Dr. Donald K. Moely

Present Director

St. Joseph Municipal Band

Dr. Moely is completing his 21th season as Director of the St. Joseph Municipal Band this summer. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and began his teaching career in Kenosha Wisconsin at both the junior and senior high level. He later received his Masters and PhD. Degrees in Music Education from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Dr. Moely was then appointed to the Director of Bands position at Winona State University, in Winona, Minnesota. During his term there, he developed the Symphonic Band and organized several recruitment band tours throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. He later moved to take the Chairman of the Music Department, and Director of Bands position at Lake Michigan College, where he directed the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Show Choir, taught brass lessons and piano classes in the electronic keyboard lab. While teaching at the college, Dr. Moely received several outstanding commendation awards for his leadership in the college’s music program. During his work there Dr. and Mrs. Moely received the Bernard Radde Award given annually by the College Board of Trustees to outstanding contributors to the development of Lake Michigan College. He directed a European music tour featuring the college’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Show Choir. Dr. Moely continued his post Doctorate studies in trumpet and music education administration at North Texas State University, and in trumpet and orchestral conducting at the Mozarteum in Salzburg Austria during his sabbatical. He has retired from teaching in Michigan and is presently a choral director for the South Bend Public Schools. Dr. and Mrs. Moely are the parents of a daughter and son presently living in Illinois and Indiana.

When asked about any particular thoughts about the St. Joseph Municipal Band Dr Moely said the following:

"It is a great honor to be the director of this fine group of musicians. Their dedication to serve the St. Joseph audiences with two concerts each Sunday and holidays during the summer at the John E. N. Howard band shell is phenomenal. I strive to keep the successful variety of programming, the high professional, musical standards that were set for this community’s tax based band by my predecessor, John E. N. Howard. (for which the band shell is named). I felt privileged to have played trumpet in his band for many of his record 40 year tenure with the band before his retirement after the 1987 season. We get compliments from people ranging from California to Florida to Arizona and even Chicago, who tell us this band, its quality, its programming and its setting of performing in the John E. N. Howard Band Shell overlooking the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan is miraculous. It’s a beautiful combination and is truly thrilling for me, the musicians and the audiences each week, to coordinate all the talent to serve the community by performing to full audiences week after week each summer. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to continue the great tradition."

Last updated on 07/16/2008