Brian Jones Director of Bands and Ensembles Mr. Jones grew up in Danville, Virginia and is an alumni of George Washington High School, where he was a leader and soloist in both the marching band and wind ensemble. He attended East Carolina University and graduated in 1992, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. In college, Mr. Jones received an opportunity to play trumpet abroad, and traveled to Menorca Spain to perform with an international youth orchestra. Mr. Jones has been a band director for the past 20 years. He began his teaching career in Duplin County at James Kenan High School, Warsaw Middle School, and E.E. Smith Middle School. In his first four years as director at James Kenan, the band program grew exponentially, from just 11 students to over 100 students in a school with a total enrollment of 415 students. Mr. Jones is currently in his 14th year as Director of Bands at Smithfield-Selma High School. The band has received numerous superior ratings at both concert and marching events during his tenure at SSS. The marching band consistently finishes 1st in their class in local competitions, and have been named Grand Champions at many of those contests. Additionally, his marching band won the 2013 USBands Group IV Open National Championship at MetLife Stadium in New York. In 2008, Mr. Jones started the school’s first winter guard, a group that has medaled at AIA Championships every year they have attended, and was a WGI World Championships A Class Silver Medalist in 2016. Mr. Jones also started Smithfield-Selma’s Percussion Theater, a percussion based variety show performed for the community each spring. Mr. Jones has positively influenced the lives of thousands of students who have come through his band programs. He leads with his heart, and has a talent for inspiring young people to be passionate about music and to work together for a common goal. The values and philosophies he instills in his students are life lesson they carry with them long after they graduate high school. Mr. Jones was a finalist for the 2016 Johnston County Flame for Learning Award, and has been recognized by both the school board and the Smithfield Town Council for his outstanding accomplishments and his commitment to his students, Smithfield-Selma High School, and the community. Mr. Jones was also selected as the clinician for the 2016 Southeastern District All-District Band. Mr. Jones lives in Clayton with his wife Trisha and their two sons Nolan and Cole. |
Shane Benson
Director of Bands and Ensembles Shane Benson grew up in Smithfield, North Carolina and is a 1994 graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School. He attended Western Carolina University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education in 1998. While at Western, Mr.Benson was a member of The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band where he was selected as a trumpet soloist in his freshman year, a trumpet section leader during his sophomore and junior years, and then Staff Coordinator his senior year. Additionally, Mr.Benson was awarded the Master of School Administration Degree from North Carolina State University in 2008. Mr.Benson is entering his 20th year as an educator having served the students of Johnston County as a band director, Dropout Prevention Specialist and an assistant principal. His ties to the Spartan Regiment dates back to 1990 - his freshman year at Smithfield-Selma. Shane Benson was awarded the “Leading With the Heart” award by Johnston County Schools in 2010. Mr.Benson is committed to the idea of helping young people discover their own individual value through service to others and a commitment to excellence. Mr.Benson lives in Four Oaks with his son Samuel and looks forward to expanding his family in the near future to include JoEllen, Sam, David, and Allison. |
Contact Us
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Brian Jones, Director of Bands and Ensembles
brianjones@johnston.k12.nc.us Leigh Anne Deans, Percussion Leader leighanne879@gmail.com John "Woodie" Woodall, Band Booster President woodiewoodall@gmail.com Doyle Woodall, Band Booster Vice President doylewoodall@johnston.k12.nc.us Angela Nealey, Treasurer angela_nealey@yahoo.com Christy Kennon, Secretary ckennon24@hotmail.com Joanna Crumpler, Student Accounts Manager crumpette75@gmail.com Linda Dextre, Webmaster ldextres@yahoo.com |
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