UTM has recently welcomed Dr. Nola Jones to the Music Department.

Dr. Jones is the new Director of Bands at UTM. She is responsible for the marching band, wind ensemble, the pep band and the concert band.

Jones was born in Northern Mississippi where her parents were band directors. She attended Mississippi State University where she received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Later she obtained a Master of Music Education degree from Mississippi College. Jones went on to get her Doctorate of Musical Arts in wind band conducting from the University of South Carolina where she studied under Dr. William J. Moody.

Since then, Jones has had a successful career as a middle school and high school band director in both Mississippi and Tennessee. Prior to becoming the Director of Bands at UTM, she served as the Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Arizona University.

Coming to Martin was more than moving to just another city for Jones. Having taught band camps at UTM while in college at Mississippi State University, the relocation to Martin was like coming home.

“I am glad to be back in the South,” Jones said.

Accompanying Jones’ arrival, the campus should see a new energy from the marching band. Band members have made a new commitment to UTM and the band, she said. Armed with new music and a fanfare written just for UTM to accompany the fight song, there should be a new enthusiasm at UTM athletic events. She said that the band is very excited about the football team’s winning streak.

Maybe it has something to do with the new positive attitude coming from the band section of the bleachers.

“I am very excited to be at UTM. The students are wonderful. They work very hard and pursue excellence in everything they do. My colleagues and the music faculty have been extremely supportive as has the administration and the athletic department,” commented Jones.

Jones’ extracurricular activities are astounding as well. She serves as a judge and a consultant for Bands of America, Drum Corps International, and Winter Guard International. She is also involved in Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Music Educators Association, West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, National Band Association, College Band Directors national Association, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi.

You can check out Jones and her bands at UTM football games and different concerts which are held throughout the year in the Fine Arts building. For more information about the band and concerts, you can call the Fine Arts department at 881-7402, or get the schedule of concerts by checking out the Campus Calenders on the UTM home page.