Wes King Hired to Begin Band Program at Siena Heights

In June Siena Heights University hired Wes King to be its first director of Bands.

King, a native of Memphis, Tenn., recently graduated from the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Master of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting. During his time at Arkansas, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, assisting and conducting the Razorback Marching Band, Hogwild Pep Band, concert bands, jazz ensemble and concert choir.

King also attended Mississippi State University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He was a member of the wind ensemble, marching band, pep bands, jazz band, chamber ensembles and performed with the Starkville-MSU Symphony. He was also a founding member of a MSU student organization that participated in many volunteer music programs promoting diversity in the community and surrounding schools.

King previously served as the band director at Taylorsville (Tenn.) High School, and also has worked with the marching program at the Southern Baptist Educational Center in Southaven, Miss.

SHU approved a marching band program in 2011, and this fall the band debuted during the Saints’ first home football game Aug. 25. King directs the marching bands as well as organizes the concert bands as a music faculty member at Siena Heights.

King said he is actively recruiting new band members. He hosted a Band Day for prospective high school students on Oct. 13 during the home football game against St. Xavier (Ill.).

“Scholarships are available for every member of the marching band,” King said. “Students who play brass, woodwind, piano and percussion instruments are encouraged to audition, as well as students with color guard, dance or majorette experience.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Following Are the Other Full-time Faculty Beginning the 2012–13 Academic Year at Siena Heights:

Julie Barst—Assistant Professor of English

James Geistman Jr.—Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Karen Howatt—Instructor of Nursing

Lynn Klima—Instructor of Nursing

Natalie Lanese—Assistant Professor of Art

Milson Luce—Associate Professor of Biology

Patrick Mayer—Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Christy Mesaros-Winckles—Assistant Professor of English

Julius Nagy—Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Sheila Nowinski—Assistant Professor of History

Lynne Townsend—Assistant Professor of Social Work

Sister Pat Walter, OP—Associate Professor of Religious Studies

Erin Zerbe—Assistant Professor of Art