the Cardinal Huskies Marching Band and Silks Flag Line well. Juniors Emma Clinger and Elisabeth Morris were voted as Drum Major and Flag Line Captain.
Get ready to hear the roar of tigers and wondrous colors of a “Welcome to the Jungle” show. The Huskies will play one-hit wonders such as “Eye of the Tiger,” “Shake a Tail Feather,” and “Animal” by Neon Trees. Be sure to attend any halftime of the Huskies’ football games local parades and community functions to watch and sing-a-long with the Huskies.
“My short-term goals for this upcoming season include focusing on building a relationship with students and the community, initiating and laying down the framework for an alumni band event during marching season, taking a “senior trip” for our band seniors that allows them to have a unique musical experience, and strengthening our community involvement through student ownership and participation in music-making with an initiative called “Huskie Sound All Around.” It is my hope to have ensembles of varying sizes and instrumentation performing in places around our community at least once a month,” said Zetts on her vision for her first season as the director.
“My favorite thing about being a musician is the diverse range of experiences that have been afforded to me and all of the people that I have met along the way,” said Zetts. “I have met and continue to maintain relationships with some of my best friends through these ensembles and my other music-making experiences.”
She hopes to leave her mark on this young group and has many goals for what her future at Cardinal Schools will look like.
“My long-term goals for my time at Cardinal include developing our current relationships with the music department and community, researching and developing untapped potential partnerships and relationships, expanding our activity in the community, extending our reach beyond our Huskie Nation, providing students with the support and opportunity for additional musical endeavors such as honors societies and honors ensembles, and affording students the opportunity to participate in a larger band trip every four to five years that allows our students to have unique trips and experiences.”
Zetts was joined by first-year Cardinal Elementary School teacher Sarah LaManita who will also serve as the marching band’s assistant band director. LaMantia graduated from Kirtland High School in 2020, and recently graduated from the University of Miami - Oxford. Haley Adams began her sixth season as the Cardinal Silks Flag Line advisor in July. Together, the young women are looking to take the group to new heights!