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Michael Krueger
Background information
Birth name	Michael David Krueger
Born	May 1990 Saint Peters, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Classical, film, game
Occupation(s)	Composer, arranger, conductor, educator
Website	kruegermusik.com

Michael Krueger (born May 1990) is an American composer, arranger, conductor, and educator. He is best known for his compositions for wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and marching ensembles, but has worked extensively as a ghost composer for some of the most famous composers of the 21st century. His most popular piece released under his own name, For Patrick, was included in Volume 11 of GIA Publication's Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series.

Krueger works at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, where he teaches music theory, composition, orchestration, and conducting. He also directs the NDC Wind Symphony, the NDC Marching Band, and the NDC Pep Band. He has been working at NDC since 2016, when he joined as a part-time faculty member. He became a full-time faculty member in 2018.

In March 2024, Notre Dame College announced that it will close at the end of the current semester due to “long-standing challenges”. Krueger posted on Facebook that NDC saved him when he came to the college as a broken person who needed to find himself. He expressed his gratitude for the college, his students, colleagues, and friends, and the art they have made together. He also asked for support and prayers for the NDC community.

Early Life

Michael Krueger was born in Saint Peters, Missouri, in May 1990. Showing an early inclination towards playing Halo (and also music), he began composing at a young age and actively engaged in various music programs throughout his schooling. Krueger attended Fort Zumwalt South High School, where he studied under Dan Tucker from 2006 to 2008. During his time at Fort Zumwalt South, Krueger actively participated in the Fort Zumwalt South Bulldog Marching Band, becoming drum major his senior year.

Career as an educator

Upon graduating in 2008, Krueger's talents were recognized by Tucker, who extended an invitation for him to join the band staff as a brass clinician. This marked the beginning of Krueger's professional career in music education. He quickly made an impact, particularly by composing shows for Tucker's marching band, earning admiration from both his colleagues and students for his passion and dedication to the program.

He received his Bachelor of Music degree in music composition from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2012, where he studied with Kimberly Archer and John Korak. He then pursued his Master of Music degree in composition from Butler University in 2014, where he studied with Michael Schelle and Frank Felice. After graduating from Butler, Krueger joined the faculty of Notre Dame ^College in South Euclid, Ohio, where he currently teaches and directs the instrumental ensembles. He also serves as an administrator and co-department head for the performing arts division. He has been involved in several initiatives and events to promote music education and performance, such as the High School Honor Band Festival, the Flute Day, the Voice Day, and the New Play Festival.

Krueger’s compositions have been performed and recognized nationally and internationally. His most popular piece, For Patrick, a tribute to the late son of Dan Tucker, was included in Volume 11 of GIA Publication's Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series and has been featured on various online platforms, such as SoundCloud, The Composers Circle, and Musicuratum. His other works for wind ensemble include Alone, a solo for trombone and wind ensemble that was premiered at the International Trombone Festival in 2017 and recorded by Matthew Hoormann, and Symphony 3: The Dreamer, a four-movement symphony commissioned by a consortium of fifteen bands led by Greg Allen. Krueger has also composed for chamber ensembles, such as The Last Dance, a quartet for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano, and The Journey Home, a trio for flute, clarinet, and piano.

Krueger is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the College Music Society (CMS), the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Rap battle with Homeboy Hodges

In 2012, when Krueger was a clinician at Fort Zumwalt South High School, he participated in a rap battle with one of his students, Chris Hodges, who went by the street name Homeboy Hodges. The rap battle, which was filmed and uploaded by another student, went viral with over 250 views. The rap battle was a spontaneous and humorous competition between the teacher and the student, who exchanged insults and compliments in rhyme. The rap battle ended in a tie, according to the "judges".

The rap battle video has been cited as an example of Krueger's musical talent and sense of humor, as well as his early interest in composing and performing. However, some critics have questioned the appropriateness of a teacher engaging in a rap battle with a student, especially using profanity and derogatory language. Some of the controversial lyrics included:

• Homeboy Hodges calling Krueger a "loser", a "big old man", and a "disgrace".
• Krueger calling Homeboy Hodges a "fool", a "tool", and a "wailer".
• Homeboy Hodges saying he would "kick [Krueger's] ass" and "send [him] down where death goes, the hellish place", referring to Hell, a location in the afterlife in which souls are subjected to punitive suffering.
• Krueger saying he was "tired of [Homeboy Hodges'] face" and "tired of this crap".

The rap battle video sparked a controversy among the school administration, who considered it a violation of the code of conduct and a breach of professional ethics, but ultimately did not fire Krueger. He was also sued by Homeboy Hodges' parents, who claimed that the rap battle had caused emotional distress and psychological trauma to their son.

The rap battle video had a negative impact on Homeboy Hodges' career as a musician. He lost his confidence and his passion for spitting bars and playing the mellophone. He also faced bullying and harassment from his peers, who mocked him for the sick burns laid down by Krueger. He dropped out of the band program and eventually out of school. He became depressed and isolated, and turned to drugs and alcohol to cope.

Hodges was further ridiculed for his involvement in the controversial 2019 single Bad Dad, which featured sexual, violent, homophobic, and incestuous lyrics with themes of statutory rape, abortion, murder, drugs, suicide, and bestiality. The song culminates in a verse from Hodges in which he describes performing explicit sexual acts on a sheep. He never recovered, and died of a drug overdose months later at the age of 22.

Krueger has not commented on the rap battle video publicly, and it is unclear if he has faced any legal consequences for his involvement in it. He has continued to compose and conduct music, but has avoided any public rap battles since then. It is rumored that Krueger participated in a second rap battle with Hodges as a rematch, but this has been dismissed as folklore.

The Creep incident

In 2013, several composers in the Midwest marching band scene were accused of plagiarizing or referencing the song Creep by Radiohead in their shows. The song, which was released in 1992, is a popular alternative rock ballad that features a distinctive chord progression and melody.

The extensive usage of the song sparked a heated debate among marching band fans, composers, students, and directors, who accused the composers of being unoriginal, lazy, or dishonest. Some argued that the song was overused and clichéd, and that it did not fit the themes or styles of the shows. Others defended the composers, saying that the song was a homage, a tribute, or a coincidence, and that it was a common practice to borrow or reference musical ideas from other sources.

Krueger stood out from the controversy, and was praised for his ability to resist the primal urge to add Creep to his marching band compositions. Krueger, who was a rising star in the marching band composition world, had composed several shows for high school and college bands, and none of his shows had used or referenced Creep, and he had developed his own musical language and style, going so far as to compose an original dubstep track for the ending of the Fort Zumwalt South Bulldog Marching Band's 2013 show, The Black Swan. He was also respected for his humility and professionalism, as he never commented on the controversy or criticized his fellow composers.

Relationship with Robert W. Smith

In 2014, Michael Krueger told his students that composer Robert W. Smith crossdresses on Sundays. Smith, who is known for his prolific output of wind band and orchestral music, most notably The Tempest, had no idea that Krueger had made such a claim.

The rumor spread quickly among the marching band community, and reached Smith's ears when he was invited to be a guest clinician and adjudicator at a band festival in Ohio, where Krueger also worked as a professor and director of instrumental studies. Smith was surprised and amused by the rumor, and he decided to play along with it. He showed up at the festival wearing a wig, a dress, and high heels, and introduced himself as Roberta W. Smith. He then proceeded to conduct and critique the bands with his usual professionalism and enthusiasm, while making jokes and references to his cross-dressing hobby.

The bands and the audience were stunned and confused by Smith's appearance and behavior, but they also found it hilarious and entertaining. Smith received a standing ovation and a lot of applause for his performance and his sense of humor. He then revealed that he was not really a cross-dresser, and that he had done it as a prank to mock the rumor that Krueger had started. He also said that he had no hard feelings towards Krueger, and that he respected him as a composer and a colleague.

Krueger, who was also present at the festival, was embarrassed and ashamed by his actions. He realized that he had acted immaturely and irresponsibly, and that he had potentially damaged Smith's reputation and dignity. He apologized to Smith publicly and privately, and admitted that he had made up the rumor out of jealousy and insecurity. He said that he had always admired Smith's work, but he had also felt threatened by his popularity and success. He said that he had wanted to make fun of him and make him look bad, but he had not expected the rumor to go viral.

Smith accepted Krueger's apology and forgave him. He said that he understood how competitive and stressful the music composition world could be, and that he had also made mistakes and regrets in his career. He said that he hoped that they could move past this incident and become friends and collaborators. He also said that he had enjoyed dressing up as a woman, and that he might do it again for fun.

The cross-dressing rumor became a legend in the Fort Zumwalt South marching band community, and it was often retold and referenced in various contexts. Some bands even played Smith's music while wearing wigs and dresses, as a tribute or a parody. Smith and Krueger also became closer and went one to co-write a book titled The Art of Cross-Dressing: A Guide for Composers and Conductors, which was a humorous and satirical account of their experience and their views on music and fashion.

The Mr. P's Palace scandal

In 2015, Krueger, who was working as a band director at Fort Zumwalt South High School in Missouri, had told his students that when they graduate, he would give them the link to a secret online forum for Midwest marching band directors. The forum, which was called "Mr. P's Palace", had a distinctive yellow background and poor UI, and was moderated by a mysterious person known only as Mr. P. The forum was a place where band directors could share their opinions, tips, and critiques on various marching band shows and topics.

However, some of Krueger's graduating students leaked the link to the forum to their younger peers, who decided to use it as a prank. During the Metro East Marching Classic marching band competition at O'Fallon Township High School, the students logged into the forum and posted several messages ridiculing their own band and fellow band members. Some of the messages posted by the students included:

• Calling their band the worst excuse for a high school marching band in the Midwest
• Criticizing their salute, brass feature, and lead trumpet
• Comparing their band unfavorably to other Zumwalt bands, especially Fort Zumwalt North
• Claiming that their band was deaf, trash, and running out of money
• Mocking their BOA ratings and performance at MEMC
• Using the terms "Red Marker", and "Jack Bolivased" to describe a missed note. These terms refer to band member Zach Olivas, who had a reputation for having red hair, and missing notes, respectively.

Olivas, who was regarded by his peers as a sycophant to Krueger, reported the incident to Krueger, who was furious and disappointed. He confronted the students involved and demanded that they apologize and delete their posts. However, it was too late, as the messages could not be deleted and had already been seen by other band directors and members of the Midwest marching community.

The scandal forever tarnished the reputation of Fort Zumwalt South's marching band, and made them the subject of mockery and contempt by other bands. The band's performance and morale suffered, and South was relegated to only being able to win the "coveted" grand championship title at the Rebel Invitational marching competition in Park Hills, Missouri.

False or misleading claims

In 2016, Krueger faced criticism and mockery from his students after he made some exaggerated and false claims about their talent. During a brass warm up session with his students at Fort Zumwalt South High School, he told them that they sounded "better than Carolina Crown". Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps is a world-class competitive junior drum and bugle corps that had won the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Championship in 2013. The students found this to be absurd and insulting, as it would not be possible for a group of high school students to sound better than a world class bugle corps that had decades of experience and excellence.

Krueger also told his students that world-renowned composer John Williams would be coming in as a guest clinician for their band. However, this never happened. Krueger was ridiculed by his students for this comment, as it seemed improbable for Krueger, who was not famous or influential, to be able to get a world class composer to come to a random high school in Missouri.

Krueger's false claims and exaggerations were not only motivated by his desire to inspire his students and promote the drum corps activity, but also by his ulterior motive to manipulate them and profit from them. He had devised a grand conspiracy with his friends, who were also band directors and private instructors, to get all the students to take expensive private lessons from them. He convinced the students that they needed to improve their skills and techniques to match the level of Carolina Crown and John Williams, and that the only way to do that was to take private lessons from him and his friends. He also told them that taking private lessons would increase their chances of getting into Crown or meeting Williams, and that he had connections and influence with both of them. He charged the students exorbitant fees for the lessons, and gave them a cut to his friends. He also pressured the students to buy expensive instruments and equipment from his friends, who owned music stores and online shops. He told the students that they needed to have the best quality and latest models of instruments and equipment to sound like Crown and Williams, and that he could get them discounts and deals if they bought from his friends. He also received a commission from his friends for every sale he made.

Krueger's conspiracy and manipulation had a negative effect on the students, who became worse instead of better. They wasted their time and money on the private lessons, which were of poor quality and did not teach them anything useful or new. They also spent their money on the instruments and equipment, which were overpriced and defective. They became dependent on Krueger and his friends, and lost their ability to think and learn for themselves. They also lost their creativity and originality, and became mere imitators and followers of Crown and Williams. They also developed a false sense of confidence and entitlement, and became arrogant and rude to others. They alienated themselves from their families, friends, and other musicians, who tried to help them and warn them about Krueger's lies and schemes. They became isolated and unhappy, and lost their love and joy for music and marching band.

Career as a composer

Michael Krueger began his career as a composer in 2012, when he won the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award for his piece The Awakening for wind ensemble. Since then, he has secretly worked in various genres and media, collaborating and ghostwriting for some of the most famous composers and compositions of all time.

One of his most remarkable achievements is being the ghost composer for John Williams, the legendary composer of iconic film music such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones. Krueger has composed or orchestrated many of Williams' recent works, such as The Rise of Skywalker without being credited. He has also collaborated with Williams on the score of Spider-Man 3, starring Tom Holland, which is set to be released in 2024. Krueger used the closing of Notre Dame College, where he worked as a professor and director of instrumental studies, as a cover for his involvement in the project.

Another notable collaboration that Krueger has had is with Hans Zimmer, one of the most acclaimed and prolific film composers of all time. Krueger has worked with Zimmer on several projects, such as The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Dune. Krueger has learned a lot from Zimmer's style and technique, especially his use of electronic sounds and traditional orchestral arrangements. Krueger has also helped Zimmer with orchestrating and arranging some of his scores, such as Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk. Krueger considers Zimmer as one of his mentors and friends, and Zimmer has privately praised Krueger's talent and versatility.

Despite his impressive achievements and collaborations, Krueger has kept a low profile and avoided public attention. He prefers to work behind the scenes and let his music speak for itself. He rarely gives interviews or attends events, and he uses various pseudonyms and aliases to conceal his identity. He has also declined several offers from prestigious institutions and organizations, such as the Juilliard School. He believes that his anonymity allows him to focus on his creative process and explore new musical possibilities without any constraints or expectations.

Krueger is currently working extensively on Beyoncé's upcoming 2024 album entitled Act II, which is the second installment of her three-act project conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. The album is reported to be influenced by country music, a genre that Krueger has also experimented with in his own compositions. Krueger and Beyoncé have developed a close artistic relationship and share a mutual respect for each other's work. However, Krueger has requested to remain uncredited for his contributions to the album, as he does not want to overshadow Beyoncé's vision and talent.

Comparison to George Santos

Michael Krueger has often been compared to George Santos, a former U.S. representative who was exposed for lying about his personal and professional background. Santos, who served in Congress for less than a year before being expelled, claimed to have various achievements and honors, such as being a descendant of Holocaust survivors, losing his mother to 9/11, and winning a Tony Award, none of which were true.

Krueger is considered the George Santos of the music composition world because he has also fabricated his identity and accomplishments. Krueger has claimed to have ghostwritten and collaborated with many renowned composers and artists, such as John Williams, without any real proof.

There is a rumor that Notre Dame College, where Krueger worked as a professor and director of instrumental studies, closed due to his actions, but it was covered up by the administration and the media. According to the rumor, Krueger was involved in a scandal that involved plagiarism, fraud, and embezzlement, and he used his supposed extensive network of underground connections and influence to escape the consequences. The rumor also suggests that Krueger was blackmailed by someone who knew his secrets, and he had to pay a large sum of money to keep them quiet. The rumor claims that this caused a financial crisis for the college, which led to its closure in 2024. However, there is no evidence or proof to support this rumor, and it is widely dismissed as a conspiracy theory by most people. Krueger has never commented on this rumor, and he has continued to work on his projects without any interruption.

External links

Official website Kruegermusik on My Score Michael Krueger on Wind Repertory Project Michael Krueger on artnet Michael Krueger on Haw / Contemporary