Michael Maschmeier Bio
Michael J. Maschmeier
Mr. Maschmeier enjoyed a varied military career and has traveled to 27 countries throughout the world while performing or doing combat operations. He served as euphonium and percussion instrumentalist with the Quantico Marine Band, Albany Marine Band, 1st Marine Division Band and the Commander Naval Forces Europe Band, Naples, Italy.
Michael is a born and raised Missourian. He grew up in House Springs and went to school in the Northwest R-1 School District graduating in 1988 from Northwest High School. After college (Central Methodist, Fayette MO) and following five years of teaching K-12 vocal and instrumental music in Missouri (Mendon, Clarksville and St. James 1992-1997), Michael wanted to serve his country and perform professionally more frequently. The pride and music performances the Marine Corps Bands offered appealed to him. He enlisted in June 1997 then attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California graduating Series Honor Man in August 1997.
Michael began conducting as Acting Enlisted Conductor with the 1st Marine Division Band in late 2005. He then deployed to Camp Fallujah Iraq with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, I MEF (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07, in July 2006. There he assumed duties as Platoon Sergeant and Convoy Commander of Hades Mobile, a multi-purpose security convoy. He led 143 missions throughout the Al Anbar Provence. It was during this deployment he was awarded both combat valor and the Purple Heart Medal.
Following redeployment to the states, then training at the School of Music, he became only the 12th Marine Musician to serve with the Navy NATO Band in Naples, Italy. He was selected as Enlisted Conductor (a Command Position) in February of 2009. He furthermore deployed as the Music Operations Coordinator aboard the Dutch ship HNLMS Johan de Witt (L801), the first non-American platform for the Africa Partnership Station missions spearheaded by the United States Navy. In this capacity, Michael coordinated with embassies of five African nations scheduling and playing in over 40 Rock Band performances, doing several television and radio interviews. Michael also spearheaded several music, conducting and drum majoring workshops with African military and civilian bands and musicians. In addition, while on this float, the ship passed over the 0/0 latitude/longitude lines below Ghana, and "Salmon" as Mr. Maschmeier was named, endured the "ceremony" and become an Emerald Shellback.
Following moving back to the states and further advanced training at the Navy School of Music, he began his first Marine Unit assignment as Enlisted Conductor with the 2D Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Cherry Point, North Carolina, in July of 2012. He then finished his career as Enlisted Conductor, performer and Unit Purchasing Officer for the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band, New Orleans, Louisiana. His military decorations include the Purple Heart, 5 Navy Achievement Medals with 1 Combat Distinguishing Device and he is most proud of his Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Gunnery Sergeant Maschmeier retired honorably from the Marine Corps on 30 June 2017.
This school year marks Mr. Maschmeier's fifth with the Marissa School District, and 14th year in public school teaching. Before Marissa he was the Westview Middle School Band Director with the Riverview Gardens School District in North St. Louis. His musical training includes receiving a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting, with specialties in composition and brass pedagogy, from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Edwardsville Illinois, in May 2019. Here he assisted Dr. John Bell in teaching 4 semesters of conducting to undergrads and was the Graduate Assistant for the Wind Ensemble and the University Band. He furthermore taught Low Brass techniques in the absence of the instructor. His Bachelor of Science in Music Education (Euphonium Major, Low Brass Specialist with minor in Percussion) Degree is from Central Methodist College (now University), Swinney Conservatory of Music, Fayette Missouri, graduating in May 1992. His military musical training includes the Unit Leader Course and Senior Musician Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mr. Maschmeier is an active composer and arranger with his company Warrior Musician, LLC. He is a KISS (rock band in make up) Super-fan and Collector, a recumbent cyclist and enjoys woodworking and exploring National and State Parks with his beautiful bride. Mike is a new Mason (third degree), holds memberships in the Marine Corps League, the Conductors Guild, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Professional Music Fraternity), Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, National Association for Music Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Illinois Music Education Association, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church in O’Fallon IL. He is married (34 years) to the former Miss Rebecca Woods of Elsberry, MO and they have three grown children, a son in law, daughter in law, two granddaughters, two dogs and an Italian cat (but that's another story).