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Marching out – Decatur High band director leaving

Decatur

Marching out – Decatur High band director leaving

The Decatur High School Marching Band. Source: http://www.decaturband.org/
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The Decatur High School Marching Band. Source: http://www.decaturband.org/

The Decatur High School Marching Band. Source: http://www.decaturband.org/

The Decatur High band director is leaving at the end of this year.

Director Megan Williams sent a letter to parents on April 23 explaining that she would be moving to the soon-to-open Westchester Elementary School where she will be the school’s music teacher.

In her letter, Williams said,  “I wanted to take the time to let you know personally that I will not be returning to my position as band director at Decatur High School next year. The past five years have been a blessing in my life, getting to know all of you and teaching your children. We have come such a long way in a short time, and I have been so honored to be a part of growth of this organization. Your children are remarkable people and I am proud to know them.”

Williams first joined the school in 2009. According to the biography on the DHS Band Page, since that time,  “The band program has grown to over 120 members, received Superior Ratings in Marching and Concert performances, and recently had three students named to the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in Music. In addition the band has had an over 900% (2 in 2008, 19 in 2012) growth in members accepted to the Georgia District IV Honor Bands, as well as the first six students being named to the Georgia All State Band in over a decade.”

Here is the entire letter from Williams announcing her departure:

Dear Decatur Band family;

I wanted to take the time to let you know personally that I will not be returning to my position as band director at Decatur High School next year. The past five years have been a blessing in my life, getting to know all of you and teaching your children. We have come such a long way in a short time, and I have been so honored to be a part of growth of this organization. Your children are remarkable people and I am proud to know them.

I did not come to this decision lightly. The reason I am leaving is completely personal. The rigors of this position do not match where I want to be with my family life and as I pursue a family of my own, the time commitment required to do this job well would be impossible. I will remain with the City Schools of Decatur next year as the music teacher at Westchester Elementary School. I am very excited about this new chapter of my life, but very sad to leave all of you.

If you have any questions about any of this, please don’t hesitate to contact me. And by all means, please keep in touch. It is one of the great joys in my life finding out all the awesome things my former students are involved in.

Ms. McKain has asked me to be be involved in the hiring process for a new band director, along with the band parent association. We will ensure that we find someone great to continue building the band program at Decatur High School.

Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children and be involved in their lives
Megan Williams

Megan Williams
Director of Bands/AP Music Theory
Decatur High School
www.decaturband.org

“Those who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage more than criticize.” -Elizabeth Harrison

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