Recent VH1 Save the Music Success Story, Pretty Cool!

Neal Middle School: Durham, North Carolina

2011 VH1 Save The Music Foundation Grant Recipient 

Music Teacher, Kenneth Joyner shares how he started his music career at Neal Middle School and now is going back to his alma mater as a band director…

 

I grew up a very shy young man and mostly kept to myself. My parents encouraged me to try different activities like football and boy scouts in hopes to bring me out of my shell. I remember watching an episode of The Simpsons where Lisa Simpson met a saxophonist named “Bleeding Gums Murphy”. The scene of the two characters playing a beautiful and sorrowful duet filled me we awe and excitement. My mother, a grade school trumpeter and violist, suggested that I join band when I started the sixth grade at Neal Middle School. From that day, becoming a saxophonist was my primary objective while in middle school. 

 

Sure enough, band at Neal Middle School became the highlight of my day. I started my musical studies on clarinet, playing at all hours of the day. My first band director, Ms. Patricia, wrote “Very good tone” on my report card, further fueling my zeal for music. I reached my goal in the seventh grade, earning the right to play the tenor saxophone in band. 

 

High school helped me in improving my social skills. I became a section leader for the marching band and brought an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm to the position.   Band is one of the only places where I could let loose without feeling self conscious. While this energy received perplexed looks from some, it helped to galvanize my section to work harder.

 

My community was a constant source of support. My Uncle Trevor, an accomplished jazz bassist, worked with my grandparents in getting me two tenor saxophones to further my musical studies. Influenced by high school band and math teachers, Javanti Rogers and John Greene, I decided to pursue music education. My father and many of my fellow church members were pleased to learn I was following in their footsteps to become a North Carolina Central University student. After several amazing years, I marched with the NCCU Marching Sound Machine for the last time during the Tournament of Roses Parade with everyone at home watching!

 

Music education has given me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I know I cannot take for granted the love and encouragement my community gave me. As band director of Neal Middle, I now have an opportunity to bestow the same passion and love for music that was instilled in me long ago. It is now my turn to uplift my community and I couldn’t be happier. 

 

*Neal Middle School discontinued its band program in 2010 due to financial constriction. Thanks to VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant, Neal Middle School resurrected the band program and Mr. Joyner was hired as a full time band teacher