Milaca Public Schools
500 Highway 23 West
Milaca, MN 56353
Andrew Nelson

Andrew Eric Nelson is a 1988 graduate of Litchfield High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the 1987 MMEA All-State Band.  He was a high school recipient of the John Philip Sousa Award, as well as the National School Choral Award and the United States Marines Semper Fidelis Bandman award.  Mr. Nelson received his Bachelor of Science Degree Summa Cum Laude from St. Cloud State University in 1993, and His Masters Degree in Education from St. Mary’s University in 2004.  Active in the Music-Education field, he is a member of the Minnesota Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and a past president of the Central Minnesota Band Directors Association.   In 2007 Mr. Nelson was awarded Milaca “Community Member of the Year”, and in 2014 he was a Semi-Finalist for the Education Minnesota Teacher of the Year.   In 2019 Mr. Nelson was awarded the Minnesota VFW SMART/MAHER National Citizenship Education Teacher Award of the year for his work with the Milaca Public Schools Veterans Day Concert.   Mr. Nelson has twice conducted bands at the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic and in 1998 his Marching Band at Blaine High School performed a halftime show for the Minnesota Vikings.  In addition to his instructional duties as director of bands at Milaca High School, Mr. Nelson serves as an active adjudicator with the Minnesota State High School League and the Tri-State Band Judging Association.  Mr. Nelson lives in Foreston with his wife Christine and daughters Natalie and Nicole.

8th Grade Band
This bands performances are limited to two band concerts per year. Curriculum is designed around lesson book study, theory skills and concert music preparation/performance. 8th Grade band students do not participate in pep band or MSHSL Contest events.
Concert Band
Members of the band program who do not choose to audition for symphonic band, or who need additional musical growth will be placed in the concert band. This band also shares high standards of performance, and will participate at MSHSL large group contest. Concert Band members may elect to participate at solo and ensemble contest as well.
Symphonic Band
Membership in the symphonic band is determined by a students musical progress throughout the school year. The band director will also take into consideration the students past commitment to the band program, dedication to lessons, marching and pep band, attendance etc. In some cases, audition material may be distributed. Instrumentation in Symphonic Band is designated by the director. Students in Symphonic Band will be encouraged to perform at solo and ensemble contest. The Symphonic Band also takes part in MSHSL large group contest. Members of the Symphonic Band are eligible to be selected to the All-Conference Band.