Alexander M.

Keim

Band/Choir Director & Percussionist

alexmkeim@gmail.com
(219) 851-1779

Professional Career Highlights

Experience

Assistant Band Director (6th-12th Grades), Choir Director (6th-12th Grades), General Music
Teacher (6th, 8th Grades), and Winter Drumline Pit Technician

Educational
Compositions

Finger Twisters for Beginning Band (2014-2015)

African Bell Carol Expanded Percussion Parts (2010 & again 2014)

Recent Student
Achievements
(2013-2015)

All-Band Award & Marching Band Semi-State Finalist both years

Band Solo and Ensemble (Percussion) 7 Gold, 2 State Gold, 1 State Silver Ratings
IMEA All-State Choirs (High and Middle Schools) 1 Participant, 2 Alternates
Vocal Solo and Ensemble 10 Gold, 13 Silver, 4 Bronze, 5 State Gold Ratings
Choir Festivals (Vocal Jazz & Concert) 3 Gold, 3 Silver Ratings

Professional Teaching Experience

Choir Director
2015 present
North Putnam Middle & High Schools (Roachdale, Indiana)
Direct 230 students (180 in the middle school and 50 in the high school) from 6th-12th grades and coordinate
all activities for an active choir program. Activities include four yearly concerts, ISSMA contests for both
middle and high schools, jazz choir, multiple fundraisers, singing the national anthem at Pacers basketball and
Indians baseball games, ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest, IMEA Circle the State with Song Festival, and a
yearly Holiday World trip. In addition, teach all music and conduct all shows for the spring musical, The
Wizard of Oz.
Assistant Band Director, Choir Director, & General Music Teacher
2013 2015
North Harrison Middle & High Schools (Ramsey, Indiana)
Assist all functions of the band program, including marching band, pep band, middle school bands, and
general administration. Direct and coordinate all activities for the choir program divided into three levels.
Also, teach general music to all sixth graders and a small amount of eighth graders.
Challenge:

To expand upon the success of an established band program and to build up and manage the
choir program.

Action:

Design educational tools, such as finger twisters, and compositions to help learn instrumental
technique and develop music appreciation, collaboratively create successful marching band
shows as a staff, privately teach six percussion students, and assess student progress through use
of recorders to maximize classroom instructional time. In addition, inventory all
instruments/organize all percussion equipment for both buildings and manage a skating party
for sixth graders to boost retention.
Challenge students to sing in 4-parts for the first time, institute a sight-reading curriculum, and
introduce ISSMA and IMEA festivals into the choirs yearly activities.

Results:

85% of beginning band went on to next level; doubled the middle school choir.
Facilitated student excitement and passion for music literature in performing arts classes.
Created a positive rapport with all students.
Numerous ISSMA Gold/Silver ratings for both programs, an All-Band Award, and a
Marching Band Semi-State finalist both years.
Numerous ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble Gold ratings.
Rated as highly effective for the 2014-2015 school year.

Portfolio available for viewing on my website: alexandermkeim.weebly.com

Alexander M. Keim

Page 2

Education & Certification

Valparaiso University Bachelor of Music Education
2007 - 2011
Honors & Awards:
Lumina Scholar Graduated Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.926)
Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society
Performed a full length Marimba Concerto with the University Chamber-Concert Band
Certification: Indiana Proficient Practitioner, Music (Instrumental, Vocal, and General) K-12

Other Teaching Experience

Pit Technician
2015 present
Danville High School Winter Drumline (Danville, Indiana)
Teach all aspects of percussion playing to a 10-member pit, including three marimbas, two vibes, two
synthesizers, two auxiliary, and a drum-set. Run and manage full ensemble rehearsals with the full 19-member
drumline. In addition, collaboratively develop and revise show design and overall effect.
Challenge: To perform at a high level with a pit primarily made of non-percussionists and to guide the
entire drumline to succeed in Class A after being Class B champions last year.
Action:

Focus on technique and musicality, maintain high standards for developing playing ability,
consistently praise and reinforce students, and team-build as much as possible.

Results:

IPA Percussion State Final Participant (PSA Class).

Quickly developed respect and a positive atmosphere with students.
Positive judge comments, often highlighting the pits musicianship and technique.
Consistently over-achieved in music captions.

Substitute Teacher
Macomb C.U.S.D. #185 (Macomb, Illinois) & Bushnell-PC C.U.S.D. #170 (Bushnell, Illinois)

2011 2012

Student Teacher
Summer/Fall
Crown Point High School (Crown Point, Indiana)
2010
Teach full-spectrum of band curriculum to a program made of around 150 students out of a 2,600-student
public high school. Lead three levels of concert band (freshmen, intermediate, and advanced), co-teach jazz
band, help with a history of rock and roll course, and assist with the entire marching band season.

Professional Affiliations
Indiana Bandmasters Association
American Choral Directors Association (attended 2014 Indiana Summer Conference)

2014 present
2013 present

National Association for Music Education (attended 2015 and 2016 Indiana Conferences)

2012 present

Related Experiences
Performance History (Percussion):
Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra
IUS Southeast Concert Band
Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra
Macomb Municipal Band
Windiana Concert Band
La Porte County Symphony Orchestra

Music Compositions Written & Performed:

Jingle Bell Overture
Rhapsody on the Hymn-Tune Slane
(for any instrumentation)
Fantasia on To The Colors
Hibernation
Dissidence