Ever since I can remember, I have been writing music. I premiered my first real composition, entitled “The Mysterious Island,” when I was 8 years old.

In the summer of 2018, I began my tenure as the Director of Bands at Shelby County High School (SCHS) in Columbiana, Alabama.

Yes, you read the title of this article correctly — please proceed with caution because this topic may offend most music teachers.

When I started at St. Michael’s Catholic Academyin Austin, Texas, about 10 years ago, I was faced with two challenges: low student program participation and school size.

Starting a new job is always stressful.