Ben Petrmichl lives and breathes band, from first sitting in his own elementary music class to now leading the Elkhorn North bands. He is dedicated to his passion and fosters the same love for music in his students.
“Music always came really naturally to me,” Petrmichl said. “I grew up with a good foundation in music, and I had great teachers that really instilled a passion in me.”
For three years, Petrmichl served as the Elkhorn North assistant band director under head band director Matt Rom. He worked part-time at Elkhorn North and full-time as the band and orchestra director at Morton Middle School. This year he has taken on the role of head band director, so he is in charge of marching band, concert band, campus band, and pep band.
On top of all these responsibilities, his afternoons are spent working at both Grandview Middle School and North Ridge Middle School as the instrumental teacher and the band director.
Petrmichl’s commitment to Elkhorn schools began as a student with his participation in the Elkhorn Middle School band. He continued his passion at Elkhorn High School and even to the collegiate level where he was the baritone section leader for University of Nebraska at Lincoln. During this time, he also took part in Friday Night Pep Bands and The UNL Tuba Euphonium.
Two of Petrmichl’s band teachers went on to become his colleagues. When he travels to Elkhorn Grandview Middle School, he helps Christopher Johnson, his former middle school band director. When he was assistant band director at Elkhorn North, he worked alongside Matthew Rom, his own high school band teacher. When Rom took a position at Papillion La Vista South High School, Petrmichl was the obvious candidate for his lead.
“It’s the easiest transition I could ever have, because nothing has really changed,” Petrmichl said.
For students, the biggest challenge is getting used to calling him “Petrmichl” and not “Ben.”
“Once you’ve referred to someone so casually and informally for years, it’s pretty hard to get out of that and back into teacher mode,” senior band student Ava Kloster said.
In his time already as director, he managed the uniform fittings, put together a set up crew, organized the trailer, and created bus lists.
Petrmichl is nothing short of qualified and is looking forward to a successful year for all his bands.
“I’m really excited to get our marching band show on the field,” Petrmichl said. “I can’t wait to see how the show is going to develop and I know the kids are excited too.”
