Mr. Eric Songer
Eric Songer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in nearby Wales. He began playing trombone in fifth grade and was always really into pop music. He enjoyed listening to American Top 40 in order to learn what the top songs of the week were. In high school, Mr. Songer was involved in band as well as many other activities including golf, bowling, drama, and the school newspaper.
Mr. Songer attended college at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where he earned his degree in music and math education. He participated in many performing groups including Jazz One, the symphony orchestra, the brass choir, the wind ensemble, the symphony band, the trombone choir, the Singing Statesmen, the Andante Brass, and various jazz combos. Highlights of his college days included going to England with the jazz ensemble, organizing the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival, forming the nation's biggest collegiate chapter of International Association of Jazz Educators, performing officer duties in MENC and Phi Mu Alpha, and even DJing on the collegiate radio station. Mr. Songer also completed his Masters in Education at St. Thomas in 2004.
During the summers Mr. Songer preformed in groups such as the Kids From Wisconsin, a performing group at Great Escape Fun Park in New York, and of course the Beach Band at Valleyfair in Shakopee.
This was Mr. Songer's eleventh year teaching at Chaska Middle School. Outside of teaching, Mr. Songer still loves to perform. He is currently a member of the Calhoun Brass, Valley Jazz Band and Combo, Kevin Mills Gospel Orchestra, the Skyway Jazz Orchestra and Bellagala Big Band. He also is a freelance trombonist across the Twin Cities. Mr. Songer also subs in the rock cover band Power Of 10. Mr. Songer also loves to bowl and golf, and play just about any other sport, watch the Packers and Badgers, read, compose and arrange music, spend time with his lovely wife Heidi and son Caleb and be with friends and family.