OUR DIRECTORS
OUR DIRECTORS
ccB director
DREW CARTER
Drew Carter has been the Director of the Charlotte Concert Band since the fall of 2012. He is also the Director of Bands at Cox Mill High School in Concord, North Carolina. His previous Cabarrus County appointments include Band Director at Jay M. Robinson High School and CC Griffin Middle School and Assistant Director of Bands at Central Cabarrus High School. From 2005 to 2010, he served as Director of Bands at Chapel Hill (North Carolina) High School, where his responsibilities included directing the concert band, symphonic band, percussion ensemble, jazz band, marching band, and pit orchestra, and overseeing the jazz combo program.
During his tenure at CHHS, the concert band, marching band and percussion ensemble received numerous Superior ratings at district Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) events in Levels IV, V, and VI. The CHHS jazz program was honored in February 2010 as the Outstanding Jazz Band and Outstanding Combo at the 33rd annual "Essentially Ellington" High School Jazz Festival. As a result, the students received an invitation to perform with the acclaimed North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
Mr. Carter was the Director of Bands at West Alexander Middle School in Taylorsville, North Carolina, from 2003-2005. While in Alexander County, he was an active performer with the Unifour Brass, Hickory Choral Society and Lenoir-Rhyne Concert Band.
Mr. Carter received his bachelor's degree in music (horn performance) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 and his master of arts in teaching degree from UNC-CH in 2001. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and South Central District Bandmasters Association. His bands have twice performed at the NC Music Educators Association Convention. He was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) in 2017. He and his wife Mandy live in Cabarrus County with their sons, Van and Levi.
During his tenure at CHHS, the concert band, marching band and percussion ensemble received numerous Superior ratings at district Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) events in Levels IV, V, and VI. The CHHS jazz program was honored in February 2010 as the Outstanding Jazz Band and Outstanding Combo at the 33rd annual "Essentially Ellington" High School Jazz Festival. As a result, the students received an invitation to perform with the acclaimed North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra.
Mr. Carter was the Director of Bands at West Alexander Middle School in Taylorsville, North Carolina, from 2003-2005. While in Alexander County, he was an active performer with the Unifour Brass, Hickory Choral Society and Lenoir-Rhyne Concert Band.
Mr. Carter received his bachelor's degree in music (horn performance) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 and his master of arts in teaching degree from UNC-CH in 2001. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and South Central District Bandmasters Association. His bands have twice performed at the NC Music Educators Association Convention. He was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) in 2017. He and his wife Mandy live in Cabarrus County with their sons, Van and Levi.
CCB ASST. DIRECTORS
DR. JOHN HERLIHY
John S. Herlihy, DMA, retired as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Northwestern St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Herlihy's responsibilities included symphonic band and jazz Ensemble. He also coordinated the wind, brass and percussion areas and the chamber music program. Additional teaching responsibilities included Instrumental Conducting, Secondary Instrumental Methods and supervising student teachers. Before Northwestern, Dr. Herlihy was a Supervisor of Performing Arts and Director of Bands at public high schools in Long Island, New York, and southeastern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Herlihy has maintained an active performance schedule as a conductor and freelance musician, performing with the Charlotte Concert Band, Twin Cities Praise Symphony, Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble, KCGO Big Band, Rutgers University Symphony Band, Suffolk County Music Educators Association Division III Symphonic Band, Atlantic Wind Symphony (NY), Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, C.W. Post University Symphony Orchestra, Montgomery County, PA Honors Band and New York Mid-Island Honors Band. He has conducted or performed in pit orchestras for numerous theatrical productions throughout Long Island, New York City and the Philadelphia region.
Dr. Herlihy holds a bachelor's degree in music education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in music education from Queens College CUNY, and a doctor of musical arts in music education degree with a cognate in conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. He holds association memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, National Band Association, and National Association for Music Education.
Dr. Herlihy has maintained an active performance schedule as a conductor and freelance musician, performing with the Charlotte Concert Band, Twin Cities Praise Symphony, Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble, KCGO Big Band, Rutgers University Symphony Band, Suffolk County Music Educators Association Division III Symphonic Band, Atlantic Wind Symphony (NY), Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, C.W. Post University Symphony Orchestra, Montgomery County, PA Honors Band and New York Mid-Island Honors Band. He has conducted or performed in pit orchestras for numerous theatrical productions throughout Long Island, New York City and the Philadelphia region.
Dr. Herlihy holds a bachelor's degree in music education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in music education from Queens College CUNY, and a doctor of musical arts in music education degree with a cognate in conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. He holds association memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, National Band Association, and National Association for Music Education.
JOHNATHAN GUNTER
Johnathan Gunter has served as director of the Gaston Symphonic Band since 2012. He is also the Worship Leader at Second Baptist Church in Mt. Holly and Band Director at Piedmont Community Charter School in Gastonia. He was previously the Band Director at Gaston Christian School.
Mr. Gunter holds a bachelor of music and worship leading degree from Lee University. He is married to Melissa, and they have two married daughters, Alinna and Valentina. The Gunters enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.
You don’t have to watch Johnathan Gunter lead a 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. I let my emotions and what I’m feeling come through in the way that I conduct and have that come through in the music,” Gunter said. Johnathan previously served as assistant director under Julius Barkley with the Gaston Symphonic Band before assuming band leadership 12 years ago. “Some of the best band directors and musicians in our county have been in this band,” he said. “I cherish the musical history of Gaston County and the opportunity to be a part of it as the director of the Gaston Symphonic Band.” We are honored to have him as a player and conductor as he shares his time between both bands.
Mr. Gunter holds a bachelor of music and worship leading degree from Lee University. He is married to Melissa, and they have two married daughters, Alinna and Valentina. The Gunters enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.
You don’t have to watch Johnathan Gunter lead a 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. I let my emotions and what I’m feeling come through in the way that I conduct and have that come through in the music,” Gunter said. Johnathan previously served as assistant director under Julius Barkley with the Gaston Symphonic Band before assuming band leadership 12 years ago. “Some of the best band directors and musicians in our county have been in this band,” he said. “I cherish the musical history of Gaston County and the opportunity to be a part of it as the director of the Gaston Symphonic Band.” We are honored to have him as a player and conductor as he shares his time between both bands.
SPENCER HINSON
Spencer Hinson taught music in North Carolina public schools for seven years, leading the middle school and high school band and orchestra while teaching music theory classes. Ensembles under Mr. Hinson's direction received Excellent and Superior ratings at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Music Performance Adjudication, Carowinds Festival of Music and numerous marching band festivals around the Southeast.
From 2018-2020 Mr. Hinson served as Director of Bands at Union Academy in Monroe, North Carolina, leading a band program for grades 6 through 12. Under his direction, the Union Academy Marching Band was invited to and performed in the 2019 Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.
From 2014-2018 Mr. Hinson served as the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Harnett Central High School in Lillington, North Carolina. In 2016 Mr. Hinson arranged and his students performed the "Band World Premiere" of "Disneyana" by Robert Sherman, Jr. This performance was a special request by Mr. Sherman to honor his late father's prolific work as a songwriter and composer for Walt Disney. Mr. Hinson's students performed this premiere on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Mr. Hinson earned a bachelor of music in education degree from Appalachian State University in 2013. While at Appalachian State, Mr. Hinson served as the conductor of the student-led Charity Chamber Orchestra and Drum Major for the Appalachian State Marching Mountaineers for four years. In 2011 Mr. Hinson traveled with the Marching Mountaineers to perform in the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade) in Madrid, Spain and afterward performed for the Mayor of Madrid by special request. Mr. Hinson is a member of the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Hinson continues to enjoy playing trombone around North Carolina. He has performed with the Tar River Community Band, Sandhills Orchestra, Raleigh Concert Band and Charlotte Concert Band.
From 2018-2020 Mr. Hinson served as Director of Bands at Union Academy in Monroe, North Carolina, leading a band program for grades 6 through 12. Under his direction, the Union Academy Marching Band was invited to and performed in the 2019 Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.
From 2014-2018 Mr. Hinson served as the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Harnett Central High School in Lillington, North Carolina. In 2016 Mr. Hinson arranged and his students performed the "Band World Premiere" of "Disneyana" by Robert Sherman, Jr. This performance was a special request by Mr. Sherman to honor his late father's prolific work as a songwriter and composer for Walt Disney. Mr. Hinson's students performed this premiere on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
Mr. Hinson earned a bachelor of music in education degree from Appalachian State University in 2013. While at Appalachian State, Mr. Hinson served as the conductor of the student-led Charity Chamber Orchestra and Drum Major for the Appalachian State Marching Mountaineers for four years. In 2011 Mr. Hinson traveled with the Marching Mountaineers to perform in the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade) in Madrid, Spain and afterward performed for the Mayor of Madrid by special request. Mr. Hinson is a member of the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Hinson continues to enjoy playing trombone around North Carolina. He has performed with the Tar River Community Band, Sandhills Orchestra, Raleigh Concert Band and Charlotte Concert Band.
