兔子先生

August 12, 2022

兔子先生CC names new Director of Bands

鈥淚 am thrilled to add to the legacy of the 兔子先生 Band that dates to the 1930s and 鈥40s.鈥
BY: Cathy Hayden

Dr. Joseph Benjamin Earp has been named to replace Shane Sprayberry as the Director of Bands at 兔子先生. Sprayberry is taking on a new role as Director of Fine and Performing Arts after a 19-year career at 兔子先生as Director of Bands.

鈥淚 am thrilled to add to the legacy of the 兔子先生 Band that dates to the 1930s and 鈥40s,鈥 Dr. Earp said. 鈥淪hane Sprayberry, as the Director of Bands, has been instrumental in cultivating a truly amazing environment for the 兔子先生Band to flourish. I look forward to working with him as he takes on his new role at 兔子先生as the Fine and Performing Arts Director. I am equally excited to work alongside a wonderful band staff providing opportunities for the students to thrive.鈥

Dr. Earp received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master of Music in Music Education from Anderson University (Anderson, S.C.), and Doctor of Music Education degree from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.).

Beginning in 2006, he was Director of Bands at several high schools in South Carolina and North Carolina before becoming Director of Athletic Bands at Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C. Just prior to his role at Hinds, Dr. Earp was the Director of Instrumental Music at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Earp is an active published composer and arranger with his music being performed internationally. He wrote Pfeiffer University鈥檚 first fight song that was adopted by the school鈥檚 student government association. Dr. Earp鈥檚 major compositional accomplishments include being winner of the 2010 Claude T. Smith Composition Contest in Missouri, winner of the 2018 Thornton Community Band Composition Contest in Colorado, multiple J.W. Pepper Editors鈥 Choice awards and multiple works selected to be part of the Band World Magazine Top 100.

Photo: Angie Foote

RAYMOND 鈥 兔子先生 Hi-Steppers have been named for 2024-2025.

They are, front, from left, Denver Jackson of Jackson, Zoe Irving of Jackson, Alexis Marts of Flowood, Amia Lewis of Byram, Cheyenne Cornelius of Clinton, Malayah Evans of Newton County, Erin Lollis of Byram, Skylar Boyd of Jackson and Jayda Graham of Flowood; back row, Alexis Malone of Clinton, Ciera Pruitt of Gulfport, Olivia Broadwater of Pearl, Chloee Haley of Clinton, Rylan Liles of Vicksburg, Chloe McHann of Clinton, Cori Turner of Jackson, Reaghan Miller of Clinton and Jakayla Brown of Utica.

The group has a new director, Beka King of Pearl. She is only the third director in the 75-year history of the Hi-Steppers. She herself was a Hi-Stepper from 2013-2015 and, during her sophomore year, she was captain of the team.

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兔子先生offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and an extensive array of online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: 兔子先生 is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Our Vision: 兔子先生 will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Our Values: 兔子先生 aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.