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M. Joseph Fischer
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Biography |
Mr. M. Joseph Fischer, a native of Maryland, has conducted the band program at Mt. Hebron High school since January of 2019, where he conducts three concert bands, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, jazz combo and the MtH marching unit . Prior to his appointment at Mt. Hebron, Mr. Fischer was the band director at Ellicott Mills Middle School in Ellicott City, MD and River Hill High School in Clarkville, MD, Instrumental Music Director at Liberty High School in Eldersburg, MD and the Director of Bands at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, MD. Under his direction, his music programs have garnered many accolades including superior ratings at local, regional, and national festivals, selection as a demonstration group with his brass quintet, jazz ensemble and wind ensemble at the Maryland Music Educators’ Association Annual Conference, recognition as a Grammy Signature School, and invitations to perform at prestigious events including the Music for All National Festival, the 2008 pre-Olympic Festival in Beijing, China and on-stage at the Joseph M. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. In addition to his efforts as band director, Mr. Fischer was also instrumental in the creation of River Hill’s state-of-the-art music technology lab, which allows students to express their creativity through music arranging, composition, recording and music theory.
Mr. Fischer knew from an early age that he wanted to be a music teacher. To that end, he pursued an eclectic mix of performing and educational opportunities and finally made that dream a reality. Mr. Fischer earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he majored in trumpet with a further concentration in percussion. He has studied jazz with Chris Vadala, trumpet with Emerson Head and Timothy White, percussion with Michael Gatti, and conducting with Emerson Head, John Wakefield, Sheldon Bair, and Dana Rothlisberger. Mr. Fischer sang in the all-male a Capella group, “The Generics,” marched and taught drum and bugle corps, and conducted numerous musicals. Mr. Fischer earned a master’s degree in music education from Towson University, where he focused on conducting and band repertoire. He continued his studies at McDaniel College where he earned Administrator I certification. One of Mr. Fischer’s favorite experiences was marching in the Drum Corps International World Championships with the eleven-time world champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He also loves theater and has enjoyed performing and conducting musicals, including Little Shop of Horrors, Pippin, 1940’s Radio Hour, Cinderella, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, The Music Man, Thoroughly Modern Millie!, and West Side Story (his all-time favorite). Mr. Fischer has been recognized for his work as a music educator, most recently being named one of “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” in the December 2007 issue of School Band and Orchestra Magazine. The Maryland Music Educator’s Association designated Mr. Fischer an Outstanding Music Teacher in 2007, an honor that followed his being named the 2006 Howard County Music Educator of the Year. In additional to his duties at Ellicott Mills, Mr. Fischer remains active as both a teacher and adjudicator throughout the Maryland region. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at McDaniel College and remains active in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), the Maryland Band Directors Association (MBDA), the Jazz Educators Network (JEN), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and the International Trumpet Guild (ITG). Through his involvement with MMEA and MBDA, Mr. Fischer has served as the coordinator for both the Maryland Jazz Festival and the All State Jazz Ensemble. He is also a founding member of the Music Advocates of Carroll County, which seeks to promote music as part of a balanced education and to offer support to music teachers as they advocate for strong programs in their schools. Mr. Fischer resides in Sykesville, Maryland with his wife Maggie and two daughters Cassie and Ellie. |
