Title: Band Director
Company: Church Point Middle School
Location: MS/USA
Education: Master’s Degree, William Carey University (2022); BS in Music Education, Minor in Spanish, The University of Southern Mississippi
Career History: Band Director, Church Point Middle School (2023-Present); Teacher, Rural School, Alabama
David Ford, Band Director at Church Point Middle School, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of music and music management.
Mr. Ford began his accomplished musical journey at an early age, learning to play the piano at 8 and then the trumpet in sixth grade. In high school, his passion developed further under the guidance and knowledge of impactful teachers and a band director who introduced many innovative concepts he has utilized throughout his career. He ultimately continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi, which he found particularly enriching as he was actively engaged with his professors and participated in various ensembles. There, he had his first exposure to orchestral music and string instruments; the experience allowed him to perform in pit orchestras for two notable musicals, “Les Misérables” and “Little Women” and play with a marching band for St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland.
Wielding a Bachelor of Science in music education from the institution and a master’s degree from William Carey University, Mr. Ford served as a marching band director across several high schools in Williams, Mississippi, and taught at a rural school in Alabama for a year before becoming the band director at Church Point Middle School in 2023. There, he teaches sixth-grade, seventh-grade, and eighth-grade classes, including one on specialization music, and high school students within the district. When he arrived, the band program faced considerable challenges, including the lack of a leader and the impact of COVID-19, but was able to revitalize it from the ground up. Despite the band consisting mostly of beginners, he found passion and enthusiasm among the students to learn music.
Looking ahead, Mr. Ford is focused on enriching his band’s experiences, starting with their first concert evaluation in 2025, which will be an opportunity for growth and learning. Following this, he plans to introduce them to a marching band evaluation next year, allowing them to experience the camaraderie and excitement of a performance environment. He’s dedicated to ensuring that all students have fun with their friends, feel safe, and know they are in a supportive space that is free from judgment. His mission is to inspire them with the message that music is for everyone.
Outside his primary endeavors, Mr. Ford was active as a trumpeter for the Gulf Coast Wind Ensemble and a bass clarinetist for the Eunice Community Concert Band. He’s also been a member of the Louisiana Music Educators Association. Mr. Ford stays young in spirit as a fur parent to two cats, Dude and Gator.