STAFF BIOS

MR. TODD SHAFER – DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Todd Shafer was hired into the Instrumental Music Department staff in the fall of 2001, after finishing his degree at the University of Michigan in Tuba Performance/ Music Education. From his hiring, he spent 13 years under the mentorship of the past Director of Fine Arts, the highly awarded/recognized Ronald “Buddy” Bibeault. After Mr. Bibeault’s retirement in 2014, Todd was named the Director of Instrumental Music.

During his tenure, Todd has received numerous gold medals for his middle school jazz band and 7th and 8th grade concert bands, and high school wind ensemble at state festivals which have included performances in historic Symphony Hall in Boston and Mechanics Hall in Worcester as part of the “Gold Medal Showcase”. Each year, numerous students from his 7th and 8th grade band were chosen, as well as his current high school students, to participate in the Central District Concert Festival, which consists of ensembles made up of select musicians from all over central MA. Starting in 2011, Todd took over as the High School Marching Band Director and has continued the strong tradition of excellence receiving gold medals in his first three years at both the Massachusetts Instrumental, Choral Conductor’s Association (MICCA) Festival, and at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Festival, where the band was crowned Division 5 Champions in 2013, winning all caption awards. Also in the 2013 season, the Charger marching band won Division A at the Towson University “Bands of America” Regional Championship.  The BMR Marching Band has been crowned UsBands Division IV Open National Champions in 2015, 2016, and 2019.