Solorsano Band Director, Mr. Aaron Shemas: aaron.shemas@gilroyunified.org
Aaron Shemas joined the GUSD Band Team in fall of 2020 as Director of Bands at Brownell Middle School and Ascension Solorsano Middle School, as well as an Associate Director of Bands at Christopher High School.
Mr. Shemas is a native of Ohio and graduate of Dublin-Coffman High School in the Columbus Metro. Prior to coming to Gilroy, Mr. Shemas taught in both New Mexico and Texas, producing highly successful ensembles. Bands under Mr. Shemas’ direction have shown exponential growth and constantly earned superior ratings and "Sweepstakes" in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and NMMEA Music Performance Assessments.
An accomplished clarinetist, Mr. Shemas has also performed in orchestral, chamber, and wind ensembles, as well as a soloist, in various collegiate, community, and professional ensembles across the United States. His experiences include performances at the College Band Directors National Association Conferences, numerous music festivals, and the 2018 Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago as part of The Woodlands Concert Band.
Mr. Shemas holds membership in the California Music Educators Association, the New Mexico Music Educators Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. His primary teacher was Mr. Richie Hawley, Principal Clarinetist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Professor of Clarinet at the Rice University Shepard School of Music.
Mr. Shemas holds Bachelor of Music degrees in both Music Education and Clarinet Performance, as well as Master of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of
