Press release from Asheville City Schools:
Mike Wilson has been named the Interim Band Director for Asheville High School and the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville. He will meet with high school band students on Wednesday, March 6 before officially beginning his new position on Monday, March 25. Additionally, there will be a meet and greet for families and the community to meet Willson. This date and time will be announced in the near future.
Wilson will serve as Interim Band Director until the end of the current school year. Also, he will serve on the interview committee for the next Band Director along with Asheville Middle School Band Director Amy Shaffer.
“My focus is coming in and working with students to get them through the rest of the school year,” said Wilson. “I’m very excited to be there and look forward to working with the band students at Asheville High School. ”
No stranger to Asheville, Wilson taught for 30 years including the last 18 years as T.C. Roberson High School’s Band Director before retiring in July 2015. During his tenure in Buncombe County, Wilson’s concert bands performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center and Atlanta Symphony Hall. Similarly, his marching bands participated in many contests throughout North Carolina and South Carolina as well as parades in Asheville, Atlanta, Chicago, Gatlinburg and Disney World.
Prior to his time at T.C. Roberson High School, Wilson taught at Andrews High School, Robbinsville High School as well as Brevard Middle and High Schools.
A native of Burnsville, Wilson graduated from Mountain Heritage High School in Yancey County, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Mars Hill University as well as a Master of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. Additionally, he holds membership in the American School Band Directors Association, the North Carolina Music Educators Association and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association serving as president from 2013-2015.
In regards to his new position in Asheville City Schools, Wilson is very eager to be part of the Cougar Band Program. “If you do something for 30 years then quit cold turkey, you really miss it. I’m excited for another opportunity to get back in the classroom and play, especially at Asheville High School where I student taught back in 1985.”
Additionally, for the past two years, Wilson has assisted Asheville Middle School’s Amy Shaffer in creating an AMS Honor Band, helping put together master classes and concert performances at the middle school level.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about being there for the students,” he said.
When he’s not attending musical performances across Western North Carolina, Wilson enjoys working in the Griffing Boulevard Rose Garden Park. He also likes to spend time visiting his parents and traveling when time permits.
Please join us in welcoming Mike Wilson as the Interim Band Director of Asheville High School and the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville.
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