Band at Granger Middle School is offered as a curricular activity for those who wish to pursue the study of a band instrument.  Although participation in band requires extra time and effort, it greatly enhances many areas of a student’s personal growth and adds another dimension to his or her general education.  The band program at Granger Middle School is designed to help meet the emotional, social, and cultural needs of every band student.

Our goals for students in the band program align with District 204's adoption of the 4Four C’s of 21st Century Skills:
  • Critical Thinking—Looking at problems in a new way, linking learning across subjects and disciplines
  • Collaboration—Working together to reach a goal putting talent, expertise, and smarts to work
  • Creativity—Trying new approaches to get things done equals innovation & invention
  • Communication—Sharing thoughts, questions, ideas, and solutions
The tradition of musical excellence achieved and sustained by District 204 instrumental music students can be largely attributed to the design and adoption of a dual curriculum model. Since the 1980’s, a comprehensive musicianship curriculum, including components of music theory and music history, has been paired with an instrument-specific, skilled-based curriculum designed to provide each student with the technical skills needed to “experience” high quality repertoire at an artistic level. The success of District 204 music students is a reflection of both the scope and sequence of the dual curricula, and the dedication of each instrumental music teacher to consistently deliver pedagogically-sound, sequential instruction, as well as timely assessment and feedback of student progress.

 Technique Class is where the students actually learn to play their instruments. Technique Class is the instrument specific small group lesson that all band and orchestra students participate multiple times throughout each quarter. The focus of this class is to work on instrument specific techniques that allow students to grow much faster on their instruments. We do not work on band music during this time. Technique Class has its own curriculum that helps introduce musical concepts and allows students work towards mastery of these concepts

Meet Our Teachers

David Pakkebier was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  A self proclaimed cheese head and Packer fan, David attended Central College in Pella, Iowa and Graduated with a BA in music education in 1992.  In 2005 he completed work and received a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook School of Music in Chicago.

Before coming to Granger, David worked nine years in district #204 as a fifth grade band director.  He taught band and choir at St. Joe’s High School and Jr. High in Kenosha, Wisconsin for five years, taught 6th – 12th grade band for the School District of Random Lake in Random Lake, Wisconsin and 5th grade band in the Kenosha public Schools.  Mr. Pakkebier enters his 25th year of teaching this year.

David has been married for twenty six years to his wife Dawn who teaches orchestra at Granger also.  Together they have two children, Bailea who is a graduate of Central College in Pella Iowa, and special education teacher in the Des Monies public schools. Matthew, their son is a graduate of WVHS and is musical theater and vocal education double major at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Mr. Pakkebier enjoys sports and woodworking in his spare time.
Jason Dyhouse has been teaching for fourteen years and is beginning his eleventh year at Granger Middle School and his second at Brooks Elementary School.  He was born and raised in the Washington DC/Maryland area and is a die hard Washington Redskins football fan.   He is excited for the new school year and is looking forward to hearing everyone at the first band concert!