Schools

Strike Up The Band - Blue Devils Have New Director to Lead the Way

UGA graduate takes the helm.

When the bell rings Monday morning at Norcross High School, the 240 students who are enrolled in the band program will be greeted by their new band director.

Lee Newman takes over the reigns of the Blue Devils concert and marching band program this year replacing Rudy Gilbert who for the past 10 years lead the band. Gilbert has moved to North Gwinnett High School.

Newman, the Director of Bands for the past eight years at the Elbert County High School, said he was ready to take on a new assignment and is excited about leading the Blue Devil's band program.

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"A friend contacted me about the Norcross High School opening and said, 'hey, would you like to send in a resume,'" said Newman. "It was a huge opportunity."

It wasn't long before Newman, his wife Katy and their 3-year-old daughter, Charlotte, were packing up and heading to Gwinnett County. Newman left behind a program that had 100 band students and a school population of 900 students. In his new job he'll be heading up a program that is nearly two and a half times as large and in a school with a student population of over 3,000.

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When we caught up with Newman he was busy moving into his new office, preparing for band classes and planning the half time shows for the upcoming football season.

Along with directing the 150 marching band students, Newman also leads a band class of 240 students during the regular school day. It's enough to keep more than one man busy and fortunately Newman has Doug Maloney who has been the Assistant Director of Bands for the past four years, to lend a hand.

It turns out the two men knew each other, but this is the first they have worked together.

Along with preparing and rehearsing concert music each weekday, Newman will be preparing the marching band in rehearsals for the half-time shows during football season.

The theme for this year's half time shows is "Destination Unknown" which will include "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas, "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago and a number of other well-known music pieces.

Half time shows have become big productions with props, choreography and equipment -- and the band will also be entering the show into a number of upcoming band competitions this fall.

Newman reported just in time to get his office organized before the rising 9th graders who will be marching this year, reported for a week-long rookie camp to teach them how to march and play music at the same time.

Then the following week all 150 marching band students reported for a week of rehearsals to learn the new music and the new marching formations for the half time show.

When we stopped in to chat with the new band director we couldn't help but notice that there was plenty of energy in the band room from a group of students who were taking a break after working on their flag routine for the upcoming marching season.

Newman says he enjoys their enthusiastic energy. "A mentor once told me that teaching high school makes you feel young forever," he said with a smile. "Their energy rubs off on you."

Newman comes with strong credentials. He earned his bachelors and masters in music education from University of Georgia. A trumpet player, Newman grew up in Grovetown which is located just outside of Augusta. His wife also takes on a new job as the Guard Instructor for Pope High School in Pickens County.


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