2009-2010 Annual Report - St. Mary's Central High School
2009-2010 Annual Report - St. Mary's Central High School
2009-2010 Annual Report - St. Mary's Central High School
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SMCHS Proudly Dedicates the <strong>2009</strong> - <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Annual</strong><br />
<strong>Report</strong> to the “Music Man” William J. Schmidt<br />
Bill Schmidt, “Mr. Schmidt” to most, lost his battle with<br />
cancer April 10, <strong>2010</strong>, at age 58. Mr. Schmidt was the director<br />
of instrumental music at <strong>St</strong>. Mary’s <strong>Central</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, a<br />
position he held since 1974. In addition to his responsibilities as<br />
department chair, he directed the Wind Orchestra, Pep Band and<br />
the “Marching Saints.”<br />
His talents did not stop there. He served as a guest conductor at<br />
the International Music Camp since 1987. Mr. Schmidt was the<br />
Auditions and Finance Manager for the North Dakota All-<strong>St</strong>ate<br />
Band, Choirs, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir, and<br />
directed the Bismarck-Mandan Wind Ensemble.<br />
Mr. Schmidt was the recipient of many awards during his<br />
profession. In 1989, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce selected him to receive the “Crystal Apple Award” for<br />
Excellence in Education – Teacher of the Year. He also the received the “1990 Catholic <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> Educator of<br />
the Year Award,” the “Citation of Excellence” award from the National Band Association, and was inducted into<br />
the John Philip Sousa Foundation “Legion of Honor” at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in<br />
December 1998. Mr. Schmidt was named a Fulbright Scholar. Bands under his direction were selected to perform for<br />
the North Dakota Music Educators Association conference in 1992, 1999 and 2006. SMCHS Wind Orchestra was<br />
also selected and performed for the North <strong>Central</strong> MENC conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2006. In March <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
the North Dakota Music Educators Association presented Bill with their Educator of the Year award.<br />
Mr. Schmidt will be remembered as the music man who taught many students using his unique method of teaching<br />
and mentoring. Inspired by his motivation, dedication, strict discipline, students gained a sense of pride in knowing<br />
they excelled beyond their expectations.<br />
Mr. Schmidt lived by his favorite mottos: “When you work, work hard; when you play, play hard; and when you<br />
pray, pray hard,” and his most famous quote, “Early is on time and on time is late.” Although his time on this earth<br />
was short, his words, memories and spirit will live on in the hearts of the students and the halls of <strong>St</strong>. Mary’s <strong>Central</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> forever. Mr. Schmidt, the Marching Saints are still “waking them up”!<br />
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