After years of halftime shows, bonding events, and competitions across the country, the Millard North Band Department will say a heavy-hearted goodbye to the person who made it all possible. Band Director Ryan Placek has stood at the podium for over 13 years, orchestrating each performance with heart and passion.
Placek will be retiring from Millard North at the end of this school year. However, his legacy, laughter, and positivity will never be forgotten. His dedication is clear in the nine awards he’s taken home in his band career, and students are no exception to understanding his commitment.
“The type of students we have here are very committed and dedicated. They want to be challenged, and I think with the support from administration, our program has been able to suceed,” Placek said.
Junior Angela Cui has been involved in band since her freshman year, and feels that Placek has helped her become a better flute player and person as a whole.
“I felt very sad when I found out that Mr. Placek was leaving. He’s an amazing director. You can tell that he puts all of his time and effort into making the band better, both as a music ensemble and as a community, and I’m grateful for all the sacrifices he’s made for us,” Cui said.
In all of Placek’s years here in the various band departments, he has interacted with countless students of various backgrounds and has elicited considerable growth in the program.
“For me personally, being in the Wind Symphony, my peers and I have had a tremendous amount of support under his direction, in which we have grown, not only as musicians, but as individuals. The impact that Mr. Placek has had on us extends beyond the band room and is tangible in our everyday lives,” junior Anagha Vemmelesseril said.
Over the years, the classroom has become a two-way street for inspiring mutual connections and growth. The energy and humor his students bring have helped fuel Placek’s continued passion to work with young adults.
“The students’ energy energizes me. No matter what kind of mood I come to work in, the kids are going to put me in a good mood. Somebody’s going to make me laugh or something funny is going to happen, and so leaving this joy is going to be tough at first,” Placek said.
Even though the band members are saddened about Placek’s departure, enthusiasm about the band’s future is evident throughout the student body.
“I’m excited! Even though I’ll miss Mr. Placek, he deserves to rest, and change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If anything, I’m looking forward to seeing what our new director will implement,” Cui said.
Mathis has been a part of the Millard North band community for 12 years, assisting Placek in building the program and their community.
“Mr. Mathis is just as dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic, and I don’t have any worries about next year despite the big change,” Cui said.
Placek is confident that the band will continue to achieve great things in the future, regardless of his absence.
“I feel like I am leaving things in a great position. I think the kids are being challenged more, and they are performing at a much higher level than they were when I first got here. It’s totally up to [Mr. Mathis] where he wants to go with it. The possibilities are limitless,” Placek said.
Vemmelesseril has high hopes for the band, and believes they will continue to succeed in the upcoming years.
“Under the direction of Mr. Mathis, I believe that we as a band will be able to reach new heights and push ourselves to a new standard of excellence. For the entire Millard North band, we are excited to see what lies ahead and the various ways in which we will grow,” Vemmelesseril said.
As the baton passes to the new director, Placek’s impact on MN band will never be forgotten. The band will continue to achieve great things with the guidance of Mathis. Even though Placek is moving on, it’s never a final goodbye, it’s only a standing ovation.