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Post by The Cats on Aug 7, 2020 17:59:26 GMT -5
"David Starnes, director of athletic bands and assistant professor in the School of Music within the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at Western Carolina University, announced his resignation Friday, Aug. 7. Starnes said he has accepted a position at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Georgia, where he was previously director of bands for 11 years.
Since 2011, Starnes guided thousands of WCU student performers to exceptional opportunities, including two invitations to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, special appearances at the Bands of America Regional Championships in Atlanta and St. Louis, two Grand National Championships, and guiding the first university band in the nation to host a United Sound chapter for special needs students."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2020 16:13:06 GMT -5
More behind the scenes then what most people know. Nobody leaves a 100k year band salary for public school unless you’ve been asked to leave. Coming from good sources.
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Post by WesternFan on Aug 10, 2020 17:18:29 GMT -5
I certainly thought it was unusual for a director of a very large, highly successful, high profile college band to return to the high school band he was hired from originally. It just don't smell right, and I know nothing of the internal working of the Pride of the Mountains or the politics involved. Don't even know if Starns was liked or disliked by those in power at the university.
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Aug 10, 2020 18:10:25 GMT -5
He never did move to Cullowhee. His home and family have always been in Cobb county. Maybe Western said move or leave. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. Maybe he missed his family. Who know? I had heard that lately he did not spend much time in Cullowhee.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2020 18:15:48 GMT -5
I have heard This from Multiple people in the band program that he was reported to the department of ethics and the dean of the fine arts. Multiple students complained of inappropriate behavior (At least 100+ complaints). The scary situation was nobody knew of him leaving almost up until the announcement was made. I believe Starnes was liked by the university due to the publicity he brought but WCU is also a university where if enough reports of misconduct are filed its time for you to go
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Post by catamountalum04 on Aug 10, 2020 19:08:12 GMT -5
I am not a band fan. I admit they are good but the thing that makes me dislike them is the fact band supporters/parents/band members make it seem that Saturdays in the Whee are to watch the band. I do not drive 3 hours every home game to watch the band. I have been at some many games where the parents are like hurry up football i am here for the band and then leave after the half. I thought David S was very arrogant and thought the same way. That the football game was not as important as the band. I did not feel he had the band supporting the football team well during the game
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Post by catamountfanatic07 on Aug 10, 2020 19:14:15 GMT -5
I have heard This from Multiple people in the band program that he was reported to the department of ethics and the dean of the fine arts. Multiple students complained of inappropriate behavior (At least 100+ complaints). The scary situation was nobody knew of him leaving almost up until the announcement was made. I believe Starnes was liked by the university due to the publicity he brought but WCU is also a university where if enough reports of misconduct are filed its time for you to go Yes this is what has been Said by multiple people within the program. Appears he was given a graceful exit
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Post by wcatradio75 on Aug 11, 2020 7:51:42 GMT -5
I am not a band fan. I admit they are good but the thing that makes me dislike them is the fact band supporters/parents/band members make it seem that Saturdays in the Whee are to watch the band. I do not drive 3 hours every home game to watch the band. I have been at some many games where the parents are like hurry up football i am here for the band and then leave after the half. I thought David S was very arrogant and thought the same way. That the football game was not as important as the band. I did not feel he had the band supporting the football team well during the game I particularly agree with you about the band not participating in football games. Think about the power that Alabama & Georgia bands provide during crucial moments of games. At WCU, we have the speaker blaring Crazy Train or "Stand up and shout!" However, the pep band at basketball games and Purple Thunder are great performances.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2020 9:51:13 GMT -5
As a band member, we’re told that most students only come to watch us perform. I do agree the band needs to do more with the football team. Anything related to this is purely related to athletics. They plan when we play during breaks and the music we play is already pre scripted by athletics. I wish we were more involved with football and game days but that is athletics call
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Post by wcatradio75 on Aug 11, 2020 16:30:20 GMT -5
As a band member, we’re told that most students only come to watch us perform. I do agree the band needs to do more with the football team. Anything related to this is purely related to athletics. They plan when we play during breaks and the music we play is already pre scripted by athletics. I wish we were more involved with football and game days but that is athletics call Maybe a new director will be more interactive with the new athletics director... Just a thought. You have a lot to be proud of with the band. Would like to see some tweaks.
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