BAND DIRECTORS & INSTRUCTORS

Jim Smith
Band Director

Houston High School Band Director Jim Smith has been teaching for twenty-six years, nineteen of which have been in Shelby County.  He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1981 from Mississippi State University and his Masters in Music Education from MSU in 1982.  He has completed several hours of additional course work beyond the Masters degree at University of Memphis and Cumberland University. 

Mr. Smith has garnered numerous highly notable awards during his teaching career.  Some of these honors are:  the 1985 Fayette County Teacher of the Year, the 1987 Outstanding Teacher Award at University of Tennessee at Martin, the 1990 Teacher of the Year awarded by Shadowlawn Middle School P.T.S.A., the 1999 Teacher of the Year awarded by the Houston High P.T.S.A., and recognition for excellence in teaching and directing at the Governor's School for the Arts.

In 2004 Mr. Smith was selected as the "Teacher Who Made a Difference," awarded by the Shelby County Board of Education.

Mr. Smith has served as facilitator at several in-service events at Houston High and chaired the music subject area committee in the original SACS report from the school in 1991.  He serves as judge, clinician and adjudicator for many band events throughout the mid-south.  He is a member of Music Educator's National Conference, West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and the Tennessee Music Educator's Association.

He and his wife, Amy, have been married for almost 27 years and have two daughters, Faith and Mary Ann.  He likes golf, his family, golf, reading, golf, and Shania Twain.

 

Michael Wilson
Assistant Band Director

Michael Wilson began teaching at Houston High School in the Fall of 2003.  He is from Tupelo, Mississippi, where he began his musical career at the age of 12 playing the French Horn.  In 2000 he graduated from Delta State University, Cleveland, MS, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.  While at DSU he was selected by the music faculty to perform on the annual Honor's Recital, a prestigious event.  He is currently in pursuit of the Master of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Memphis. 

The marching arts are Mr. Wilson's professional passion.  He was a member of the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Montgomery, AL, from 1995-1997.  In 1997 he was selected mellophone section leader.  In 1998 he was a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, Rockford, IL, also playing mellophone. 

Mr. Wilson serves as the Assistant Band Director at Houston High School.  During the marching season he assists in the planning and implementation of the marching band program.  During the concert season he conducts the Symphonic Band.  Also during the spring semester, Mr. Wilson is heavily involved in the Houston Indoor Percussion Ensemble, teaching and cleaning drill as well as providing creative ideas to the ensemble director.  He is also the General Music teacher at Houston High in addition to teaching band.  Prior to arriving at Houston High School, Mr. Wilson served as Head Band Director at Shannon High School in Shannon, MS.  He is a member of several professional organizations including WTSBOA, TMEA, and MENC.

He is married to a wonderful woman, Jan Wilson.  They live in Collierville and have a beagle named Scout.

 

Michael McCray
Drumline Instructor

Michael McCray is director of percussion programs for The Houston Band. Mr. McCray is the former marching percussion coordinator for the University of Memphis (1991-2002). Over the past 18 years, Michael has developed a sincere passion for providing quality instruction and leadership to young musicians throughout the Mid-South. Michael received his bachelors degree from the University of Memphis in organizational leadership and is also an accomplished music composer/arranger.

 

Color Guard Instructor
Marcus Brown-Adams

The Houston Band is pleased to have as its Color Guard instructor, Marcus Brown-Adams.  Originating from Pensacola, Florida, Mr. Brown-Adams brings a wealth of teaching and design experience to the Houston Color Guard.  With over 13 years of experience in developing dance and design skills with leaders in the Color Guard International field, Mr. Brown-Adams is an inspiration to the girls of the Houston Color Guard.  His has studied design and choreography with prestigious instructors in Florida, New York, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.  His teaching style includes not only skill and rigor, but a passion for excellence.  When asked about the Houston Color Guard, Mr. Brown-Adams reflects with the following, "this is a tremendous program that I am thrilled to see grow and prosper.  We are focused on building the skills of these young ladies as we build positive memories for the future."