Kurry John Seymour
Educator/Performer/Guest Speaker
ad5y6x@r.postjobfree.com
Academic History
Master of Music M.M. Performance/M.ed
(Concentration: Band/Percussion/Multicultural Music) May, 2003
West Virginia University-Morgantown West Virginia
Bachelor of Music Performance B.M.
(Concentration: Music Education/Percussion)
May, 2000
West Virginia University-Morgantown West Virginia
Certification Areas
• Highly Qualified “Advanced Arts” Music in the State of SC
• Certified gifted and talented educator
• Whole brain teaching
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Teaching, performing, composing, and administration experience in the following:
• Public and private grant writing
• Program start up, design, and recruitment
• Program start up curriculum development
• Budget management
• Staff Coordinator (public school and higher education)
• Leadership through music and the arts
• K-12 Music and fine arts teacher (6 years)
• Higher education music and fine arts teacher (16 years)
• Conducting (multiple ensembles)
• Indoor drumline
• Steel band arranger/director
• Japanese taiko music
• Brazilian music
• African drum and dance
• Drum set (public school, Higher Ed, and Performing)
• Orchestral percussion (public school, Higher Ed. and performance.
• Chamber ensembles
• Solo marimba and large and small percussion ensembles
• Marching band
• Drum and bugle core (Instruction and Performance)
• Wind ensemble
• Concert band
• Jazz band
• Athletic bands
• Choir
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Founder of “The Purpose On Project” For more information about this amazing empowerment entity that focuses on building Community, Culture, Connections, and Communication Please visit www.KurrySeymour.com
Professional Employment (Public Schools)
Multicultural Music and Arts Director
Oakbrook Middle School ( 2015-Current)
Associate Director of Bands/Director of
Percussion/Multicultural Music and Arts Fort Dorchester High School/Oakbrook Middle School (Dorchester District 2 schools 2015- 2016))
Director of Multicultural Music and Arts/Music Educator
(2010-2015)
Multicultural/General Music Teacher Joseph R. Pye Elementary School (Dorchester District 2 2011-2015)
Associate Director of Bands Ashley Ridge High School
(Dorchester District 2 2012-2014)
All of the above positions were developmental positions for new start up programs or new schools from K-12 within my current employer: Dorchester District 2 Schools Summerville, South Carolina
Initial responsibilities included:
Develop a pilot multicultural K-5 music program
Develop multicultural ensembles district wide K-12
Chairing the music department for Joseph R. Pye Elementary school
Assist in all management, administrative, and teaching duties for the Ashley Ridge high school marching band
Staff coordinator
Create an afterschool program for grades 4 and 5 at risk students
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Procuring instruments for the district from all over the world to meet the needs of the authenticity of the Multicultural curriculum.
Develop a multicultural K-12 curriculum
Create and manage ensembles that are highly visible in the district and throughout the community
Maintain professional communications via Remind 101, Facebook, and conferences with parents, community
members, and business partners.
Seek business Partners in the community to support several district wide initiatives,
Professional Employment (Higher Education and
Collaboration Opportunities)
Associate Director of Bands/Director of Percussion Studies and Multicultural Music/Arts
(2003-2010)
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina
Initial responsibilities included:
Implement a new University marching band program (2003)
Recruiting students for the entire instrumental music program
Create/instruct the percussion section of the marching band
Implement a new percussion studio of 30-40 students which was nonexistent before being initially hired
Conduct and assist with all University instrumental ensembles-(Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber
Ensembles, Multicultural Music Ensembles, and Jazz Band.
Design and implement new curriculum in all instrumental areas.
Collaborate with University faculty members and ensembles.
Remain active as a contributor to ongoing committees and faculty searches
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Recruiting and retention responsibilities
My main responsibility was recruiting because my position began in June. By August 18, our department was requested to field a 120 piece marching band, the percussion department had 18 majors, the concert band and wind ensemble each had 60-70 players, and as a result our overall instrumental and music education department grew significantly.
These are the requirements that were established by our department and Dean of Humanities
Maintain a University Facebook page that instantly relayed messages to 8,500 people.
Update University “blackboard” site as well as University Bands site.
Create a professional University marketing booth at several state and national conventions.
Maintain a current database of possible recruits from high schools across the country.
Contact local and surrounding high school administrators to set up frequent visits.
Maintain a 60-70% recruitment status (60-75 students) for each upcoming season.
Initiate the means to create a University marching band of over 160 members in two years.
Initiate the means to create a University percussion studio of over 40 members in three years.
(All Requirements were met or exceeded)
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Additional responsibilities and achievements include:
Oversee all percussion/band activities
Manage percussion studio budget ($165,000)
Procure instruments for all ensembles (bids, P.O.’s etc.)
Preparing graduate and non-graduate students for exit recitals and auditions.
Mentor music education majors through student teaching and the entire practicum process.
Recruiting for the percussion studio, Marching Band, and instrumental music department locally and nationally
Teach the percussion pedagogy classes for music education majors.
Creating new curriculum
Produce a quality and diverse percussion concert each semester (recorded examples available at
youtube.com/kurryseymour)
Created a University Marching band of 120 members in one year
Created a percussion studio of 15-20 majors in first 3 years of service (From no prior existing program)
Teaching summer pedagogy classes
Perform and recruit with faculty ensembles
Write/Arrange music for Marching Percussion Ensemble
Write/Arrange Music for Percussion Ensemble
Write/Arrange Music for World Music Ensembles (5 total)
Coordinate Master classes and guest artist appearances
Maintain instruments and classroom areas
Co-founding Director of the “Spirit of Chanticleer”
Founding Director of Catalyst Percussion Group
Founding Director of University Percussion Ensemble
Founding Director of University World Music Ensembles
Co-Founding Sponsor/Advisor of Lambda Theta chapter of national band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi
Teach Undergraduate and Graduate Percussion Lessons Kurry Seymour 7
Developed distance learning course “Epiphany CCU”
Direct the CCU Pep Band
Direct the CCU Wind Ensemble
Courses Developed (Coastal Carolina University)-Founding Director for all ensembles listed below and Curriculum Designer. MUSC 124M University Marching Band
MUSC 124S World Music Module/Music Appreciation
o Steel Band
o African Ensemble
o Taiko Ensemble
o Brazilian Ensemble
MUSC 124E University Percussion Ensemble
MUSC 124D University Drumline
MUSC 100-400 Applied percussion lessons
MUED 661-01 Percussion methods
MUSC 512 Distance learning “Epiphany on line”
Courses Taught (Coastal Carolina University)
MUSC 101B Applied percussion
MUSC 112B Applied percussion
MUSC 211B Applied percussion
MUSC 212B Applied percussion
MUSC 312B Applied percussion
MUSC 412B Applied percussion
MUSC 124E Percussion ensemble
MUSC 124S World music module/Music Appreciation
MUSC 124P University Pep band
MUSC 124W University Wind Ensemble
MUSC 415P Percussion Pedagogy for Music Ed. Majors MUSC 124D Marching Percussion
MUSC 124M University Marching Band
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Faculty/Artist in Residence for “GATEWAY” fine arts program at the Rollings Middle School for the Arts. (2005- 2016)
Summerville, SC (Dorchester 2 school district)
Responsibilities include:
Overseeing collaboration projects and staff coordinator between, Music, Dance, Drama, Creative Writing, and Visual Arts.
Teaching all World Music Classes (Steel, Taiko, Brazilian, West African drum and dance, and Indian ensemble).
Teach daily workshops to gifted and talented students
Audition students for scholarships
Produce a final concert for parents and family to view showcasing the two week GATEWAY experience.
Prepare and assist with all grant initiatives
Adjunct Faculty (1999-2003)
Alderson Broaddus College
Philippi, West Virginia
Responsibilities included:
Teaching percussion and non-percussion majors private and group lessons
Teaching percussion pedagogy course for music education majors and minors.
Maintaining percussion instruments for all areas and ensembles.
Preparing graduating students for senior recitals and graduate auditions.
Graduate Assistant (2000-2003)
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
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Responsibilities included:
Teaching 18 University percussion students (private lessons)
Instruct the University steel band ensemble
Instruct the University sophomore percussion ensemble
Percussion Coordinator for the Pride of West Virginia University Drumline (6 YEARS)
Percussion Coordinator/Instructor (1999-2002)
Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps
Fort Mill, SC
Responsibilities included:
Instructing percussion ensemble
Instructing/rehearsing full drum corps
Writing music
Coordinating rehearsals with staff members
Managing day to day needs of the corps members
“PURPOSE ON PROJECT” Presentations-Lectures-Guest
Performances
SC Electric State Cooperative (2016) “Purpose on Session: Key note Speaker “Leadership, Community, Culture and Collaboration will always eclipse strategy.”
River Bluff High School (2016) “Guest Artist/residency” Speaking sessions on Leadership, Community, and
Leadership within a functional band community.
Dorchester District 2 (2015 District Wide Professional Development) The heart of Arts/Creating Community within your classroom.
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Boeing (SC PLANT) (2015) Presentation “The Arts Make the Difference in our Community”
Clemson University (2014) “Guest artist/residency” Clinic sessions with the University Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble and Private Lessons.
Anderson University (2014) “Guest
artist/residency/Lecturer” Percussion Ensemble
Featured Performance/Lectures on “Practicing with a purpose” and “Multicultural Music Education K-12
South Carolina Day of Percussion (2013) “Practicing with a Purpose” Guest Conductor/Artist in residence.
South Carolina MENC (2/2011): Presentation with the Windsor Hill arts infused elementary school-African drum and dance ensemble.
Dorchester Two Schools (Spring 2011): Whole Brain Teaching strategies for music educators.
Artist in residence at Knightsville Elementary in Summerville, SC (Spring 2011): Implementing
Multicultural Music and Arts within the K-5 curriculum.
Artist in residence at Windsor Hill “arts infused elementary school” in Summerville, SC (Spring 2011): African Drum and Dance within the S.T.E.A.M. K-5
curriculum.
The Abiding Village Art Studio in Myrtle Beach, SC
(2009- 2010): Leadership via Music
Bloomsburg University (Spring 2010): Guest lecturer and performer with the BU African Ensemble. (RECITAL
PERFORMANCE)
Clemson University (Spring 2010): Guest lecturer with the Clemson Steel Band.
Greenville University (2/2009): Presentation-The University Steel Band.
South Carolina MENC (1/2009): Presentation-Teaching music from the neck down. (RECITAL PERFORMANCE)
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Blythewood High School (2008-2010):Guest Artist/ Performance-Steel Band/World Music
Guest lecturer at the Charleston County Teachers Association (1/2009): The “Heart”of music.
Percussion adjudicator/clinician at the Percussive Arts Society international convention. (Fall 2007)
Guest artist at the Canhoy Elementary Steel Concert in Charleston, SC. (Fall 2007)
UNCG Greensborough (Fall 2007): World Music lecture.
CCU Summer Arts Academy (2003-2007): Guest artist- World Music
Guest artist at the Virginia Quest Academy (2003-2010)
Guest artist for the Charleston gateway music
conference (2006-2010): Percussion/World Music
South Carolina Day of Percussion (Spring 2006): CCU Percussion Ensemble featured performance and lecture. Epiphany Coastal Carolina University: The roll of a college indoor percussion ensemble.
WGI International Competition: Coastal Carolina
University Indoor Drumline (2005-2006)
Mannette Steel Drum International Convention
(Summer 2006): The Engine room and its function.
South Carolina day of Percussion (Spring 2004):
Fundamentals of percussion.
Clemson University (Fall 2002): Lecturer-The modern steel drum ensemble.
Ohio University (Fall 2002): Lecturer-The modern steel drum ensemble.
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Publications/Recordings
• Developing an authentic on-line community (PAS – Percussive Arts International Journal 2014)
• Coastal Carolina University Steel Band CD (11/2008)
• Featured artists on CD recording for Dr. David Bankston
(2007)
• Featured artist on CD recording with world renown bass guitarist Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten (2007)
• Featured artist on Mannette Steel workshop CD (2006- 2008)
Commissioned music arranger/composer for the Following: o Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (SC)
o West Virginia University (WV)
o Coastal Carolina University (SC)
o Alderson Broaddus College (WV)
o Joseph R. Pye Elementary (SC)
o Oakbrook Middle School (SC)
o Aynor High School (SC)
o Loris High School (SC)
o Morgantown High School (WV)
o Nitro High School (WV)
o Epiphany Indoor Ensemble (SC)
o Blue Valley High School (KS)
o Summerville High School (SC)
o Fort Dorchester High School (SC)
o Ronald Reagan High School (TX)
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Performances (all listed performances by invitation or audition)
Featured performer with the Charleston SC, Wind Symphony
(2016)
Featured Artist for the Grand opening of 3 Boeing Locations in Charleston SC, (2011, 2012, and 2014)
Featured performer at PASIC 2011 with Casey Cangelosi
Percussion soloist for faculty recital Victor Wooten/Steve Bailey (2008)
Performance with Carrie Underwood/Keith Urban in concert in Charleston, SC. (2008)
Marimba soloist with the Coastal Carolina University wind ensemble (2006)
Coastal Carolina Faculty Jazz Ensemble (2005-2008)
Marimba soloist with The Myrtle Beach Master Chorale
(2006)
Drum set with Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten (2006)
Guest performances with the Long Bay Symphony (2003- 2009)
Guest artist/performer in Moscow, Russia with Steve Bailey for and International music festival (2005)
Solo marimba performance at Coastal Carolina University for percussion position audition (2003)
Soloist at PAS day of percussion (2004)
Soloist and Composer for European tour with the West Virginia University Theatre Department (2000)
Soloist at PASIC international convention (1998)
Soloist at MENC international convention (1998)
Midwest International Performance (1998)
Member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (1991- 1994)
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Coastal Carolina University Marching Band/Percussion Performances:
o Clemson University (2009)
o Penn State University (2008)
o SC lower state championships (2008-2009)
o WGI International Competition, Dayton Ohio (2005- 2006)
o Disney World Magic Music Days (2003)
o Loris Band Day (2003, 2004, 2005)
o Mid-Atlantic Contest of Champions (2003, 2004)
o Socastee Beach Band Blast (2003)
o SC Band Directors Association 2A/4A Lower State
Marching Contest (2005)
o USS Yorktown Patriotic Celebration (2005)
o CCU Fall Gala (2003, 2005,2008, 2010)
Professional Affiliations and Awards
Honors District Teacher of the year (2017) Dorchester District 2
Teacher of the year (2017) Oakbrook Middle School
South Carolina Percussive Arts Society Chapter President
(2007-2010)
Teacher of the Year 2011 Dorchester District 2 Joseph R. Pye Elelmentary
Coastal Carolina University Distinguished Faculty/ Professor of the year 2009
Sudler Trophy Winner with the West Virginia University Pride of West Virginia Marching Band (1997)
Percussion Arts Society Member
MENC Member
South Carolina Director of Bands Member
NAFME Member
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Dynasty Artist
Zildjian Artist
Vic Firth Educational Artist
Remo Artist
Steel Pan Store nationally recognized artist of the year Corporate Endorsements
Vic Firth sticks and Mallets
Zildjian Cymbals
Remo Percussion
Dynasty Percussion
Thomas Stave Drums
The Steel Pan Store
On-line video of performing ensembles and lecture/teaching examples: Available at www.youtube.com/kurryseymour Professional References
Larry Barnfiled
Former Dorchester District 2 Fine Arts Coordinator 843-***-****
Dr. Tim Peterman
Former Director of Percussion West Virginia University 843-***-****
Dr. Paschal Younge
Director of World Music
University of Ohio
Steve Bailey
Director of Bass Studies
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Berklee College of Music
Dr. Paul Buyer
Assistant Chair of Music/Director of Percussion Studies Clemson University
Dr. Chris Tanner
Director of Steel Band Studies
Miami University of Ohio
Please visit this site for testimonials:
http://www.kurryseymour.com/testimonials/
For more information and contact resources please contact Kurry Seymour at: 843-***-**** or ad5y6x@r.postjobfree.com