Benjamin Druffel has extensive experience as a conductor and music educator. He holds Doctoral, Masters, and Bachelors degrees in music and has taught at the K-12 and higher education levels. Druffel has conducted various ensembles, such as wind bands, orchestras, and choirs across the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. He is currently the instrumental music teacher at Alden-Conger School in Minnesota.

1. Benjamin James Druffel
15658 520th Ave
Wells, MN 56097
507.317.0689
bendruffel@gmail.com
www.benjaminjamesdruffel.com
EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS May 2015
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, NJ
Concentration: Wind Band Conducting
Final Paper/Project: “What Is There but Memory?” Memory and Musical Continuity in
Selected Works for Wind Band by Ross Lee Finney
GPA 4.00
MASTER OF MUSIC July 2012
Minnesota State University – Mankato; Mankato, MN
Concentration: Wind Band Conducting
Thesis: In-Depth Analysis and Program Notes on a Selection of Wind Band Music
GPA 3.98
BACHELOR OF ARTS June 2004
Luther College; Decorah, IA
Major: Music
Minor: K-12 Instrumental Music Education
GPA 3.44
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING AND CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE
Higher Education
WIND CONDUCTING ASSOCIATE August 2012 – May 2015
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick NJ
♦ Guest Conducting – rehearsed and conducted in performance
o Wind Ensemble (auditioned graduate and undergraduate music majors)
o Chamber Winds (auditioned graduate and undergraduate music majors)
o Symphony Band (auditioned undergraduate music majors)
o Concert Band (non-auditioned non-music majors)
♦ Ad Hoc Ensembles – Lecture and Chamber Recitals
o Selected repertoire and conducted performances
o Led rehearsals
o Assembled required musicians
♦ Athletic Bands
o Instrumental Instructor for Marching Scarlet Knights
• Conducted music sectionals
• Assisted Director of Athletic Bands in the execution of full ensemble
rehearsals; facilitated the teaching of drill maneuvers, marching technique,
and ensemble music
• Managed the movement and performances of the band on game days during
regular season

2. Druffel CV 2
• Prepared band for major performances: Superbowl 48 - East Rutherford, NJ;
Quick Lane Bowl - Detroit MI; New Era Pinstripe Bowl - New York NY;
Russell Athletic Bowl - Orlando FL
o Substitute conductor for Basketball Pep Band
• Conducted band performances
• Conducted band’s performance at Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament,
Chicago IL
♦ Administrative Duties
o Assisted with the coordination and execution of the Mid-Atlantic Wind Band
Invitational and New Jersey State Concert Band Gala
o Served as librarian of the wind studies library
o Authored program notes for wind band concerts
GRADUATE ASSISTANT August 2010 – May 2012
Minnesota State University-Mankato; Mankato, MN
♦ Symphonic Band Conductor (non-auditioned non-music majors)
o Selected repertoire and conducted ensemble in 2 performances a semester
o Led rehearsals
o Credit-bearing course (1 credit hour)
♦ Concert Wind Ensemble Assistant Conductor (auditioned undergraduate music
majors and non-majors)
o Conducted ensemble in 2 performances a semester
o Led sectional rehearsals
o Led full ensemble rehearsals in absence of primary conductor
o Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival; Chicago, IL; March 9–10, 2012 -
• Conducted performance at Orchestra Hall, Chicago and
• Clinic with Col. Arnold Gabriel (US Air Force Band)
♦ Teaching Assistant
o Assisted instructor in the teaching of music education courses: Instrumental
Musicianship and Undergraduate Basic Conducting Techniques
♦ Administrative Duties
o Administered music locker and instrument inventory
o Assisted Director of Bands in the coordination and execution of two Concert Wind
Ensemble tours
o Assisted in the organization and execution of MSU-Mankato Honor Band
K-12 Music
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER (5-12) January 2016 – Present
Alden-Conger School; Alden, MN
♦ Courses Taught - designed and executed lessons plans, developed assessments
o High School Concert Band: Grade 9–12
o High School Jazz Band: Grade 9-12
o Middle School Concert Band: Grade 6-8
o Beginners Band: Grade 5
o Music Appreciation: Grade 8
o Music Appreciation: Grade 9-12
o Individual and small group lessons: Grade 5-12

3. Druffel CV 3
♦ Extra Curricular Assignments
o High School Pep Band
• Rehearsed, and conducted performances at basketball games
o High School Marching Band
• Rehearsed, and conducted performance for Memorial Day Parade and Civic
Ceremonies
o Prepared students for auditions and accompanied students to honor bands and
contests
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER October 2015 – December 2015
United South Central Public School; Wells, MN
♦ Substitute teacher in all subjects
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER June – July 2011; June – July 2012
Mankato Symphony Orchestra; Mankato, MN
♦ Taught music enrichment classes for English Language Learners program, grades
1–5
♦ Prepared students for and presented culminating performance
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AND SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER August 2006 – June 2010
Dubai American Academy Middle and High School; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ High School (August 2006–June 2010)
o Courses Taught - designed and executed lessons plans, developed assessments
• Concert Band: Grade 9–12
- Conducted ensemble in yearly performances on and off campus
• IB Music I
• IB Music II
• World Civilizations: Grade 9
♦ Middle School (August 2006–June 2007)
o Courses taught – designed and executed lesson plans, developed assessments
• Concert Band: Grade 7–8
• Beginning Band: Grade 7–8
- conducted ensembles in yearly performances
♦ Extra Curricular
o High School Musicals
• Assembled, rehearsed, and conducted pit orchestra
• Provided piano accompaniment for vocal and staging rehearsals
• Coached vocal rehearsals (vocal coach)
• Directed full production (Fall 2008)
o Pep Band
• Established, rehearsed, and conducted performances at basketball games
• Arranged music for performances
o Prepared students for auditions and accompanied students to festivals: Eastern
Mediterranean Activities Conference Fine Arts Festivals; Association for Music in
International Schools Honor Bands
o Collaborated with high school arts faculty and activities director in the
organization of hosting Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference Senior Fine
Arts Festival (January–February 2007)

4. Druffel CV 4
o Provided piano accompaniment for rehearsals and performances of High School
and Middle School Choirs
o Provided piano accompaniment for rehearsals and performances of Middle
School musical productions
ELEMENTARY GENERAL MUSIC TEACHER August 2004 – June 2006
Dubai American Academy Elementary School; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Courses Taught – designed and executed lesson plans, developed assessments
o Music: Grades KG1–KG2 and Grades 1–2
♦ Prepared students for and presented holiday performances
♦ Collaborated with classroom teachers for school assembly presentations
♦ Co-directed Elementary School musical productions
Community and Semi-Professional Ensembles
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR June – July 2016
Mankato Community Band; Mankato, MN
♦ Selected repertoire and conducted ensemble in 3 performances
♦ Led rehearsals
GUEST CONDUCTOR September 27, 2015
Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble; Mankato, MN
GUEST CONDUCTOR July 14, 2012
Lake Crystal Community Band; Lake Crystal, MN
GUEST CONDUCTOR July 5, 2011
Mankato Community Band; Mankato, MN
GUEST CONDUCTOR December 9, 2009
Dubai Divas; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
CONDUCTOR AND MUSIC DIRECTOR March 2006 – April 2008
Dubai Chamber Orchestra; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Selected repertoire and conducted ensemble in 2-3 performances yearly
♦ Led weekly rehearsals
♦ Assembled required musicians
♦ Composed program notes
CONDUCTOR AND MUSIC DIRECTOR January 2005 – December 2007
Dubai Wind Band; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Selected repertoire and conducted ensemble in 2-3 performances yearly
♦ Led weekly rehearsals
♦ Assembled required musicians
CONDUCTOR AND MUSIC DIRECTOR January – February 2007
Bravo Productions “An Evening of Bernstein”; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Coached vocal rehearsals (vocal coach)

5. Druffel CV 5
♦ Led rehearsals
♦ Conducted pit orchestra in performance
♦ Assembled required musicians
Festivals and Camps
SYMPHONIC BAND CONDUCTOR July 2015
Extension Division, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, NJ
♦ Selected repertoire and conducted ensemble in performance
♦ Led daily rehearsals
SYMPHONIC BAND ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR July 2014
Extension Division, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, NJ
♦ Conducted ensemble in performance
♦ Led daily rehearsals
REHEARSAL CONDUCTOR December 21, 2013
New Jersey Region II Honor Bands; Bridgewater, NJ
♦ Led reading rehearsal of Wind Ensemble
FESTIVAL BAND ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference Senior Arts Festival
The American International School of Kuwait; Kuwait City, Kuwait; February 2009
Schutz American School; Alexandria, Egypt; February 2008
Dubai American Academy; Dubai, United Arab Emirates February 2007
FESTIVAL CHOIR ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR February 2006
Easter Mediterranean Activities Conference Senior Arts Festival; Kuwait City, Kuwait
BASS SECTION LEADER February 2005, 2006, 2007
The American International School of Muscat Festival of Choirs; Muscat, Oman
FESTIVAL BAND ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR April 2005
Easter Mediterranean Activities Conference Junior Arts Festival; Nicosea, Cyprus
Clinics
GUEST CLINICIAN December 16, 2015
Faribault High Schcool; Faribault, MN
♦ Led clinics with Wind Ensemble and 9th
Grade Band
GUEST CLINICIAN May 29, 2015
Eric S. Smith Middle School; Ramsey, NJ
♦ Led clinics with Wind Ensemble and Blue Band
Private Instruction
PRIVATE STUDIO September 2002 – Present

6. Druffel CV 6
Various locations
♦ Lessons in piano, brass, woodwinds, and voice
Leadership
MANAGING DIRECTOR May – July 2014; April – July 2015
Rutgers Wind Band and Chamber Music Camp
Extension Division, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick NJ
♦ Managed the employment of superior teaching faculty and counseling staff
♦ Facilitated the recruitment of students for camp
♦ Conducted outreach visits to local schools for recruitment
♦ Coordinated daily schedule
♦ Coordinated use of department facilities
♦ Facilitated registration process
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY September 2010 – July 2012
St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church; Mankato, MN
♦ Conductor of Adult and Children’s Choirs for Holy Week services
♦ Piano accompanist for weekly Mass, funerals, and weddings
♦ Selected appropriate hymns for weekly Mass
♦ Coordinated schedule of cantors and accompanists for weekly Mass
SECONDARY FINE ARTS CHAIR August 2007 – June 2010
Dubai American Academy Middle and High School; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ Organized and managed monthly meetings of Fine Arts Department
o Agenda topics included teaching strategies, assessment, curriculum
development, event scheduling, event promotion, arts advocacy, announcements
and other business from administration
♦ Collaborated with K-12 music faculty in full curriculum review (2007-2008)
o Composed Statement of Philosophy for department
o Revised benchmark standards
o Began process of curriculum mapping
♦ Collaborated with department members and Curriculum Director on continued
development of arts curriculum and assessment
♦ Managed the organization of annual DAA Spring Fine Arts Festival (K-12)
♦ Represented department and contributed to monthly meetings of department chairs
led by Principal and Vice Principal (both Middle School and High School)
♦ Reported directly to principals as a representative of department faculty
Professional Development / Workshops
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE SERIES May 2013, 2014
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, NJ
♦ Private conducting lessons with James Keene and Jerry Junkin
MID-ATLANTIC WIND CONDUCTING SYMPOSIUM February 26-28, 2014

7. Druffel CV 7
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, NJ
♦ Instructors – Richard Floyd and Kraig Alan Williams
♦ Topics: conducting gesture, programming, rehearsal technique
NORTHEAST WIND CONDUCTING SYMPOSIUM June 2009
Ithaca College; Ithaca, NY
♦ Instructors – Steven Peterson and Anthony Maiello
♦ Topics: conducting gesture, programming, rehearsal technique
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE TEACHERS WORKSHOPS
Dubai American Academy; Dubai, United Arab Emirates June 2008
Geitonas School; Athens, Greece June 2006
♦ Topics: curriculum, assessment, teaching strategies
ORFF PEDAGOGY LEVEL I July 2005
Belmont University; Nashville, Tennessee
♦ Topics: philosophy, pedagogy, recorder technique, arranging for Orff ensemble,
movement,
ARTIS… March 2005
Jumeriah College; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ “Creativity in Education” Workshop
Performance Experience
SECTION FRENCH HORN April 2016
Owatonna Symphony Orchestra; Owatonna, MN
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIST AND PIT ORCHESTRA PIANO September – November 2015
United South Central Public School; Wells, MN
♦ High school musical production
SECTION TENOR (Substitute) September 2013 – April 2015
United Methodist Church at Milltown; Milltown, NJ
SECTION TRUMPET May – July 2011, 2012
Mankato Community Band; Mankato, MN
SECTION TRUMPET May – July 2011, 2012
Lake Crystal Community Band; Lake Crystal, MN
SECTION FRENCH HORN September 2010 – December 2011
Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble; Mankato, MN
SECTION FRENCH HORN, TROMBONE, TUBA September 2004 – June 2010
Dubai Wind Band; Dubai United Arab Emirates

8. Druffel CV 8
PIANO ACCOMPANIST December 2008
Dubai Chamber Choir; Dubai United Arab Emirates
SECTION BASS November 2005 – 2008
Manama Singers; Manama, Bahrain
SECTION FRENCH HORN, PERCUSSION November 2005 – June 2008
Bahrain Sinfonia; Manama, Bahrain
PIANO ACCOMPANIST February 2007
The American International School of Muscat Festival of Choirs; Muscat, Oman
VOCALIST/ACTOR January, 2007
Bravo Productions; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
♦ ‘Il Sagrestano’ in Tosca
SECTION FRENCH HORN September 2004 – March 2006
Dubai Chamber Orchestra; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Professional Memberships and Certifications
♦ Member of National Association for Music Education (NAfME); 2015–present
♦ College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA); 2013–present
♦ Teaching Certification: State of Minnesota; valid to 2020
♦ Teaching Certification: State of Iowa; 2004–2010
Other
♦ Diamond Jo Worth Casino, Blackjack Dealer; September-December 2015
♦ Resident Assistant for RiSE at Rutgers; May–August 2014, May–August 2013
♦ Stadium announcer for the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights; September
2013–December 2014
♦ Adjudicator of Minnesota State Solo and Ensemble Contests; February 2011-April 2012
♦ Technology: Regular use of Promethian Smart Board and software; Audacity; Microsoft
Word, Excel, and Powerpoint; M-Audio recording equipment; Finale and Sibelius
notation software; Windows Movie Maker; Macintosh I-Movie
♦ Hobbies: International travel, classic films

9. References
Dr. Kraig Alan Williams
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Bands
Mason Gross School of the Arts,
Rutgers University
81 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1411
848-932-1394
kraig.williams@rutgers.edu
Professor Darryl J. Bott
Associate Professor of Music
Associate Director of Music Department
Associate Director of Bands
Mason Gross School of the Arts,
Rutgers University
81 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1411
732-932-8860
dbott@rci.rutgers.edu
Professor Timothy G. Smith
Assistant Instructor
Director of Athletic Bands
Mason Gross School of the Arts,
Rutgers University
54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8045
732-445-2480
tsmith@scarletknights.com
Jerry Peel
Professor of Music
Mason Gross School of the Arts,
Rutgers University
81 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1411
848-932-1811
jwpeel@aol.com
Dr. Amy K. Roisum-Foley
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Bands
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato MN, 56001
507-389-2118
amy.roisum-foley@mnsu.edu
Brian Shanks
Superintendent
Alden-Conger Pubic School
215 N. Broadway
P.O. Box 99
Alden, MN 56009
507-874-3240
bshanks@ac242.us