Local News - August 2003

Band director marches home

By AMY WADSWORTH, LTN Staff Writer

Dustin Stamey, the new band director at East Lincoln High School, experienced his first marching band camp last week along with his students.

Stamey, a Lincoln county native, started as band director at East Lincoln in May, replacing Neil Underwood, who had been the previous East Lincoln band director for 20 years. Underwood has left East Lincoln High School to teach music at the newly built North Lincoln High School.

Stamey said taking over the East Lincoln band was a little intimidating at first, especially following Underwood. However, he is glad that he did.

“I feel like the kids and I have clicked,” he said. “We are learning more about each other everyday.”

Stamey is excited about his first year on the job, which his first one out of college.

Stamey studied music education with a concentration in instrumental and vocal at Western Carolina University where he graduated in May.

“I think its pretty cool,” he said. “I never imagined coming back to Lincoln County, this is a pretty big job.”

Unfortunately, the marching band is a little smaller this year because of the school split, Stamey said. Several of last year’s band students have transferred to North Lincoln High School. Stamey’s staff is also burdened, as their time is divided between the two schools.

There are roughly 90 students in the band, 45 of which form the horn line.

He has several goals this year for his students.

“I want to make this the best small band in the area,” he said. “This is a good way to keep the kids involved in a good act and keep them out of trouble.”

Stamey said he thinks the art forms are very important in a child’s life.

“I know it was important in my life,” he said. “It helped shaped my character.”

Stamey has an extensive background with marching band. In high school, he was in the band at West Lincoln and then from there moved onto the band at Western Carolina. Stamey said he gradually climbed the ladder in college until he became staff coordinator at WCU, where he helped with the 240-member band.

“Bob Buckner, the band director at Western was a mentor for me,” said Stamey. “He really helped me to get where I am today; he has been wonderful.”

Fall rehearsals for the band begin this week in class and afterschool. Support for the band, care of the East Lincoln Band Boosters, is welcome. For more information contact Beverly King at 704-483-1643.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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