PCPS Names New Head Band Director

Dineo Heilmann has been named Head Band Director for Ponca City Public Schools. Professor Heilmann began his teaching career in 1995 and retired in 2019 from NOC.   In his 34 years of teaching, he has taught for the Chelsea Public School system, Northern Oklahoma College, Phillips University, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.   He holds degrees from NOC, OSU and WSU.

As a Clarinetist, Dineo has performed with the NOC Gala Orchestra since 1996. He has been a guest soloist with the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble, the NWOSU University Singers, the Ponca City High School Wind Ensemble, the Ponca City Chorale at the OMEA convention, and the honor of performing at a Richard Stoltzman workshop. His favorite performance was with Maestro Gerald Steichen and New York Philharmonic violist, Dorian Rence, in a 2007 Centennial performance.

As a band director, he has been the guest clinician for many Honor Bands including the Tri-State Band, the NEOBA Honors Band, and the Rogers County Honors Band.

He has been named one of Phi Beta Mu’s “Outstanding Young Bandmasters of Oklahoma” and in 2016 the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce named him Tonkawa’s ”Citizen of the Year.”

Mr. Heilmann stated, “I have always wanted to go back to public school teaching and work with young musicians.  It’s such a great feeling to see young musicians grow from the beginning and see how far they can mature musically.”

PCPS Instrumental Music Director Paula Cochran said, “We are very excited for our band program. Mr. Heilmann will be a great addition to our instrumental music staff here at Ponca City!”