Dr. Myra Rhoden, Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chairperson, Fayette County High School
Dr. Myra Rhoden makes an impression on those that she meets by demonstrating the qualities of a true leader and mentor. Her dedicated and passionate group of students at Fayette County High School have performed in both national and international venues.
RESTON, Va. (PRWEB) January 11, 2018
2018 marked the eleventh anniversary of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (USAAAMB), which performed at halftime during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, on January 6, 2018. The 125 students who were selected spent the week rehearsing for the show, working with one another, and learning from this year’s USAAAMB Director, T. André Feagin, D.M.A., Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Coastal Carolina University.
Student Errol Rhoden, III, a sousaphone player from Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, enjoyed a truly special moment during this year’s events; his band director and mother, Dr. Myra Rhoden, received the distinguished honor of being named the 2018 National Band Director of the Year.
“Dr. Myra Rhoden makes an impression on those that she meets by demonstrating the qualities of a true leader and mentor. Her dedicated and passionate group of students at Fayette County High School have performed in both national and international venues, and have been finalists at Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Championships,” said National Association for Music Education (NAfME) President Denese Odegaard. “Dr. Rhoden is continually learning from others while sharing her own insights and knowledge, most recently at the 2017 Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference.”
Dr. Myra Rhoden has been a music educator for 24 years, and currently serves as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chairperson at Fayette County High School. She oversees the Fayette County High School Band’s program, which consists of a competitive marching band and winter guard, three concert bands, a jazz band, and several chamber ensembles.
Originally from Tuskegee, Alabama, Dr. Rhoden received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Music Education from the University of Alabama, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“Learning is a lifelong experience” says Dr. Rhoden. “I have been a music educator for 24 years, and I continually appreciate opportunities to enhance my development as a band director. I always try to identify ways to improve my teaching skills as well as find techniques that will assist my students in accomplishing their musical goals, while strengthening and building their musical interests.”
Dr. Rhoden is also the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp, a summer band and orchestra camp for middle and high school-aged girls that promotes musical excellence while emphasizing self-esteem and leadership skills; and the New Notes Band Camps, summer day camp programs for middle school musicians in the metropolitan Atlanta area.
Dr. Rhoden serves as a GMEA All-State Band Organizer, and she has served as the GMEA District VI Band Chairperson. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern United States (SEUS) Honor Band Clinic at Troy University, served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Bandmasters Association, and serves as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast.
“We have had seven previous All-American musicians chosen from our school,” says Dr. Rhoden. “All of our selected students have returned energized with wonderful memories of their experiences with the directors and staff.”
The National Band Director of the Year Award honors the band director who has been an inspiration to students and music educators, and who by his or her actions, embodies the U.S. Army’s core values.
The award, now in its eighth year, was added to the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band program as part of its efforts to acknowledge the contribution of music education to the development of America’s youth.
National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.
Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).
For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah(at)nafme(dot)org or 703-860-4000, ext. 216.
