Director of Instrumental Music
William J. Schmidt
William J. Schmidt is the Director of Instrumental Music at St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, North Dakota. A graduate of Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota, he has taught at St. Mary's for 29 years. Mr. Schmidt directs the Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, and "Marching Saints".
In 1989, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce selected Mr. Schmidt to receive the "Crystal Apple Award" for Excellence in Education - Teacher of the Year. He was also the recipient of the "1990 Catholic High School Educator of the Year Award" as selected by the Catholic School Administrators Association of the Diocese of Bismarck. He has received the "Citation of Excellence" award from the National Band Association and is a member of the "Legion of Honor" sponsored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in December 1998. Schmidt was named a "Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar" for travel to Japan for a month of study in October, 1998.
Mr. Schmidt has served as the Principal Trombonist with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. He presently conducts and performs with the Bill Schmidt Big Band and is the trombonist with Doc Lindelow's Dixieland Chamber Orchestra.
Since 1987, Schmidt has served as a guest conductor at the International Music Camp. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor throughout the upper midwest and Saskatchewan.
Schmidt is past president of the North Dakota International Association of Jazz Educators and of the North Dakota National Band Association. He is presently the Auditions and Finance Manager of the North Dakota All-State Band, Choirs, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, National Catholic Band Directors Association, International Association of Jazz Educators and the National Band Association.
