Michael Pote

Michael Pote has been Director of Bands at Carmel High School (Carmel, IN) since 2013 after spending 20 years serving as Associate Director of Bands. The band program at Carmel High School serves nearly 600 students with 6 concert bands, 5 jazz ensembles, marching band, chamber ensembles, private lesson program, percussion ensembles and 3 winter color guards.

Carmel High School’s Wind Symphony 1 performed at the 2005 Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic, the 2020 North Central Division CBDNA Conference, numerous state conference performances and clinics and has been a 4-time participant in the Music For All National Concert Band Festival. Wind Symphony 1 is a 9-time ISSMA Concert Band State Champion including the last 6 consecutive years.

The marching band at Carmel High School has been a Bands of America National Finalist 27 consecutive years dating back to 1996 and were the ISSMA State Champions in 1990, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2018 and 2022. CHS is a 27-time Bands of America Regional Champion and were named the Bands of America Grand National Champions in 2005, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

The Carmel band program has received the National Band Association Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award as well as being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Sudler Shield.

Michael was a Music Ensemble Consultant for the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and is currently on the brass staff of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. A clinician for the Yamaha Master Educator Collective, Michael has presented clinics across the country including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, The Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Boston Brass Summer Winds Seminar, the North Carolina Music Educators Conference, Florida Music Educators Association and the Arizona Music Educators Association. Michael was elected to membership in the American Band Masters Association in 2022 and in 2019 was awarded the Phi Beta Mu Indiana Chapter Band Master of the Year Award. Michael’s three wind ensemble method books, “Process”, “Ensemble: an integrated approach to the Yamaha Harmony Director” and “The Pure- Tempered Bach” are published through Fannin Music Productions.