Nick Mason - Marching Band Director

Nick Mason joined the Alexandria School District in the fall of 2022, and is proud to continue the legacy of musical excellence in Alexandria. Nick's responsibilities at Alexandria include directing the Viking Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, Athletic Band, and the Alexandria Marching Band. He also teaches one section of Sound Production and Music Technology and works with students in individual wind and percussion lessons. 

Prior to his appointment at AAHS, Nick served six years as the 6-12 Instrumental Music Educator at New London-Spicer Schools and one year at Central Middle School in White Bear Lake where he taught students in 6th and 7th grade Band and General Music.  

Nick has served in various leadership positions around the state, including as Chair of the AAHS Music Department and as the State Honor Jazz Band Co-Chair for the Minnesota Band Directors Association. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, Minnesota Music Educators Association, and Minnesota Band Directors Association. 

When not in the music wing, you can find Nick playing the latest Final Fantasy, practicing new cooking recipes in the kitchen, or attending any arts events in the Alexandria and greater Minnesota communities. Nick currently lives in Willmar with his partner, Anna, and pets Luna (dog) and Katara (cat).

Matthew Pasch - Assistant Marching Band Director

Matthew Pasch is a recent graduate of North Dakota State University, where he earned his degree in Music Education. At NDSU Pasch performed with many different ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, and Horn Quartet. He spent 5 years within the Gold Star Marching Band, two of those as a drum major. After graduation he continued working with the GSMB as a Drum Major Tech. Pasch performs with the Central Lakes Symphony on Timpani and French Horn and the Hot Tub Brass Quintet on French Horn. In his free time he enjoys playing games, watching shows, and jamming out with his friends. Pasch now teaches middle school concert band and jazz band at Discovery Middle School. He also serves as an Assistant Director for the Marching and Pep Bands at Alexandria Area High School.

Derek Ziemer - Drumline

Originally from St.Cloud, MN, Derek Ziemer joined the Alexandria Public School's Band Department in 2016. Derek attended the University of Minnesota - Morris, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education in May of 2014.

Derek currently teaches at Discovery Middle School and the Alexandria Area High school. Derek is in his second year with District 206 and splits his time between the middle and high school. Derek directs the 7th Grade Viking and Cardinal Bands, along with the Viking and Runestone bands at the Alexandria Area High School. He is also the Director of Jazz Ensembles at AAHS.

Before Derek started teaching in Alexandria, he taught for two years in the Brandon-Evansville School District teaching K-6 music and 5 - 12 Band. Derek is also an active performer in the Alexandria Area and around the state; most notably as a Bassoonist in the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra(CLSO) and Alto Saxophone in the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Ziemer is also a member of MENC, MMEA, MBDA, and serves as the NWMBDA Vice-President and Jazz Ensemble Chair. 

Sarah Spieker - Head Color Guard Instructor

Honor Guard Instructor

Evan Huebner - Videographer