Myra K. Rhoden, DMA
Director of Bands
A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Myra Rhoden received the Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Music Education from the University of Alabama, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Fraschillo.
Dr. Rhoden joined the faculty of Fayette County High School in 2003 and is presently Director of Bands at FCHS, a position she’s held since 2007. Under her leadership, the Fayette County High School Band program has continued its long standing tradition of excellence with a highly competitive marching band and winter guard, three concert bands, a jazz band, and a percussion ensemble. The FCHS Wind Ensemble continues to perform the finest literature in the repertoire with concert presentations at the 2010 University of Georgia’s January High School Music Festival (JanFest) and the 2009 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah. The 2009-2010 Marching Tigers earned the school’s first “top 5” finish in a Bands of America Regional Championship, and the 2008-2009 Marching Tigers had a stellar season that included a performance at the 2009 New Year’s Day Parade in London, England, two contest grand championships, and received the school’s first class placement award for their performance at the 2009 Bands of America Super-Regional Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
Before joining Fayette County High School in 2003, Dr. Rhoden taught in the public schools of Alabama for nine years at the high school and middle school levels. She has received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence on two occasions, Teacher of the Year, and was presented the 1995 Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award, a national award given to one teacher in each state for an outstanding 1st year of teaching. She is also the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp, a summer band camp for 7th – 12th grade girls taught by successful, professional female music educators.
Dr. Rhoden serves as the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District 6 Band Chairperson and as a GMEA All-State Band Organizer. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern United States (SEUS) Honor Band Clinic at Troy University, served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Bandmasters Association, and is honored to be a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast. Dr. Rhoden performs with the Tara Winds Community Band and performed with the Southeast Alabama Community Band in Troy, Alabama. She is a member of the National Band Association, Women Band Directors International, Music Educators National Conference, and the Georgia Music Educators Association.