Hastings Marching Band Director Emily Chandler was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Youth in Music group. Here is the press release.
Congratulations to Emily Chandler, the Marching Band Director at Hastings High School, for being selected as the 2024 Butch Dufault YIMMY Hall of Fame Recipient. This honor is decided by 23 Hall of Fame Peers on a yearly basis and considered to be a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 20 years of Youth in Music, the Hastings Marching Raiders under the direction of Ms. Chandler have participated for 18 years. Throughout this window of time the Hastings Band has progressed from participant to multi time State and Class Champion. They are known for their creative programming and high execution of their shows.
Emily Chandler directs the Hastings High School Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band and teaches instrumental lessons. She also teaches sixth through eighth grade lessons at Hastings Middle School. Before coming to Hastings High School, Emily was the founder and director of the 5-8 band program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, also teaching K-5 general music and K-8 liturgical music.
Emily has been the Raiders Marching Band director since 2001. During her tenure, the marching band has toured across the country including places like the Traverse City MI National Cherry Festival, Bristol RI fourth of July Festival, and the Greeley Co Stampede Festival. In addition to parade band, the Raiders have participated in field show competitions for over 3 decades, earning the Youth In Music MN State Championship 7 of the last 11 years in both class A and AA, and have won multiple caption awards in percussion, winds, color guard, and visuals. Emily founded a leadership program with the Raiders marching band that inspires a culture of compassion, excellence, and a community of acceptance in the bands. Cultivating a love for band inside and outside the classroom, Emily strives to help students get 1% better each time they play their instrument. Emily attributes the band’s success to the dedicated and talented marching band staff she works with every day. They have been a consistent team for almost 20 years. Emily says, “it takes a team of the finest educators, who put students first, to achieve greatness.”
Emily Chandler graduated with honors from Winona State University in 1999, and earned a Master of Education with honors from Saint Mary’s University in 2004. Emily enjoys coaching softball at Hastings High School, coaching volleyball at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, and being the Athletic Director at SEAS. As an active member of MBDA (Minnesota Band Directors Association), Emily has held multiple leadership roles in the Southeast Honor Band Program, including coordinator, guest conductor, and clinician. Her favorite role is being a supportive mom to daughters Madelyn and Amelia and going where all of their shenanigans take them.
We will celebrate this honor at YIM on October 12 at 4:45pm in front of the live crowd.
Join us in congratulating Emily Chandler, Director of the Hastings High School Marching Raiders!