| Directors Randy Quarles, Director of Bands- After graduating from South Caldwell High School in Hudson, North Carolina, Mr. Quarles moved north to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University. Their he studied trumpet with Mr. Joe Phelps, Dr. Bill Jones, and Dr. Jim Stokes. He also studied conducting with Dr. Scott Tobias and Dr. John Ross. During his tenure at ASU, Mr. Quarles performed with the ASU Marching Mountaineers, ASU Concert Band, ASU Symphonic Band, ASU Trumpet Choir, ASU Jazz Ensemble I & II, and the ASU Glee Club. Email: mcmichaelbands@gmail.com Phone: 336-427-5165 ext. 1303 Mr. Gray Givens- Grayson Givens is a native of Martinsville, Virginia, where he still resides. After graduating from Martinsville High School in 1979, he attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC to pursue his degree in Music Education. While a student at ASU, he studied trumpet performance with Mr. Joe Phelps, performed in the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Jazz Ensemble. During this time he was priviledged to perform and study with ASU Director of Bands, Dr. Bill Gora, world-renowned conductor Dr. Frederick Fennell, jazz artists Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Ed Shaughnessy, Willie Thomas, and Michael Brecker. After student teaching under Mr. James Moore at Reidsville High School in the Spring of 1983, he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in May of 1983. Mr. Givens chose to continue his eduaction at Appalachian to pursue a Master's degree. He received a Graduate Assistantship in Trumpet Performance, during which time he taught Applied trumpet to freshman music majors, taught Trumpet/French Horn methods, and directed Jazz Ensemble II. In the Spring of 1985 he recieved the Master of Music Education degree and went on to teach in Davidson County, NC at West Davidson High School and Tyro Junior High. Mr. Givens' tenure there was from 1985 - 1988, during which time the WDHS Marching Band grew from 45 to 60 members and began its career as a competition band. Mr. Givens was the Band Director for both schools with a total enrollment of about 130. In the fall of 1988, Mr. Givens had the opportunity to return to Martinsville to teach at the then Martinsville Junior High School to teach seventh and eighth grade band and work under the mentorship of his former band director, Mr. Bob McMillan. He remained in this position for twelve years, teaching seventh and eighth grade band, assisting at Martinsville High School with the 165 member Marching Band, eventually becoming Co-Director and then Director. In 2000, Grayson chose to change career directions and take his current position at Western Rockingham Middle School, as Director of Bands for grades six thru eight. This will be his ninth year as WRMS director and twenty-fourth year in education. Mr. Givens lives in Martinsville with his wife Yvonne, daughters Erin (18)and Miranda (13), and son Clark (6). When not working at school, he enjoys house painting as an avocation, yard work, woodworking, and listening to music. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church, the First Baptist Church Handbell Choir, and performs trumpet at various weddings and civic celebrations. Staff Winds: Mr. Randy Quarles Mr. Gray Givens Percussion: Colorguard: |
