Michael Raskovich – The Man Behind the Band
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October 28, 2009
Filed under Life at Como
This past year Como Park has made some renovations, some noticeable, some not. One thing most of the returning students may have noticed is that there’s been some rearrangements in staff. Older staff have been assigned different rooms to teach and new staff members have been hired. One of the biggest (and most ongoing) changes has been in the band department which, in the course of 4 years, has seen three different teachers.
I had a chance to get some one on one time with the newest band teacher, Michael Raskovich, to ask him how he was adapting to his new “home” and what his thoughts were concerning these drastic changes.
Have you had other music related jobs prior to working as the band director for Como Park?
Well the first job I got after receiving my license was a band teaching position at Central Middle School in Forest Lake. From there I transfered to Isanty Elementary and Middle School. The last job I got before coming to Como Park was the director of music position at Hazel Park Middle School where I taught for 11 years.
How did you decide that you wanted to go into a music related career?
I was a musically inclined kid. Back in the day the neighbors would always complain about “that kid” making too much noise while he pounded his little toy drum [laughs]. I guess from an early age it just consumed me.
Where did you go for school? Were there other majors that you considered pursuing?
The first college I attended was called Hibbing Junior College, but a couple of years later I transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Superior (which was kind of like what UMD is to the University of Minnesota.) I was a really big sports guy at that point, in fact I even considered being a Phys Ed teacher.
What do you think of CPHS’s musical talent, as well as the school as a whole thus far?
I was very impressed by the musical talent of many of the students. They have a very unique approach to the way they work [laughs]. What really surprised me though was the feeling I first got when I walked into the building. It was a very welcoming vibe, almost as if the building itself was happy to see me. I really enjoy that vibe.
Finally, if you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
Super speed. I used to be a running back for the football team when I went to school. I had the power and agility, but when it came to outrunning someone they would always catch up to me [laughs].
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