Elkhart Central has a wonderful music department. Participating in music related programs helps build discipline and responsibility. It also builds character and identity. We offer a variety of classes ranging from choir, band, and orchestra, and more.	Music Department

William Niederer wniederer@blueblazers.org

Mr. William (Bill) Niederer is Music Department Chair and Choral Director at ECHS, where he directs the Concert Choir, Ninth Grade Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, “Shades of Blue,” and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, as well as teaches Piano Keyboarding, Music Appreciation/History. and prepares vocalists for the annual school musical. Mr. Niederer has taught public school music in Indiana and Iowa since 1986, receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Indiana State University with voice and organ as principal instruments. He has done additional graduate coursework with vocal jazz arrangers Phil Mattson and Steve Zegree and classes at Ball State, Butler, Whitworth College, IUPUI, and Otterbein.

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Kyle Weirich kweirich@blueblazers.org

Kyle Weirich, Orchestra Director at ECHS, has previously taught instrumental music at East Noble High School and in the Knox Community Schools.  Mr. Weirich earned his Bachelor's degree at Western Michigan University and his Master's degree at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago.  At ECHS he teaches the Chamber Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra, as well as assisting with the orchestra program at Pierre Moran Middle School.

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Dan Burton dburton@blueblazers.org

Mr. Dan Burton teaches instrumental music (band) at Pierre Moran Middle School and at Central High School.  A veteran teacher, Mr. Burton has also taught in the Penn-Harris-Madison and the Center Grove school districts.  His degrees are from Ball State University and Southern Oregon University.  His “home” school is Pierre Moran Middle

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Sandra Carnall scarnall@blueblazers.org

Mrs. Sandra Carnall is Band Director at North Side Middle School as well as teaching the Color Guard and assisting in the band program at ECHS.  She is a Lead Teacher Trainer for Elkhart Community Schools focusing on staff development and assistance in classroom management strategies. Mrs. Carnall is a graduate of Ball State University with degrees in Music Education and Business. She also teaches private flute.  Her “home” school is North Side Middle.

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Tim Carnall tcarnall@blueblazers.org

Mr. Tim Carnall, Director of Bands at Elkhart Central, is a graduate of Ball State University. He has taught at ECHS for 11 years, having come to Elkhart after teaching at Miami Middle School and Wayne High School in Fort Wayne. At ECHS, Mr. Carnall conducts the Blazer Brigade Marching Band, the Jazz Ensemble, and Symphonic Band, as well as teaching Music Theory. Mr. Carnall also teaches part of his day at Pierre Moran Middle School and works with the elementary band program. He is currently completing on his Master’s degree at the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. An avid trumpet player, Mr. Carnall has played with the “Truth in Jazz” and teaches private lessons.
 

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Jeffery Hatfield jhatfield@blueblazers.org

Mr. Jeffery Hatfield, ECHS assistant orchestra director, is director of the orchestras at North Side Middle School , where he is also music department chair.  A veteran teacher, Mr. Hatfield is a graduate of Western Michigan University and also works with the ECS elementary orchestra program. His “home” school is North Side Middle.

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Jeanette Sagarsee jsagarsee@blueblazers.org

Mrs. Jeanette Sagarsee teaches Piano Keyboarding, assists with the Concert Choir, and directs the Blazer Chorale at ECHS.  She received her degree in music from Taylor University and previously taught in the John Glenn Community Schools.  She also teaches general music at Cleveland Elementary, although her “home” school is ECHS.
 

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Karen Hershberger khershberger@blueblazers.org

Mrs. Karen Hershberger, ECHS assistant orchestra director,  is music department chair and director of the orchestras at Pierre Moran Middle.  A veteran teacher, Mrs. Hershberger is a graduate of Goshen College and also works with the ECS elementary orchestra program. Her “home” school is Pierre Moran Middle.

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