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Directors

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Sam Ormson

Director

Sam Ormson is currently in his 21st year at Mountain View where he leads the Jazz Ensemble I, Chamber Orchestra, and collaboratively teaches three concert bands, the chamber music and leadership programs. Sam's dedication to music education extends beyond the classroom, as he actively serves as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the region, previously having served as a clinician at the American Band College, conductor of the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony, and adjunct professor of saxophone at Clark College. 

 

His concert bands, string orchestra, jazz band, percussion, and chamber ensembles have all performed on national stages, having performed at the Midwest Clinic, Music for All National Concert Band Festival, Music for All National Percussion Festival, National Chamber Music Festival, Western International Band Clinic, Tournament of Roses Parade, NAfME All-Northwest Convention, and the Washington Music Educators Association State Conference. Notably, the school gave the world high school premiere of Maslanka’s Symphony 9 in its entirety in 2015, was honored with the National Band Association Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence in 2017.

 

Throughout his career, Sam has had the privilege of performing and collaborating with esteemed artists such as the Count Basie Orchestra, David Maslanka, Wayne Bergeron, Gary Green, Jeff Coffin, the Calder Quartet, Patrick Sheridan, Bob Reynolds, and many others.

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As a clinician Sam has presented sessions at various conferences, including the American Band College, National Association for Music Education Northwest conference, Western International Band Clinic, Washington Music Educators conference, and Montana Music Educators conference.

 

Before becoming a high school band director, Sam pursued a successful career as a professional woodwind player for Carnival Cruise Lines, and has performed alongside renowned artists like O’Jays, Lou Rawls, Allen Vizzuti, and David Sanchez.

 

Beyond his professional achievements at Mountain View, Sam is a two-time Grammy Signature school award winner and the 2015 On-Point Community Credit Union teacher of the year. He holds an AA degree from Columbia Basin College, a BA degree from Central Washington University, an MA from the American Band College, National Board Certification in Music, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music Education from Boston University.

 

He shares his passion for music with his wife Carinn, who is also a music educator, and they have two sons, Jack and Henry.

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Mark Claassen

Director

Mark Claassen has  taught  band, jazz, orchestra, and percussion at Mountain View High School since 2018. 

 

His previous years of teaching have included experiences at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels in the Yakima(WA), Bellarmine(WA), and Evergreen(WA) school districts as well as Central Washington University(WA).  Under Mark's direction, his ensembles have consistently achieved high levels of success in all areas of instrumental music. His groups have performed multiple times at the Music For All National Band and Percussion Festival as well as performances at the Washington Music Educators State Conference. He has created a successful artist in residence program that includes collaborations with artists such as Anthony Maiello (George Mason University), Emeritus Professor Larry Gookin (Central Washington University), Dr. Robert Taylor (University of British Columbia), Emeritus Professor Robert Ponto (University of Oregon) and Patrick Sheridan (freelance tubist).

 

Claassen stays active as an adjudicator and performer, most recently performing as a featured soloist with the Seattle Wind Symphony and has performed as the principal saxophonist in the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony. He is a member of WMEA and has served as President for the Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association.

 

Claassen holds two Bachelor's Degrees and a Master's Degree from Central Washington University. 

 

Mark is married to his much better half, Kim Claassen, a high school choir teacher at Mountain View. Together they have two awesome kids, Hans and Silas, who make them laugh every single day.

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