The Smithfield-Selma High School Band Program has a long and rich history. Mr. John R. Windley, fondly known as “Doc Windley,” led the band from its inception in 1969 until 1986. Those students who had the honor of being a part of one of Mr. Windley’s bands have great memories and stories to tell about the man who was an icon in the community. In January of 2009, a new band facility was opened at Smithfield-Selma High School, and was named after Mr. Windley. A plaque dedicated to the school’s first band director hangs in the entryway of the new Windley Hall.
After a period of several director changes, Mr. Brian Jones accepted the band director position at SSS in 2003. Mr. Jones quickly proved that he was up to the challenge, and provided a new direction for the band program. In the past nine years, Mr. Jones has led the band to some amazing accomplishments. The band has been a consistent participant in Bands of America Regional events. In addition, the Spartan Regiment has been named Grand Champion at many local competitions, and have finished in the top three in their class at nearly all of the local shows that they have entered since Mr. Jones’ arrival. Smithfield-Selma was given a second band director position in 2005, and Mr. Shane Benson joined the program at that time. He served as Co-Director of Bands from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, Mr. Jason Heard took Mr. Benson’s vacant position as Co-Director of Bands at SSS. Mr. Heard served as co-director from 2007 to 2010, leaving to accept a position at the new Cleveland High School. Unfortunately, with Mr. Heard’s departure, the band program lost its second director position. However, under the incredible leadership of Mr. Jones, the program continues to be one of the best bands in the state, and will continue to thrive despite any adversity.
Mr. Jones has also expanded the program in his time with the band to include not only marching band, concert programs, and jazz band, but also Winter Guard, indoor percussion, and Percussion Theater. The band program provides a wide variety of opportunities to its students, while still keeping costs to students significantly lower than other area programs offering the same opportunities. The goal of the band program is to provide students with constructive outlets in which they not only learn how to play an instrument or toss a rifle, but also learn life lessons that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. The friendships and memories students make during their time in the band program at SSS are not likely to soon be forgotten.