Our New Band Director

by Reynard Eaglin,Jr

Our new band director, Mr. Thaddeus Johnson, is a native of Sunset, La and comes to us from Beau Chene High. He has been in the business of teaching for ten years with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from University of Southwestern Louisiana and a Master's Degree in Administration Supervision from Southern University in Baton Rouge. Mr. Johnson has been the summer band camp staff coordinator for three years at Mississippi Valley State University and also a member of the band staff at Grambling State University for nine years.

Mr. Johnson has had a rewarding career in St. Landry Parish. He turned Beau Chene High School's marching band into one of national prominence, traveling and competing in numerous contests and competitions in Memphis, New Orleans, Atlanta, New York City, Washington, D.C., Winchester, Va, and Philadelphia, Pa.

To illustrate Mr. Johnson's concern and committment to teaching, he was selected as Teacher of the Year from St. Landry Parish and as Educator of the Year from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in 1993.

Mr. Johnson has had a sucessful career at Beau Chene and says, "All credit goes to God for all accomplishments and awards, because God is the light and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1: 5)

Mr. Johnson says that he has high hopes for N.C.H.S. and would like us to have the same type of marching band as did Beau Chene. "I would like to build strong feeder programs that will achieve similar accomplishments. I believe this is possible with the cooperation of the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students", Mr. Johnson said. Most of his day is spent working with the elementary students in Washington, Palmetto, and Morrow. He says that it is a joy to see children learn to play music; it gives them hope for a bright future.

Mr. Johnson has one class here at North Central during 5th period. He says that his goal is to expand on the musical knowledge his high school students has already gained and build a sense of pride in their band and school. Mr. Johnson said his transition was easy. He said, "I know some of the faculty here at N.C.H.S. and I also met some students that participated in the Upward Bound summer program. Also, knowing that I would be working under one of the best principals in the parish made it easy for me to leave Beau Chene."

Mr. Johnson is a member of numerous professional and social organizations, namely one which he is truly proud - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I would like to wish Mr. Johnson and the band a suceesssful and productive 1996-1997 school year.