Unless you are involved in the Northwest band, you might not know who Shawn Pfanstiel is.
Pfanstiel is the director of the Northwest marching band, concert band, jazz band, show band, and pep band. He is at school from early in the morning to late at night. For being as young as he is, he always pushes students to do their best. And no matter how hard it is, they always come back.
“He works the band hard, but it makes us better in the the long run. I love band! I always look forward to it in the morning. [Pfanstiel] is a very nice person and he always thinks of the band first,” said junior Elliott Kosmicki.
Pfanstiel grew up in McCook Nebraska. After high school he went to the University of Kearney, and then he student taught at Holdrege High School. In 2008, he started his first job as the band director at Northwest. Pfanstiel has always had a passion for music, which led him into the career of being a band director.
“Music has always come easy to me, I’ve always enjoyed it. And I have always enjoyed working with people as far as helping people understand new things. I really enjoy my job. There are not very many people that would want to wake up at 5:30 every morning to go work with one hundred high school kids.”
The Northwest marching band has recently concluded their 2013 marching season with all superior ratings and three first place ratings in parades they have participated in. Pfanstiel is very proud of the marching band and all the time and effort they have done.
“The reward is so great at the end knowing that in July we had nothing. Literally less then nothing. And that in October we are able to put together a cohesive musical performance. I’ve never been about the trophies. I mean the trophies are nice, and we have a lot of them. To me I have always been about the music. And making people enjoy what we do. I think we succeeded in that.”
Pfanstiel has made a difference in the lives of a lot of students.
“I think he is amazing. He always finds a way to have fun and get things done. Band easily has become my favorite activity, not only because of the students in band, but [because of] Mr. Pfanstiel as well. He is a huge role model for me and I could not ask for a better instructor,” freshman Lauren Gebhardt said.
The freshmen are just starting their journey of being part of the Northwest Band. The seniors have more to say.
“He has taught me a lot about music and has led to minor in music next year. But most importantly, he has helped me become a leader. I am very thankful for his wise words and will carry them with me throughout college and my adulthood,” said senior Victoria Goerl.
Pfanstiel would like to thank the leadership team, the administration, and the Music Boosters for the success of the band.
“I won’t take the credit. It’s all them. That, and lots of coffee.”
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