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New band directors hit the ground running
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| Frank M. Witowski Jr./Daily Press Richie Williams and Jennifer Chitmon, new band directors at Paragould High School, work together on sheet music. |
By FRANK W. Witowski, Jr
fwitowski@paragoulddailypress.com
They’re marching to the beat of another drum.
On June 21, Paragould High School band students and their parents had the opportunity to meet with the new band directors Richie Williams and Jennifer Chitmon for the first time. And now band practice season is under way.
“I’m just thrilled with the support we’ve received from the community, administrators, students, boosters and business owners,” Williams said. “We’re looking forward to a successful year and continuing the Paragould High School band’s reputation for excellence.”
Williams was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. but moved with his family to Paragould in 1990. Williams said he started band at Marion Junior High during the sixth grade. But from seventh grade to 12th grade, he was under Trey Reely and Terry Hogard’s leadership. His instrument is the trumpet.
Williams graduated with the Ridge Crest High School class of 1996. “I’m taking an extra step with every aspect of the Ridgecrest program to ensure we push the kids and the program even farther than they’ve ever been.”
He was a sales supervisor at the 7 UP/RC plant for five years and finished his education classes at night. Williams is currently working on his Master’s Degree at Arkansas State University.
Before coming to PHS, he served as assistant band director at Westside High School in Jonesboro. He is the music director at West View Baptist Church and said he was the voice of Arkansas State University’s women’s athletics.
Williams has been married to Heather [Banks] from Magnolia for five years, and the couple have a 19-month old daughter named Dixie.
Chitmon, who serves as junior high band director, was born in Knoxville, Tenn. She started taking band when she was enrolled in sixth grade in Henderson, Tenn. Her instrument is the clarinet. Chitmon graduated at West Memphis High School in 1995. She then attended Arkansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education. She taught a year at Blytheville Junior High for a year and then attended graduate school in Fayetteville.
“That’s where my husband and I met,” Chitmon said. She then followed her husband Kasey’s career and the couple started a family which now includes Sydney, Alex, Ethan and Kelsey Grace. While they were living in West Memphis, she taught at St. Micheal’s Catholic School. She taught private music lessons when they were living in Omaha, Neb. After Williams was hired as the high school band director, he contacted Chitmon who was a classmate of his in college.
“We were good friends in college,” Chitmon said. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to work together again because we know each other’s teaching styles. We get to hit the ground running.”
Williams said they’re taking a family approach as band directors as both have spouses who were involved in high school band. Williams’ wife Heather will be working with the Color Guard while Chitmon’s husband Kasey will be working with the low brass instruments.
Williams said they have new ideas for the Paragould band and will be returning some old traditions as well. Williams and Chitmon hope they can help the band continue to be “Paragould’s best in sight and sound” as their band slogan says.
On June 21, Paragould High School band students and their parents had the opportunity to meet with the new band directors Richie Williams and Jennifer Chitmon for the first time. And now band practice season is under way.
“I’m just thrilled with the support we’ve received from the community, administrators, students, boosters and business owners,” Williams said. “We’re looking forward to a successful year and continuing the Paragould High School band’s reputation for excellence.”
Williams was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. but moved with his family to Paragould in 1990. Williams said he started band at Marion Junior High during the sixth grade. But from seventh grade to 12th grade, he was under Trey Reely and Terry Hogard’s leadership. His instrument is the trumpet.
Williams graduated with the Ridge Crest High School class of 1996. “I’m taking an extra step with every aspect of the Ridgecrest program to ensure we push the kids and the program even farther than they’ve ever been.”
He was a sales supervisor at the 7 UP/RC plant for five years and finished his education classes at night. Williams is currently working on his Master’s Degree at Arkansas State University.
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Williams has been married to Heather [Banks] from Magnolia for five years, and the couple have a 19-month old daughter named Dixie.
Chitmon, who serves as junior high band director, was born in Knoxville, Tenn. She started taking band when she was enrolled in sixth grade in Henderson, Tenn. Her instrument is the clarinet. Chitmon graduated at West Memphis High School in 1995. She then attended Arkansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education. She taught a year at Blytheville Junior High for a year and then attended graduate school in Fayetteville.
“That’s where my husband and I met,” Chitmon said. She then followed her husband Kasey’s career and the couple started a family which now includes Sydney, Alex, Ethan and Kelsey Grace. While they were living in West Memphis, she taught at St. Micheal’s Catholic School. She taught private music lessons when they were living in Omaha, Neb. After Williams was hired as the high school band director, he contacted Chitmon who was a classmate of his in college.
“We were good friends in college,” Chitmon said. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to work together again because we know each other’s teaching styles. We get to hit the ground running.”
Williams said they’re taking a family approach as band directors as both have spouses who were involved in high school band. Williams’ wife Heather will be working with the Color Guard while Chitmon’s husband Kasey will be working with the low brass instruments.
Williams said they have new ideas for the Paragould band and will be returning some old traditions as well. Williams and Chitmon hope they can help the band continue to be “Paragould’s best in sight and sound” as their band slogan says.
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| Tech Marching Band trophies available to former members |
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