FC has gone through many changes this year. New students, new teachers, even a new principal. The band program is no exception. Last school year, former band director Harold Yankey retired and former assistant band director Briston Hatchell took a job at another school, leaving the students up in the air about who would be directing them this year.
In early summer, it was announced that band director Scott Cooksey would be coming over from Louisville Male High School to assume the head band director position, and Jacqueline Johnson would be taking the role of assistant band director. The teacher change has been a hard transition for some students, like sophomore percussionist Cash Owen.
“I had already gotten used to Mr. Hatchell and now that Mr. Cooksey has taken over he has a different method of teaching to get used to,” said Owen.
While some students feel that way, others, like senior flute player and color guard member Calie MacArthur felt upset about the transition – but does not think the teaching styles are that different.
“Mr. Yankey was my director for seven of the eight years I’ve been in band. I’ve become so close to him that it was hard to see him retire. I don’t really see the difference in teaching styles compared to [Yankey],” said MacArthur
Undoubtedly, music has made a major impact on Cooksey’s life. He took inspiration from his past teachers, who had also influenced him, and went forward into leading a new band of high school students.
“Music is an art form, but also a discipline. It takes years of dedicated study and practice to become proficient at performing an instrument. This level of commitment and disciplined approach transfers to all aspects of our lives and future success in any field or pathway you choose to pursue,” said Cooksey.
Both directors had switched districts to work at FC. Similar to Cooksey, Johnson had taught in Orange County, N.C. before moving back here with her family. She really liked the band program FC has and was happy to grab the opportunity of being an assistant director.
“[The band] always had a really rich history of being successful. When I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Cooksey about the position and the chance to work here, he really communicated that he had some big goals and big ideas to accomplish with the program,” said Johnson.
Cooksey and Johnson have a lot of goals for this year. For one, in past years, the band has only used sectional instructors for the marching season. This year, there will be section instructors in the concert band classes. This helps each section get the specific help they need.
“We wanna be competitive with some of the bigger groups. This band is capable of doing that, being really competitive with some of the top names,” said Johnson. “We wanna see the band accomplish as much as it possibly can.”
People create connections with their teachers and directors, so while students are getting used to a completely different set of teachers – not just in band – FC’s former directors will always have a special place in the band’s heart.
“I miss Mr. Hatchell’s sense of humor and how we were able to joke around with him differently than we are able to with our new directors,” said Stark.
With how much time the band spends with each other, students grow close, and tend to refer to each other as ‘family’. Many students, like eighth grade baritone Eleanor Marshall, have stated that they are looking forward to building bonds with Cooksey and Johnson and creating a special place for them in the band.
“I think just in general, the arts and performing arts are a great space for students to feel like this is their safe place,” said Johnson. “I want them to feel like they can approach me with anything. Whether it’s music-related or non music-related, I want them to feel like I’m in their corner.”