South Jones High School Band Director Artie Adams has been named the 2009 Most Outstanding Bandmaster for the State of Mississippi.
This honor was voted on, and presented to him, by his peers on Dec. 11 at the annual Band Directors’ Convention in Tupelo.
“The state band directors just recognized what we at South Jones have known for years,” said Tommy Branch, supervising principal. “Not only is Mr. Adams an inspiration to his students, but also to the school and community as well. Obviously his influence reaches far beyond our borders as this (honor) was voted on by his peers. We’re all better for knowing and working with Mr. Adams.”
Adams is in his 17th year as director of bands at South Jones High School. He attended Jones County Junior College and earned his undergraduate and master of education degrees at The University of Southern Mississippi.
For Adams, the honor was most unexpected.
“I had no idea (this was going to happen),” he said. “I was very surprised that they would choose me as the recipient of this award. It is very humbling to me for my peers from across the state to recognize the work being done at South Jones.”
In contrast to Adam’s surprise at receiving this award, his SJH colleagues were not surprised at all.
“Artie Adams is the hardest working band director I’ve ever seen,” said Cecil Hicks, SJH head football coach and athletic director. “On behalf of the athletic department, I want to congratulate him on being selected as the top band director in the state of Mississippi.”
Branch agreed, adding, “Mr. Adams is a tireless worker and the proof is in the product he puts on the field and in the concert hall.”
Adams wanted to thank several people whom he feels have contributed to having a successful band program at SJH.
“This is not an individual award,” Adams said. “In my view, this is a team effort, and I give credit to Craig Miller (assistant director), the students and administration of South Jones High School. We also have a great band booster club that provides tremendous support for our program.”
During his career, Adams has received numerous honors including the A. E. McLain Outstanding Young Band Director Award for Mississippi in 1993 and Outstanding Director for the District Five Band Directors’ Association in 1999.
He has been a Jones County AEE Award of Excellence in Education recipient, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Jones County, Who’s Who among American Teachers and STAR Teacher for South Jones.
He was Teacher of the Year for South Jones High School for 2007.
Adams worked on the Mississippi Lion's All-State band staff as percussion instructor in 1998 and 2001 and as concert director for the 2007 International Lions Parade Champions in Chicago. He has served two terms as president of the Southeast Mississippi Band Directors’ Association.
Adams is often an adjudicator and clinician for band contests and clinics around the State of Mississippi.
Under Adam’s direction, the South Jones High School Band has built a reputation as one of the most outstanding performing groups in the state of Mississippi.
For the past 17 years, SJH has consistently received superior ratings and won first place awards in marching, concert and sight-reading at festivals and contests in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
South Jones finished in the top five in the Mississippi Class 4A Marching Band Championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
This past May, the marching Band of Braves represented the State of Mississippi in the 2009 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
During the past 17 years, South Jones has consistently placed numerous students in All-Star and All-State Bands. South Jones Band students have performed in Boston, San Diego, New York, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Rome and Vienna, Austria.
Away from school activities, he is a member of the Hattiesburg City Band and he is an active member of his church choir. In his leisure time, Adams enjoys running in 5K races and riding his motorcycle. He his wife, Sheila, have two children, Andrew and Abbey.
“On behalf of everyone at South Jones, I would like to congratulate Mr. Adams on this award and thank him for everything he does for our school,” Branch said. “He is very deserving of this recognition.”
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SJH’s Adams named 2009 Outstanding Bandmaster
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