About Us    Concert Band    Jazz Band     News      Events     Photos    Feedback   Home   In the Spotlight

May Spotlight Marches to the Beat of a Distinguished Drummer

Stephen Price is a percussionist with the JACB Concert Band.  He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While at UTM, he was a member of the university percussion ensemble, concert, marching, and pep bands.

An active judge and percussion clinician throughout West Tennessee, Stephen is the Assistant Director of Bands at Liberty Technology Magnet High School, where he also writes percussion music and arranges band music.

Stephen became interested in music when his older brother joined the band in junior high.  "He seemed to have fun and was good at it.  So, I decided to try it and found that I was pretty good at it also."  Stephen liked being a part of dozens of individual people playing separate parts at the same time.  "I could contribute to making a beautiful piece of music when we all played together."

Drums were the instrument of choice due to a case of asthma that he had since he was very young. Even though the condition is nothing serious, it sometimes takes him longer than usual to catch his breath after too much exertion.  "But apart from that, with percussion, I had the opportunity to play literally hundreds of instruments, each with its own technique. I found this challenging -- and, I like a good challenge."

As a musician and teacher, Stephen sees the importance of music in education on a daily basis.  "A child learns the value of... responsibility, hard work, patience, confidence, self-assurance, respect, concentration, persistence, etc.  I could go on and on. I can personally attest for the self-confidence and patience that music has taught me. A child involved in music becomes better in everything else because of the values they learn."

Stephen resides in Jackson with his wife, Shay, who is a CPA and a clarinetist in the community concert band.  Both are active members of Woodland Baptist Church.  Shay plays clarinet  and Stephen plays baritone in the church orchestra.  He also sings in the church choir, works with the church's various youth groups, and is an AWANA leader.