MONTE VISTA— Alec Vanhove is the new director of Monte Vista’s award-winning band program. Vanhove comes to Monte Vista from South Dakota. He has a life-long passion for and experience with music.
Vanhove grew up enjoying music. He was enrolled in band, choir, marching band and jazz band throughout his K-12 education. He attended Brandon Valley High School which had a very active marching band. Vanhove doesn’t only stick to the more formal side of music but also enjoys popular bands and attending concerts.
Vanhove received his undergraduate degree in music from South Dakota University in 2010. He completed his Masters of Education in May 2017 at the University of Sioux Falls.
After spending some time in other fields Vanhove decided to return to school to pursue a career in music education. “It’s way more exciting and fun than any other job I’ve ever had. One day I thought why did I ever leave music? I got back in as soon as I could,” said Vanhove.
Vanhove is a first-year teacher. “I’m really glad to be teaching instrumental music. A person can always look into choral or things like that but I really wanted to teach instrumental and I’m glad I have the opportunity,” he said.
While doing his student teaching Vanhove had the opportunity to learn from a band director with experience in small schools. “He’s a really great, up and coming band director. He just won best young band director in South Dakota last year. It was a great learning experience,” stated Vanhove.
Vanhove chose to apply for the teaching position in Monte Vista after he and his wife had spent some vacations in Colorado. “We talked about where I was going to get a job. I saw the job opening in Monte Vista and saw it was instrumental music and in Colorado, and I thought it was great, plus we get to be close to mountains.”
Vanhove is trying to make the transition to a new band director as smooth as possible for Monte Vista students. “I try to get the kids’ input from both the middle school and high school so I can know what they’re used to. I try to keep things consistent. I’m still going to put my own style on things. Hopefully the kids and I can develop a style together and I can get them the resources they need,” he said.
Vanhove understands the tradition of excellence that Monte Vista bands are known for. “It’s been very evident to me how important the band program is to Monte. I feel very fortunate to have a great support base. The band boosters help out and answer my questions. It’s great to have that support behind the program. It would be easy to have found a school where no one really cared but I know here people will care, will chime in and watch how the band is doing. I think it’s awesome and I am grateful.”
Vanhove invites the community to support the bands at the upcoming Band Appreciation Night. The middle school and high school bands will both perform field shows at the MVHS football field on the evening of Oct. 12.