The East Mississippi Community College Mighty Lion Band is under new leadership with the appointment of Chris King as the ensemble’s new director.
King served as an assistant director of the EMCC Band for six years and was appointed director at the beginning of the spring semester. Prior to working at EMCC, King served as an assistant director of bands at Vanderbilt University. He has also served as band director of Vicksburg High School and Quitman High School. An Aberdeen native, he attended Itawamba Community College and holds a bachelor’s in music from the University of Mississippi and a master’s in music with emphasis in jazz from Auburn University. His primary instrument is trumpet.
He replaces Steve Stringer as director.
King told the SDN about the new responsibilities he faced as director.
“As the assistant, you know so much that is going on, because you’re working with them and you’re taking responsibilities within the program and ownership, but when you step up and become the director, there are far more responsibilities that are on you,” King said. “Again, keeping up with budgets, keeping up with scholarships, keeping up with inventory, things like that, all the sudden, as the director that’s solely on your shoulders.”
He said he plans to make community outreach a major focus of the band, including more performance opportunities. He also plans to involve the band in community outreach with charities such as Habitat for Humanity and the Meridian-based charity LOVE’s Kitchen.
“First and foremost, I want our students to continue to push to be the best musicians they can be under my guidance and tutelage and for their enjoyment of music to grow,” King said. “I want the band to again, get out in the community more, to be more civic-minded, not only in performing, but I would also like to seek opportunities and maybe get some volunteers in the band to help with community support.”
The ensemble performs as a marching band and a symphonic band and also includes a jazz band, rock band, New Orleans-style brass band, percussion ensemble, dance team and color guard.
“I’m thrilled to be here,” King said. “We have a great group of students, and certainly we’ll be reaching out through our district to find more students to continue to build the band.“
King also said the band wouldn’t be the ensemble it was without the support it received from EMCC’s administration.