Ben Jaeger is the band teacher at Vel Philips Memorial High School in Madison, WI, where he teaches four curricular bands and guitar. Together with his wife, Allison, who is also a music educator, Ben is a Dorm Supervisor for UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic, where they train and support 50+ college students and are responsible for the well-being of 900 middle and high school music students each summer. In 2017, he was invited to be the WSMA Middle Level State Honors tuba coach.
Ben has been a technology presenter three times for the Madison Metro School District and servces on the tech committee and faculty senate at VPMHS. He received the 2014 Teacher of the Year award from the Madison Area Music Association (MAMAs) and has also received several grants from Foundation for Madison Public Schools, Student Supported Funding, and the MAMAs for developing student music programs in the MMSD.
Mr. Jaeger actively composes for (and with) his student bands and writes for his own original rock band, Sunspot. They tour and record regularly, and have won several awards such as Best Hard Rock/Punk Song and Best Rock Album. He and his family live in Middleton, WI.
Email: bjaeger@madison.k12.wi.us
Congrats on being nominated to Phi Beta Mu!
I am writing on behalf of the PI Chapter (Wisconsin Chapter) of Phi Beta Mu. Phi Beta Mu is an International Professional Bandmasters Fraternity established nationally in 1938. Phi Beta Mu is dedicated to the recognition of the very best musician-instructor-teachers. Our Wisconsin Chapter has nominated and elected you (one of 5 statewide) to membership in our honorary organization this year.
Phi Beta Mu Wisconsin is a gathering of the finest music educators in our State. There are no mandatory projects or responsibilities beyond induction and attendance at an annual dinner/meeting that takes place during the Wisconsin Music Educators Convention in Madison in October. At the meeting, we interact, discuss, converse and share ideas and visions of our avocation on an informal level. There have been many state and regional events and other “gifts” that have evolved from the fertile conversations that have taken place at this meeting. Indeed, many friendships of a lasting quality have originated in our ranks both at a state and national level. We all feel it is a privilege and honor to be affiliated with Phi Beta Mu.
There is a need now, more than ever, for an organization of support, vision and leadership for bands and their conductors - a place where a common vision of the future of Wisconsin bands can be built, and place where our history will not be lost. Some of Wisconsin’s most distinguished bandmasters are or have been members of Phi Beta Mu – Ray Dvorak, Mike Leckrone, Mike George, Nick Contorno, Rick Kirby, Craig Hurst, Richard Fellenz and Lew Schmidt. Because of your dedication, experience, knowledge and gifts you have already given to your students and audiences, you are invited to be part of Phi Beta Mu.
If you decide to join Wisconsin Phi Beta Mu, we would love for you to join us at our annual meeting during the WSMA convention in Madison on Thursday, October 26, 2017.
The dinner meeting and induction ceremony will take place at 6:30 (there will be cocktails available at 5:30) at the Madison Hilton Hotel, adjacent to the Monona Center, in the LaFollette Room on the second floor, just off of the elevators. For new inductees, there is no additional charge for the dinner which will consist of a Garden Salad with Rolls and Butter, Stuffed Boursin-Mushroom Chicken, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables.
Congratulations on your selection to our Fraternity. We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our family.
The dues for an active membership in Phi Beat Mu is $19.00 per year ($12.00 for the National organization and $7.00 for the State Chapter).
Warmest Regards,
John Szcygiel
Executive Secretary
Phi Beta Mu – Pi Chapter