At the FHSD board meeting on May 19th, Dr. Ryan Curtis was selected to replace Robert Stegeman as FHN’s new band director. Dr. Curtis is currently professor of music at Lindenwood University and has been teaching for 20 years. He has also been director of bands at Parkway West and St. Charles High School as well as assistant band director at Fort Zumwalt North. 

“[FHN’s] got a history of having a good band program and I’m honored to step in and help with that and continue that tradition,” Curtis said. 

After six years of being band director at North, Stegeman has decided to take on a new job at Fort Zumwalt West as their band director. His decision to leave was influenced by location as well as new opportunities. He is looking forward to seeing what Dr. Curtis will bring to his position. 

“It’s the perfect opportunity for a band director transition because we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and rebuild from COVID,” Stegeman said. “I think that he is a very positive, very organized and a very driven person. And I think that he’s not only going to continue the traditions and the excellence that we’ve had here, but I think that he’s going to further foster growth not just here but at our feeder middle schools too.”

The job of a band director consists of running the band program, raising money, hiring staff and having no off season. As a part of the new transition, Dr. Curtis hopes to encourage participation in the feeder middle schools that will in turn provide new faces to the FHN band program. 

“One of the big things is just trying to increase enrollment in band at the middle school level,” Dr. Curtis said. “I help with the middle school directors so hopefully we’ll continue to increase it at the high school level.”

His son, Brendan Curtis, is a member of the North marching band and will be learning under his father. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing where my dad will take us with this band program,” Brendan said. “I’m looking forward to the change.”

Dr. Curtis makes his official start as band director in late July.

“He’s a fantastic musician, great conductor and a great teacher,” Stegeman said. “He’s really got it all. He’s very kid focused, which is what the world needs for teachers right now. And I just see great things with him being here.”