Pieratt to Take The Helm of the Marching Cubs Program

She will continue to manage and direct musical church operations which includes selection, composition, and arrangement of music.

Photo Thanks to Madison Consolidated Schools

(Madison, Ind.) - Layn Pieratt thoroughly enjoys music and everything about it. So much so that she threw herself into her first music education position, also took on responsibilities as the assistant band director, taught lessons after school, and maintained a part-time position as the music director at her church. A few years ago, she realized she still had room to grow and wanted to challenge her creativity and explore another aspect of film and music and she is now bringing her talents to Madison Consolidated High School.

Please help us welcome Ms. Pieratt as the new Marching Band Director and high school band teacher. “I am thrilled to be at Madison,” shared Pieratt. “I have been involved as the music director at the First Christian Church for the last five years so I am very familiar with Madison. I deeply appreciate the commitment to and value of the arts and music culture in the community.”

Pieratt is a graduate of Jennings County High School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Science degree in Design and Production from Indiana University. Additionally, she spent time with Drum Corps International world-class finalist Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps 2009-2013, touring as a trumpet player, mellophone player, drum major, and administrative staff member. Following her undergraduate work, Pieratt went back to her alma mater to teach music education in grades K - 12. She was also the assistant band director where she directed rehearsals, designed competitive marching shows, conducted and managed the theatrical musical pit orchestra, taught AP Music Theory classes, and was hands on teaching students of all ages technical music skills.

Additionally, while a student at IU, she taught and managed hands-on studio activities and worked with the Division of Student Affairs to design and create effective video campaigns which included planning, shooting, organizing footage, and editing into a final product. She will continue to manage and direct musical church operations which includes selection, composition, and arrangement of music to ensure a meaningful experience for musicians and congregants.

In 2018, Pieratt made a decision to shift from the heavily focused music education track of her career to learn and expand in a creative community at Indiana University giving her the opportunity to contribute as an artist and work with others to blend disciplines into a finished product. “My Design and Production course work gave me the opportunity to take my passion and experience in music and apply to film work and other mediums. I was able to direct short films, incorporating all aspects of that process and I am very excited to bring that learning to the marching band landscape.”

As a member of both her high school and college marching bands, Pieratt appreciates and embraces the many traditions and realizes each band has their own unique things. “I want to first learn about and understand the traditions of the program from both the student and parent perspectives,” shared Pieratt. “Together, we will work together to determine what is working, identify things we may consider moving away from in order to introduce new things - my primary goal is to work with everyone to ensure a smooth transition.”

Pieratt is anxious to get started but will wait until COVID-19 reopening plans are finalized. “We hope to be a part of the graduation ceremony in July and host a band camp,” she continued. “But with the changes taking place all over the state, I will wait for guidance from the district so that we proceed with safety at the forefront of our efforts.”