Band Information
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Class of 2020 | ||
Dr. Richard Akers, President | Jan Jackson | Bob Lowder, Pres. Elect |
Class of 2021 | ||
Tom Balsom, Secretary | Reeves McGlohon | Prissy Ballenger, Treas. |
Class of 2022 | ||
Kyle Rogers | David Poston | Chris Ritch |
John Gunter 2012-Present
You don’t have to watch John Gunter lead the Gaston Symphonic Band to know he’s a passionate conductor. You only have to listen to the musicians he directs during a performance. “My idea is not to be that guy that stands up there and just waves his arms but to let my emotion and what I’m feeling come through in the way I conduct and for that to come through in the music,” Gunter said. John Gunter previously served as assistant director under Julius Barkley before assuming band leadership last summer. He said the role comes with a certain amount of pressure and expectation. “Some of the best band directors in our county have been directors of this band. Some of the best musicians in our county have been part of the band,” he said. “You’re stepping into a musical history of Gaston County when you become the director of the Gaston Symphonic Band.” His extensive musical background prepared him to fill the shoes of the directors that came before him.
Mr. Julius Barkley's first rehearsal in June, 2006 ended a twenty-
In August 2004, the Gaston Symphonic Band Board of Directors announced that Mr. Bob Hendrick would lead the band during the 2004-
A native of Nyack, New York, Hendrick graduated High School at Shelby and began his music education degree at Mid-
During Mr. Kirby's absence, Mr. Tim Hamilton was asked to serve as the interim Music Director of what had become known as the Gaston Symphonic Band. At the end of the 2000-
The Gaston County Community Band was established in 1993 after founding director, Mr. Seth Kirby, overheard two gentlemen at a swing band concert wishing someone would organize a community band for adult members. At that time, Mr. Kirby was band director at Mount Holly Junior High, so he had a place the new band could practice and the means to offer some equipment.
He got together with friends Leary Cloer -