Starting over again. Tomorrow morning marks the 5th time that I’ve started over with a new school. So, today I felt like reflecting on these changes.
Getting Started
I got my start in music education in 1988. Northampton County Schools interviewed me and hired me on the spot.
I was filled with dreams and thoroughly naive about what was necessary to be a quality band director. But I was excited to get started.
For those of you that are getting started, you might want to read what I wrote at the time. I didn’t get a dream job and I wasn’t living in the lap of luxury.
And, I was alone. No one lived close enough to bail me out of any trouble I might get into.
I had a little furnished apartment that cost $250/month. The landlords rented the place to teachers and kept the rent cheap.
I had no internet (what was that?), no cable tv and no phone! But I was a band director!
You can read more about my first years here.
Second School
I moved to Lynchburg to start at my second school in 1990. The Northampton job had been middle school. This new job would be middle school AND high school. That meant I could begin to direct a marching band!
My friend, David, let me live in his spare bedroom for very little cash. I was grateful. My pay was VERY low.
The band was small and I learned a ton. Lynchburg was where I met my wife, Brenda, and that is where we had our two kids.
Lynchburg will always hold a special place in my heart. Click here to read more about my Lynchburg experiences.
I didn’t think it was a place to spend an entire career. So, in 2000 it was time to start over, again.
Third School
The King’s Academy (TKA) was the dream school. They had a nice facility, a budget and a music department staff!
I quickly realized that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did. Palm Beach County standards were and are a lot higher than the standards in Lynchburg.
There is a TON of competition in Florida.
TKA brought growth and STRESS! But, I believed that I would spend the rest of my career in that school.
That didn’t happen. You can read more about my TKA experience here.
Fourth School
Somerset Academy Canyons hired me in 2016 on the rebound. I had a lot of wounds when I walked into their band room and those scars are still tender.
The administration and staff were incredibly supportive. But, I tried to get jobs at other schools in my first few years.
Other jobs didn’t pan out so, I settled into the idea that I would finish my career at this school.
Then Bill called.
You can read more about my experiences at Somerset Canyons here.
Fifth School
That takes us to Sunday, the 20th of July – 2025.
Tomorrow I officially become the director of arts at Babcock Ranch Neighborhood School. We’re starting a music program from scratch in a beautiful new building.
I have no idea how this will turn out.
God, help me to work together with these folks to create a music program and school that sets the standard for quality while cultivating a positive culture in the school and community.
You can read more about my decision to move to Babcock here.
