High school band directors from North Carolina and Virginia gathered on the Elon campus July 25-26 for a seminar led by David Willson, director of band at the University of Mississippi. The group examined a variety of topics with Willson, including marching band techniques, concert rehearsal techniques, personnel management and goal setting.
“This session has been very helpful,” says Jim Stanley, director of the Phantom Marching Band at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Va. “There are some things that have been reinforced here, especially about my attitude towards my students and towards preparation,” says Stanley, who was a percussionist in the U.S. Army Jazz Band which played in Elon’s Whitley Auditorium in the mid-1990s.
Bill DeJournett, who directs “The Fire of the Carolinas,” Elon’s marching band, says the session is beneficial not only to the participants, but the university as well. “When these directors get on campus, they are exposed to our programs and see what we have to offer. That’s positive for our recruiting efforts, not only for band but for the entire university.”