STRIKING UP THE BAND - RMHS DIRECTOR RECEIVES AWARD

For Rocky Mount High School Band Director Tremayne Smith, working with students is more than just a career, it’s his passion. Smith references the motto of the RMHS band program as “Setting the TONE of Excellence,” and his recent recognition as one of the top band directors in North Carolina, is only one of the many evidences that the Rocky Mount High School band program is on the rise.

Smith was recently announced as the recipient of the ENCORE Award, which is given by the American School Band Director’s Association, to a select group of band directors with fewer than seven full years of experience in the profession. According to the organization’s website, those selected for the award have demonstrated “great future potential as music educators and a desire to serve their district and state organizations.”

The North Carolina Chapter of the ASBDA nominated Smith for the award, and he will receive the recognition at the NCBA November business meeting at the 2013 NCMEA Conference "It’s been a remarkable year for the RMHS Band Program. This band program at one point was the best band program in the United States, winning multiple consecutive "Bands Of America" Championships in the 1980's,” said Smith. “With the new direction that this program is heading in, there is no doubt in my mind that we can't get back to that.”

Smith’s students respond positively to his leadership, which senior Branden Sumner said has not only shaped his passion for music, but his approach to other aspects of life. “Mr. Smith has influenced me to always follow my goals no matter where they might lead Smith joined the staff at Rocky Mount High School at the beginning of this year, and has led the school’s band students to a number of competitions, honors, and performances.

Competitions that the band has participated in this year, and received accolades for include the Jewel of Millennium Competition in which the band netted Superior and Excellent ratings; the Eastern District Music Performance Adjustication, in which the band scored a superior rating; and the annual North Carolina Showstyle Band Directors Association Festival, among others. Local appearances for the band include performances at the Down East Classic, Rocky Mount, Sharpsburg and Statonsburg holiday parades, as well as the Rocky Mount Senior Citizen games, and the USA South Conference spring tournament opening ceremony.

Smith said the success achieved by the band program over the course of school year has been. “I attribute this year’s success to my music mentor Erik Harris at Northern Nash High School, my friends and colleagues at Nash Central High School and Southern Nash High School, my supportive administration here at Rocky Mount High School, my fellow teachers, the dedicated parents but most importantly, to the talented young professional musicians that are my students.”