David M. Valasek has pursued and achieved a rich blend of classroom music teaching, professional performance, conducting, and musical mentoring. He has led an eclectic variety of music ensembles, from classically trained baroque-style orchestras and Broadway-style musical productions, to a calypso-oriented steel drum band. His “students” have ranged from age 8 to 83. With every group he has directed he has taken his life’s motto to “take it to the next level” in pursuit of musical excellence.
Currently, Mr. Valasek is dividing his time on several projects. The most fun and rewarding is leading and playing drums for the band: Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester.
A second endeavor involves developing a website DMVmusic.net , where he can share percussion compositions by himself and some of his lifetime friends and colleagues.
Finally, (and entirely unrelated to music) a venture into the business world involves his other company: It’s About Vine winery tours in Petoskey, Michigan.
You can visit that website here: petoskeywinerytours.com
From 2009-2018, Mr Valasek was the band director at Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw, Michigan. During that time he also served as J.V. and Varsity baseball coach. Prior to his tenure at Nouvel, he served as adjunct faculty at Saginaw Valley State University, teaching undergraduate music courses, percussion lessons and ensemble, and assisting with the Cardinal Marching Band while pursuing a Specialist degree in educational administration. From 2001- 2007, Mr. Valasek taught Middle School band in the Saginaw (MI) Public School District.
In the 1990’s, he served a 10-year tenure as Instrumental Music Director in the Saginaw Township Community Schools where his String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band received highest honors at Michigan School Band & Orchestra festivals. In addition, the Jazz Band won 1st place at the prestigious Central Michigan University Jazz Weekend and accepted an invitation to perform at the Ford Montreux/Detroit Jazz Festival. Under his leadership, the Heritage High School Marching Band made multiple appearances in the Michigan Competing Band Association State Finals at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Mr. Valasek holds a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where he also earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He studied percussion with Robert Hohner.
He has published work in multicultural music education, has arranged music and drill for marching band, competitive drumline, and percussion ensemble, and is an active member and adjudicator in a wide range of music professional organizations.
Valasek has performed extensively, too, as xylophone soloist, percussionist and timpanist with concert bands and symphony orchestras, as well as with the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, a nationally recognized touring and recording group.
In 2002 he founded the PanCATS steel drum band. In a short time the PanCATs achieved an impressive performance resume! The PanCATs, were originally based at Handley School in Saginaw and consisted of performers from 3rd through 8th grade.
For 19 years, Mr. Valasek served as music director of the Saginaw Area Concert Band, the official community band of the city of Saginaw. The mission there was to offer performance opportunities for amateur musicians and take those performances into the community, especially reaching out to those who cannot attend concerts at the usual venues. In 2004, the SACB was recognized by the Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission as a non-profit organization having made a significant contribution to the community’s “quality of life”.
Outside of music he enjoys outdoor activities including running, biking, and boating. He completed his first marathon in 2009 and has since run several more.
Mr. Valasek has successfully formed bridges between musicians young and old, and between artists and corporate and civic patrons. He’s done all that while keeping the beat that has always drawn him to music and those whose passion it has become. He says “my whole life, I have been surrounded by people who have shared and encouraged my enthusiasm for music. To my family, teachers, and students, I owe my sincerest gratitude.”
