Noteworthy...


Russellville’s Alex Richey Selected for All-American Marching Band


All-State Red Band for the third year in a row, which is a tremendous acomplishment. Only two students from our district are chosen for the top two spots, which is impressive enough.


But consider this: last weekend, Stanley was also featured in the Alabama All-State Gold Jazz Band, where he was among the top jazz trombone players in the state. Earlier this year, he made Alabama All- State Honor Choir. And next week, he will be one of two trombone players chosen to perform in the Alabama All- State Orchestra.


Left to right: Russellville HS Band


Director Gary McNutt, Alex Richey, and Scott Stephenson, Russellville HS Percussion Coordinator


Russellville High School percussionist Alex Richey was selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. The All-American Bowl is the premier high school football game in the nation. Produced by All American Games, this Bowl features the nation's top high school senior football players and marching musicians. Student selected as one of the 125 All-American Marching Band members received an all-expenses- paid trip to San Antonio, TX to march in the halftime performance of the All- American Bowl at the Alamodome.


Tallassee Student


Selected to All Four All-State Ensembles


Stanley Lacey of Tallassee just accomplished something no THS student has ever done – and, to our knowledge, few in the state of Alabama have, either.


On Saturday, Stanley made the Alabama 38


Stanley has spent his high school career learning any – and every – instrument he could find, and for the past two years has arranged the music the Pride of Tallassee performed in their halftime shows. He plays trombone in the Montgomery Youth Orchestra, piano in a local rock band called The Soul Survivors, guitar and mandolin in the FFA String Band, euphonium in the THS Wind Ensemble, and sings tenor and baritone in the THS Choir. Last year, he played Sousaphone in the marching band and bass trombone in the jazz band, as well. He is also a substitute piano accompanist at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Tallassee.


Tallassee has been fortunate to have Stanley Lacey in its music department. Now that he has met the goals of being in all four All-State ensembles, what’s next for Stanley? Perhaps not surprisingly, he is hoping to pursue a career in music performance and education.


The music department in Tallassee consists of Jerry Cunningham, Chairman and Choral Director; Adam Moxley, Assistant Choral Director; Robby Glasscock, High School Band Director; and Michael Bird, Middle School Band Director. Superintendent Dr. Jim Jeffers was named the Alabama Music Educators Association “Administrator of the Year”


Steve McLendon Featured in “50 Directors Who Make a Difference


for 2011-2012. School Band &


Orchestra’s 14th annual “50 Director’s Who Make a Difference” included AMEA’s own Steve McLendon, Band


Steve McLendon


Director at Dothan High School.


Stanley Lacey


Stanley has also participated in honor bands through the years at Troy University, University of Alabama, and Auburn University. After several years of lessons with his middle school band director, he studied privately with Dr. Doug Bristol at Alabama State University and Dr. Matthew Wood at Auburn University.


Responding to questions about teaching philosophy, making a difference in students’ lives, and the most important lesson they’ve learned in their careers as educators, the directors, instructors, and teachers who make up the 2011 “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” present an uplifting mosaic of school music programs nationwide. McLendon’s responses are below:


Teaching philosophy:


I love music. My goal as a music educator is to share that passion and love for music. Through music I hope to help each student I teach be a better musician, appreciate music more, improve their self discipline, and build on their self esteem.


February/March 2012


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