Monte Mast Joins the Northwest Youth Music Association
We are thrilled to announce Monte Mast as a Senior Executive Advisor to the Northwest Youth Music Association and the performing organizations under the umbrella of NYMA.
Monte recently retired from the position of Executive Director of The Cavaliers AP&E, Inc (CAPE), the parent organization of seven-time DCI Champion Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, Chromium Winds, King Cobras Drumline, and GearWorks Educational Programs located in Rosemont, IL. He joined CAPE in the summer of 2019 and successfully guided the organization through the pandemic by writing over $950,000 in recovery grants.
CAPE ensembles presented or performed at national conferences including Midwest Clinic, Percussive Arts Society International Clinic, Texas Music Educators Association, and Bands of America Grand Nationals during his tenure. While part of CAPE, Monte served on DCI’s Audit and Competition committees and is the current chair of the Membership Affairs Committee.
“When Mike Leone and Brian Fisher discovered that I was planning to move to Oregon, they expressed interest in having me join NYMA in some capacity. Over the past year, as my move became imminent, they have shared their passion, goals for the organization, and the strong foundation that has been built for the Seattle Cascades & Northwest Youth Music Association.” - Monte
Prior to joining The Cavaliers, Monte Mast spent 12 years as the Director of Fine Arts for the 50,000+ student Klein Independent School District in Klein, Texas where he oversaw the band, orchestra, choral, elementary music, theatre arts, dance, and visual art programs for the district’s 5 high schools, 10 intermediates, and 31 elementaries.
Prior to this appointment in June 2007, Monte held the position Fine Arts Program Coordinator in Klein ISD and was a Band Director at Klein Oak HS. He also has taught at Calallen ISD and Coventry Local (OH).
“Given my extensive background and connections within both the drum corps and music education communities, I believe I can contribute significantly to helping NYMA strengthen its position as a leader and partner with music educators in the Pacific Northwest.” - Monte
During his tenure as Director of Fine Arts, ensembles from Klein ISD were invited to perform at TMEA 12 times, the Midwest Clinic 7 times, the Music for All National Festival 8 times and Klein ISD was named a Best Community for Music by the NAMM Foundation 11 times. Monte has given presentations on diverse topics including how to get a teaching job, standards based fine arts grading, instrument evaluation, student motivation, school bond planning, effective presentation techniques and marching band adjudication.
Monte has been a member of and/or has made presentations to the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Administrators Conference, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Art Educators Association, and the Midwest Clinic and was named the Texas Music Administrators Conference 2018 Administrator of the Year.
“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with the board of directors and the staff of both NYMA and the Seattle Cascades to make a positive impact on music and music education in my new home.” - Monte
Whether as a performer, staff member, designer or judge, Monte’s marching arts experiences have been important parts of shaping his career. His time in the Bluecoats and Phantom Regiment Drum Corps led him into becoming the primary visual designer for more than a dozen bands in Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas. He spent three years as a member of the Phantom Regiment brass instructional staff and was instructing the corps in 1996 when they won their first DCI title.
He judged indoor guards for the Texas Color Guard Circuit for ten years including four championship panels. Between drum corps and marching band, he has judged contests in 40 states including state championships in twelve. Monte judged for Drum Corps International for almost 20 years serving on six championship panels and is a requested adjudicator, clinician, and presenter throughout the U.S.
Monte recently relocated to Lafayette, Oregon with his wife Karen. His son Garrett graduated from Brigham Young University this past spring and his daughter Julianne will be a freshman Music Education major at the University of Oregon where she is a member of the marching band.
By moving to Oregon, Monte was able to turn his passion for wine into another failed attempt at retirement where he is now a tasting room associate at Balsall Creek Winery in Newberg, Oregon.
“After dedicating my entire career to music education and drum corps, I am eager to promote NYMA’s vision and support its growth to inspire even more lives.” - Monte