An Ellijay native who once played trombone in the Gilmer High School (GHS) Band has returned to GHS as its new band director.
Aaron Garland, a 2000 GHS grad with a master’s degree in music, began working as band director this past summer. He participated in summer band camp and came on board to teach classes at the start of the new school year. His daily schedule also includes assisting with 8th grade band classes at Clear Creek Middle School.
“A symphony of pride and excitement reverberates through the heart of Ellijay as the town celebrates the return of one of its own,” said a GHS press release about Garland.
“With a storied journey in music education and a heart that beats for his hometown, (his) arrival marks a harmonious homecoming for both him and the community he’s rejoining.”
Garland, who was in band from sixth grade until graduation, studied under the direction of former local band directors Steve Calhoun (at GHS) and Joe Pflueger (at Gilmer Middle and Oakland Elementary School). Garland said those teachers also inspired him to pursue a career in music education.
“My band career started in the cafeteria of Oakland Elementary School, which was a kindergarten through 7th grade school at that time,” he remembered. “Mr. Pflueger would travel to Oakland as part of his workday to teach us band four days a week. For concerts, we would combine with the band students ‘in town,’ as we called it.”
Garland earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Alabama’s Jacksonville State University, a Master’s of Music Degree in Instrumental Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Music Education from Piedmont College in Demorest. In 2011, he began his teaching career in Jackson County and later worked as band director at Ringgold Middle School and assistant band director at Ringgold High.
Teaching a subject he loves at his alma mater feels like coming home, he confirmed.
“It’s great to be back in Gilmer County working with the young people in this community,” Garland said. “It’s been a great experience. I’ve had a lot of nostalgic moments. Being around these kids makes me think back to my experiences with band and where it all started for me. I’ve also felt a lot of good community support, and it’s been instant support. There are band parents I marched with who now have kids in the band. It’s been nice to have that instant support.”
Garland’s first time leading the GHS Band in concert was at an Aug. 18 home game in which the Bobcats faced Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High. This year’s halftime show, titled “BELIEVE!,” features an inspiring array of rock and pop selections including hits by Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, John Lennon and Journey, he said.
“It’s a positive message for our community, students and parents. We want to connect with our audiences and entertain the crowds that will see the band throughout this fall season,” Garland said. “We have a great staff, dedicated student leadership and a terrific team of band parents that’s really helping to make this year’s marching season a success.”
In March, Garland will take the award-winning band to Chicago to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“We are working on that trip and trying to raise funds for it now,” he said.