Meet Mike Mitchell

Band Co-Presidents Nancy Goldenberg & Julie Ward with Mike Mitchell

Mr. Mitchell started his 27th year as a band director this fall. Over the course of his career he has taught students in elementary, middle and high school. He has an MA in Educational Leadership -- summa cum laude (that is a lot of As!) He has earned nothing less than Superiors for the past 20+ years. During the years that he had a competition marching band, his dance team, percussion, brass, woodwinds and colorguard all placed First. With his experience teaching orchestra, he will be part of launching the brand new program at LMHS this fall.

Mr. Mitchell has been an active member of both the Florida and Georgia Bandmasters Associations during his career. He has conducted numerous honor bands in several states, and has served as adjudicator for MS and HS bands. In fact, 10 years ago he judged Ms. Pattishall and Lake Mary HS Band! (Ms. P was the director of LM Band for 27 years.) He says he was blown away by the quality of the playing from the first note till the last. So he has had respect for the Lake Mary band program for many years.

		Mr. Mitchell's instruments are the tuba and the string bass in orchestra. "Fun" seems to be a word he takes very seriously: "Marching Band is all about fun for me. Students shouldn't say "I have to go to band rehearsal.' They should look forward to it." It is very important to him that all the segments of the band work together as a team and feel like a family. He says that one of his strengths is bringing together diverse groups to work well together.

Similarly, he wants the audience to enjoy the half-time show. He doesn't want the band to play "esoteric music so that the audience thinks 'I should go buy some popcorn now.' He wants them to be glued to their seats and say 'Man! I wish I was on that field playing that music!'" This year's half-time theme of "Elvis" is sure to accomplish that goal!

We welcome Mr. Mitchell back to Florida and wish him a very successful year at Lake Mary High School.