Thomas L. Chiera
Director of Bands
Thomas Chiera is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Mr. Chiera currently is celebrating his
9th year of teaching. This is his 5th year as Director of Bands at Norton City Schools where he conducts the High School Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band,
Jazz Band, Pep Band, middle school bands, and the 5th grade beginning band. Mr. Chiera also instructs the Music Theory and Appreciation course at the High School as well as Music Exploratory class at the Middle School. Prior to his tenure at Norton City Schools, Mr. Chiera was Assistant Director of Bands at Tipp City Exempted Village Schools for four years. In addition to his contribution to the Norton Music Department, Mr. Chiera is a member of many professional musical organizations, including Ohio Music Educators Association [OMEA], Music Educators National Conference [MENC], Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Music Fraternity and Bands of America [BOA]. He has performed with Miami Valley British Brass Band, Summit Choral Society Orchestra, Sinclair Community Band, and various small and large ensembles while attending BGSU. [Email
Mr. Chiera]
Charles
A. Kaufman
Assistant Director of Bands
Charles Kaufman is a graduate of the University of Akron and Nova Southeastern University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction,
respectively. Mr. Kaufman currently is celebrating his 17th year of teaching. This is his 16th year as Assistant Band Director at Norton City Schools where he conducts the middle school bands, 5th grade beginning band,
and high school concert/symphonic bands. Mr. Kaufman also instructs the general music courses offered at Norton Middle School. Prior to Norton City Schools Mr. Kaufman taught band, choir, and general music for the Fairport Harbor Local School District for one year. Mr. Kaufman previously served as Associate Director to the Norton Marching Band from 1988-1994 and as music director at First Presbyterian Church of Barberton for four years. Mr. Kaufman is an active member of the Ohio Music Educators Association [OMEA] and Music Educators National Conference [MENC]. [Email
Mr. Kaufman]
Dennis
M. Oswald
Assistant Director of Marching Band
Dennis Oswald is currently serving his
2nd year as Assistant Director of the Norton Marching Band after spending the past eight years as Associate Director. Mr. Oswald contributes a wide variety of services to the Norton Band program. He not only serves as a visual/marching and maneuvering tech, but also he handles much of the "behind-the-scenes" tasks before all activities. Mr. Oswald earned his Bachelor of Science in Education [Integrated Mathematics] degree from Kent State University in May 2004
and his Masters of Education degree in
Educational Administration from Kent State University in May
2010. Aside from his duties as Assistant Director to the Norton Marching Band, Mr. Oswald is currently celebrating his
8th year as a mathematics educator. The 2011-12 school year marks Mr. Oswald's
5th year as a teacher at Norton High School, following three years of employment with Wadsworth City Schools. Mr. Oswald is an active member of the the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics [OCTM], and the Kent State University Alumni Association. [Email
Mr. Oswald] |
