Teacher Feature: Hoggard Welcomes New Band Director

Hoggard High School’s music program is beginning a new chapter this year with the arrival of its new band director, Mr. Stephens. Following the retirement of the longtime director, Mr. Reed, the new leader brings both fresh passion and big hopes for Hoggard’s music program. 

Growing up around music, Mr. Stephens knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career involving it. Inspired by his father, who was also a musician and band director, he recalled, “Some of my earliest memories growing up were watching my dad conduct a band.” He also reflected on his own band experience; “When I joined the 6th Grade Band in middle school, I immediately felt that this was the path I wanted,” said Stephens. 

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2020 with a degree in music education. Shortly afterwards he began teaching at Myrtle Grove Middle School. He helped students at Myrtle Grove find and develop their musical passions. After about five years he felt ready to take his teaching to the next level, saying high school felt like “the next step” in his career. 

At Hoggard, Mr. Stephens hopes to continue and honor the program’s tradition while also helping it to grow. Some of his many goals include increasing the band size and retention. “In 5 years, I want to increase the size of the band to be what it was pre-COVID, or even larger. I want to connect with Hoggard's feeder middle schools and improve the retention from 8th to 9th grade band,” said Stephens.

His musical background is just as impressive as his goals. He is currently serving as the principal percussionist for the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. While percussion is his specialty, he also plays piano and guitar. Thanks to his band teacher training, he is proficient in nearly every instrument; “I can play every instrument in band at a beginner's level,” he said.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Stephens enjoys the outdoors and various sports. He describes himself as a passionate, but “mediocre,” golfer, and he also enjoys playing disc golf, hiking, and going to the beach.

When asked what he loves most about being a band director, his answer was quick and simple: watching students grow. “Band is unique because I get to teach the same students year after year. I get to see timid ninth graders grow into fantastic musicians and leaders by the time they are seniors,” he explained.

Mr. Stephens also shared some advice for his students, both current and future, saying, “You can do anything you set your mind to with hard work and discipline. That applies to band, but also to all parts of life. I know most of my students won’t become professional musicians, but I hope they become lifelong music lovers who take the lessons of discipline and teamwork with them.”

Mr. Stephen’s intense passion, dedication and experience shows that he is ready to take the Viking band program to the next level.