John Jay Selzer earned his Bachelors in Music Education and his
Masters in Music Education from the University of Kansas. He has
served the Northeast District of KMEA as District Jazz Chair for
multiple years, and he served as State KMEA Jazz Chair.
For seventeen years at Shawnee Mission West High School, John Selzer served as assistant director of bands and director of the jazz program. Being a strong jazz performer and advocate, he was an immediate "hit" with his students. John eventually became the director of bands at Shawnee Mission West for three years. For the final nine years of his teaching career, John was director of bands at Blue Valley Northwest High School, where John's motto of "At BVNW you can do band AND..." inspired a significant increase in enrollment and a sense of family in the Howlin' Husky Band program. John and the band enjoyed appreciative support from the administration, the student body, the staff and the entire community. The band was a source of pride for all.
Fellow teacher, Steve Adams says, "I have known John as fellow students at KU, professional colleague, competitor, long time friend, and now I have the honor of being the band director of his kids. I can assure you, he is the dream band dad!"
Former student, Veronica McKinny says, "He took the jazz band to New Orleans my sophomore year, and seeing the birthplace of the genre through his eyes, the eyes of a professional artist, is really what sealed my love of jazz. Additionally, just a few weeks ago, I jammed at a jazz club in Japan, performing improv with no warm up and musicians who spoke no English. I was only able to have this impromptu experience because of the musical tools Mr. Selzer passed on to me."
Former student Benjamin Simon says, "Mr. Selzer's 'Band And...' philosophy—his belief that students should be able to pursue music as well as their other interests—was instrumental (pun intended) in my ability to participate and grow in band."
Fellow teacher Penny Snead says, "I know with absolute certainty that students who passed through John Selzer's program, when asked about their band director, would say: Mr. Selzer taught me so much! Mr. Selzer made band so fun! Mr. Selzer was a great friend!"
For seventeen years at Shawnee Mission West High School, John Selzer served as assistant director of bands and director of the jazz program. Being a strong jazz performer and advocate, he was an immediate "hit" with his students. John eventually became the director of bands at Shawnee Mission West for three years. For the final nine years of his teaching career, John was director of bands at Blue Valley Northwest High School, where John's motto of "At BVNW you can do band AND..." inspired a significant increase in enrollment and a sense of family in the Howlin' Husky Band program. John and the band enjoyed appreciative support from the administration, the student body, the staff and the entire community. The band was a source of pride for all.
Fellow teacher, Steve Adams says, "I have known John as fellow students at KU, professional colleague, competitor, long time friend, and now I have the honor of being the band director of his kids. I can assure you, he is the dream band dad!"
Former student, Veronica McKinny says, "He took the jazz band to New Orleans my sophomore year, and seeing the birthplace of the genre through his eyes, the eyes of a professional artist, is really what sealed my love of jazz. Additionally, just a few weeks ago, I jammed at a jazz club in Japan, performing improv with no warm up and musicians who spoke no English. I was only able to have this impromptu experience because of the musical tools Mr. Selzer passed on to me."
Former student Benjamin Simon says, "Mr. Selzer's 'Band And...' philosophy—his belief that students should be able to pursue music as well as their other interests—was instrumental (pun intended) in my ability to participate and grow in band."
Fellow teacher Penny Snead says, "I know with absolute certainty that students who passed through John Selzer's program, when asked about their band director, would say: Mr. Selzer taught me so much! Mr. Selzer made band so fun! Mr. Selzer was a great friend!"