New SMMHS middle school band director Drew Buckner, left, and high school band director Shelby Walker are busy settling into their new positions.
Photo by Emily CrismanTwo new directors are joining the band program at Signal Mountain Middle/High School this fall.
Shelby Walker, the new high school band director, previously served as the band director at McMinn Central High School for six years. He now lives on Signal Mountain, where he has family. He said he feels lucky he found the SMHS job and no longer has to drive an hour to get to work.
Walker said the band program at SMHS has a good foundation and he plans to continue that success in his own style.
“I’m stern, but at the same time I like to have a lot of fun,” he said of his teaching style. “If I’m not having fun, they’re not having fun.”
The band is currently hard at work preparing for football season by practicing fight songs and classics such as the National Anthem.
“The kids are really great here,” said Walker. “I’ve really enjoyed working with them so far.”
New middle school band director Drew Buckner was born and raised in Soddy-Daisy, where he currently resides.
“When I decided to become a band director, my dream was to be in Hamilton County, because it’s where I grew up and that school system gave me so much,” said Buckner, who holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in musical education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
He taught all over Hamilton County while still in college and served on the board of directors for the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association for two years, he said. Buckner also marched with the Pride of the Southland marching band at UT for five years, during which time the group performed for President Barack Obama.