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JR/SR High School
901 East Monroe Street
New Bremen, OH 45869
Phone: (419) 629-8606
Fax: (419) 629-0115

New Bremen High School Band Staff

Mr. Ryan M. Yahl, Director of Bands

Ryan Yahl is currently in his ninth year of teaching, and sixth as director of bands in the New Bremen Local School District, where he oversees the instrumental music program in grades 5-12. Prior to New Bremen, Yahl taught for one year in the Anthony Wayne Local School District, and two years at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic School, in Toledo. Under his direction, the New Bremen Bands have performed at both the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Marching Band Finals and the State Large Group Adjudicated Event.

A native of Wapakoneta, Yahl attended Bowling Green State University, where he earned his bachelors (2006) and masters (2009) degrees in music education. While at BGSU, Yahl was a member of the Falcon Marching Band, Wind Symphony, the University Percussion Ensemble, and was principal timpanist in the Philharmonia. Yahl studied percussion with Michael Sander and Roger Schupp, and conducting with Emily Freeman Brown, Carol Hayward, Kenneth Thompson, and Bruce Moss. As an undergraduate, Yahl was awarded the Dr. Richard and Annette Ecker Award in Music Education, and the Mark and Helen Kelly University Band Award.

Yahl currently holds membership in the Ohio Music Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Percussive Arts Society, National Band Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Pi Kappa Lambda, the American School Band Directors Association, and life membership in Kappa Kappa Psi. Yahl is a past President of the BGSU Band Alumni Society, and currently serves as President of OMEA District III, and as the Region 3 Representative for ASBDA. Yahl is sought after as a clinician, and is active as an adjudicator for OMEA Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Events.

Mrs. Patricia Ruckman, Assistant Band Director

Patricia Ruckman is in her twentieth year of teaching with the past fifteen being spent in the New Bremen Local School District. She is currently teaching 7-12 Vocal Music and assists with the High School Band. Her previous teaching experience includes four years in the Eastwood Local School District in Pemberville, Ohio where she was the director of the fifth and sixth grade bands, assisted with the high school band and was flag corps advisor.

Patty graduated from Alpena High School, Alpena, Michigan, in 1988. She attended Central Michigan University and received her Bachelor of Music Education with an instrumental focus and a choral minor. Upon completion of her degree, Patricia was awarded a Graduate Assistantship in Clarinet from Bowling Green State University and pursued her Master’s in Clarinet Performance. She was awarded that degree in May of 2000. While a graduate student, Patty was principal clarinetist of the Philharmonia, and Wind Ensemble, co-principal of the Symphonic Band and performed with the Opera Orchestra and Summer Musical Pit. She also taught clarinet lessons to undergraduate students, was a clarinet instructor for the Creative Arts Department, and taught Clarinet methods for Instrumental Music Education majors.

Patty is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, NAfME, OMEA, and the Golden Key National Honor Society, and has held membership in the International Clarinet Society. She continues to teach lessons outside of school and is frequently invited to area schools as a guest clinician.

Patty resides in Coldwater with her husband Dan and their three daughters Anna, Jillian, and Isabelle.