New Director of Bands Focused on Building Relationships, Honoring Tradition

Daniel Berard, the new Director of Bands for Grain Valley High School, has not let distance get in the way of starting his work with students. Prior to an interview with Grain Valley News, Berard was Skyping with students about the coming season. He says that establishing relationships with students and staff is his primary goal as he begins his tenure with Grain Valley this school year.

Berard brings 25 years of experience as a high school band director, most recently having served as Director of Bands at Fossil Ridge High School, in Fort Collins, Colorado from 2004-2018.

He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Colorado State University. Prior to his current position at Fossil Ridge, Berard led successful

programs at Ponderosa and Douglas County High Schools and also served on the instructional staff for several Drum & Bugle Corps, including: The Madison Scouts, The Cavaliers, and currently, The Cadets.

Berard is one of 17 directors nation -wide to be named a Yamaha Master Educator, is active as a clinician, adjudicator and conductor, and has presented at numerous clinics and conventions across the country. He has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, and in 2012 was named one of the "50 Directors Who Make a Difference" by School Band & Orchestra Magazine.

Berard is enthusiastic about leading the Grain Valley bands program and sees great potential in what is possible, “I am excited to be joining the Grain Valley High School Band staff and am excited to build upon the foundation of excellence that the program has become known for.”, Berard said.

“As we chart our path for the future of the program, it is my intention that the students of GVHS Bands will be considered among the top echelon across the country in concert, marching, chamber, percussion, color guard, and jazz ensembles.”

Berard believes that the concept for the coming season is to “explore the role of the artist in our society and how individual artists find opportunities to elevate art on a daily basis”. From an educational standpoint, he further explains that he “looks forward to building this connection with students to help them understand how each

individual voice is unique” and thus connect with each other a little more powerfully.

The band will return this year to the St. Louis Bands of America Super Regional Competition, where they placed fifth overall. In addition, the band will travel to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for the Broken Arrow Marching Band Invitational.

In his spare time. Mr. Berard enjoys hiking with Tucker, “the world’s greatest dog”, and riding his motorcycle. He looks forward to exploring the trails in eastern Jackson County once he is settled in the area.

Mr. Berard replaces Reid Atkinson, who announced last month he had accepted a position at Vista Ridge High School with Leander ISD in Texas. Atkinson has led the Grain Valley High School band program for 10 years.