About

Robert H. Sloan is a full time band director in Van Wert Ohio (Van Wert High School).  His primary teaching duties are 5th grade band, 6th grade band, and HS marching, pep and symphonic bands along with middle school brass and percussion.  He assists 7th and 8th grade bands. Mr. Sloan also teaches high school courses in music theory, music appreciation, music technology, jazz, and guitar. He conducts the musical pit orchestra and is arts department chair.  He is a member of the HS Building Leadership Team and District Leadership Team. Mr. Sloan was named the 2019 Ohio Department of Education Teacher of the Year for District 1, and was a state semi-finalist for Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Sloan is an active member of OMEA/NAfME and serves OMEA District 3 as technology director, HS Festival chair, and Large Group District chair.  He is an OMEA adjudicator for both Solo & Ensemble and Large Group. In 2024 he served OMEA as the All-State Coordinator.  He is a member of the American School Band Directors Association and Phi Beta Mu international bandmasters fraternity.

He is a graduate of THE Ohio State University (BME) and VanderCook College of Music (MME).  He credits his main teaching influence to Greg Taylor, Dane Newlove, Patricia Meeks, Richard Sherrick and the late Vince Polce.  His teaching style is based on humor (often sarcastic), a family atmosphere, and the constant strive for EXCELLENCE.  As a conductor he has worked with Charlie Menghini, Peter Boonshaft, Richard Blatti, and Ken Thompson.

Mr. Sloan loves marching bands of all styles and is an avid DCI fan.  He grew up in a "block" style HS band.  His first exposure to competitive marching band was at the 1995 BOA Grand National Championship.  He'll never forget seeing Plymouth-Canton perform "Prophecy of the Earth" and beginning to realize what marching band can be.  His arrangements meet with his personality: detailed... humorous... dark... creative... edgy.

As a composer and arranger he prides himself on creativity and ability to meet deadlines.

He currently resides in Van Wert with his wife Dawn (who is an elementary music teacher) and his 16 year old son, Harrison (who is the best piano player in the family, and plays trumpet in the VWHS Band).

Besides all that... he is a HUGE (borderline obsessive) fan of Star Wars, Harry Potter, Ohio State Athletics, the Cleveland Guardians, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (he was born in Pittsburgh). He is avid runner and biker, running frequent 5K events. He ran the Columbus Half-Marathon in October 2023, and the Glass City Marathon in April 2024. 

Contact

To find out more about availability and pricing please contact:

Robert H. Sloan
roberthsloan@gmail.com