Jack Eaddy Jr.
Director of Athletic Bands, Pride of the Mountains Marching Band | Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC, UNITED STATES
Jack Eaddy has earned a national reputation mentoring music directors.
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Biography
Jack A. Eaddy, Jr., a native of Orangeburg, S.C., is the director of athletic bands at Western Carolina University, where he serves as the director of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and conducts the Symphonic Band in the School of Music. Prior to his appointment at WCU, Eaddy served as assistant director of bands at McNeese State University and the University of South Carolina, where he assisted with athletic bands, including the Pride of McNeese Marching Band and the Carolina Band, as well as taught music education courses.
Eaddy earned the doctor of musical arts in wind conducting from the University of North Texas. He holds a master of music in wind conducting from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University. As director of bands at Oak Ridge High School, Eaddy developed a flourishing program that was recognized throughout the state of Florida for maintaining the highest standards in spite of the challenges that many of its students experienced. Eaddy received the Florida Music Educators Association Tom Bishop Award that recognizes a director in the state of Florida who has turned a program around, making a positive difference in a short amount of time.
Eaddy has presented at state and national music conferences, including the Midwest Clinic and CBDNA Southern Division and Athletic Band Conferences. As a conductor, some of his honors include being a participant in the U.S. Pershing’s Own Army Band’s conducting workshop and receiving 2nd place for the 2020 American Prize in Conducting. Eaddy is an active drill writer, arranger, adjudicator and clinician; and was a clinician at the inaugural National HBCU National Band Directors’ Conducting Symposium. Eaddy has earned a national reputation mentoring music directors and convenes two professional development seminars: Listen Up!!! score study sessions, and the Conductors’ reToolbox, as well as hosts a national podcast, "Tales from the Band Room," that focuses on strengthening music education programs in urban communities to have a lifelong impact on students. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha and Pi Kappa Lambda, Music Honor Society. Eaddy has contributed to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, published by GIA Music.
Accomplishments (4)
Meritorius Service Award, Western Carolina University Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
2022
Quarterfinalist, GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year
2020
2nd Place Award , The American Prize – Conducting Wind Ensemble Division
2020
Finalist , The American Prize – Conducting Wind Ensemble Division
2019
Education (1)
University of North Texas: DMA
Links (3)
Media Appearances (3)
WCU's marching band to add international performance to list of accomplishments
ABC 13 News online
2022-06-15
“It all came about because POTM has had memorable performances all over the U.S., but has never performed internationally,” said Jack Eaddy, WCU’s director of Athletic Bands. “Performing in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a chance-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and we’re honored to represent our university, community, region and nation on an international stage.”
Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will take its talents international
WCU Stories online
2022-06-15
“I know this will be the first trip internationally for many students and will provide them an opportunity to not only see things they’re studying, but to experience them, too,” Eaddy said. “We have a product that represents excellence, so we’re able to participate in amazing experiences. Invitations to perform like this also attract prospective students to attend WCU and join our program.”
Pride of the Mountains gets a new leader
The Sylva Herald online
2021-05-06
“To be a part of this program is unreal,” Eaddy said. “The Pride has a rich tradition of excellence and a long-lasting legacy. I have some big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to upholding the legacy that Bob Buckner and David Starnes have created for the program. I’m hyped.”
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