Host Cyrus Webb welcomes Justin Williams, Yazoo City High School Band Director, to #ConversationsLIVE to discuss his love of band, and what he is looking forward to this school year.
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(00:00):
Welcome to Conversations Live. For morethan a decade, we've brought you the
best and books, entertainment, celebrityinterviews, and current events. When the
movers and shakers of the world havesomething to say to you, they say
it to us first. Here's yourhost, Cyrus Web. Welcome back everyone
(00:20):
the Conversations Live. I'm your host, Service Web. Glad you walk told
joined us once again, but forradio audience tuning in here in Mississippi a
wye D ninety four point one FMand wyeed online dot com are glad that
you all can be with us.Also tuning in their online audience worldwide thanks
to iHeartRadio on Amazon Music Podcast.We glad you all could be with us
as well. Where's you guys know? The new school year is gearing up,
(00:42):
so a lot of activities will begoing on, not only on yazes
City but throughout the state in thecountry. One of the things that a
lot of people look forward to isthe band, and we're excited to welcome
to our broadcast today mister Justin Williams. He's a Yazoo City High School marching
band director. One talk to misterWilliams not only about his own love of
music and band, but also nowwhat it's like for him as a new
band director Yazter City, what he'slooking forward to this year, and of
(01:03):
course we'll let you guys know howto stay connected with him. Mister Williams,
think you again for the time real. They do appreciate it. Thank
you all for having me. I'mreally excited to be here today. They're
the pleasure of self. The onlinewill Welcome to Yazoo. We're glad to
be able to have you as theband director for the Yester City High School
Marching Band. We're gonna talk moreabout that. Let's kind of talk to
them a little bit about your backgroundthough, mister Williams. When did your
(01:25):
own love of music and band?When did that kind of show up for
you? Well, for me personally, I actually like I'm from Memphis,
Tennessee, so my actually my lovefor music actually started in church, in
the church choir. My mother wasvery involved in the church chrod and she
made us be a part of thechurch. So that's why I kind of
found my love for just out Iguess moving air throughout my diaphragm, which
(01:48):
is why I played the trombone.I do a pretty good job at it.
So I found it through there,and through there I reached out through
percussion and I played drums for alittle while, and I found that I
really liked the trombone. So gettingclose to the end of my senior I
picked up the trump bone and it'sbeen a great journey ever since then.
Got you. I know, formyself, I attended school and ranking County
(02:09):
mister Williams, and I played thetrumpet from middle school to high school.
So definitely he enjoyed enjoyed that beinga part of the band. And one
thing I had the same band directorfrom middle school in high school. One
thing that I appreciated with the camaraderiethat we had as a band working together,
especially in the camp too, youknow, football games and that kind
of thing with a camaraderie. Alsosomething that you appreciated. Now, that's
(02:32):
something I always appreciate about the bandbecause one thing that the band is,
especially the music world, it's aplace where students who actually don't have sometimes
don't have to feel like they havethat voice out there within the school or
the community, and they can alwayscome to the band room and feel like
it's their place to get away Unfortunatelyfor me, I never had the opportunity
to have the band director that stuckwith us through the time. So it
(02:54):
was big for me during my senioryear when we actually got a director you
really cared for to make sure wegot to the places that we want to
be in and the levels that wewant to grow in musically. So it's
really important for me to be inan area like Yazoo and give the students
what they deserve musically, and theydeserve to be the best, and they
deserve to be treated like they best, and all the scholarship opportunities. So
(03:17):
I think with all those things together, the students usually come together really really
great and makes them happy to bearound people who they usually didn't think that
they would make friends with. AndI'm looking at two of those students right
now and they just get along sowell as opposed to when they first started.
So yes, the camaraderie is definitelya big thing opposed to other things.
(03:38):
Yeah, Emmas Winds, I thinkfor an audience out there is we
kind of think about music in general. Music has a way of bringing people
together, right, like very fewthings can I think, you know,
and I think it's great. Iremember again, even for myself and with
music, you know, it wasI was in a pretty conservative area,
but our band director tried to bringthings that were a modern end. That
(04:00):
we did a little bit of everything, because they're kind of one of the
things that you want to be ableto do the course, to be able
to be able to be a partof the entertainment there of course now when
it comes to Yagest City High School, but also to introduce the students is
something new very much. So versatilityfor a musician is very very crucial to
their growth. So with the bookthat we do have, I like to
(04:23):
introduce the students who all different typesof music. They sometimes get a little
mad at me and they call meold because I always bring them a little
older music because of the texture ofthe music and it gives them just something
a little brighter to listen to.One of the songs that we've taken the
hope that the students are actually gravitatedthrough to this year is actually Boogie Knights,
(04:44):
and they love Boogie Knights. That'sone of them. And you know
they weren't born with Boogie Knights cameout, but that's a song even though
it's so old, it's still asong they love to play, they love
how the music makes them feel,they love to vibe, and also bringing
back into the concert band. Lastyear we had our first concert band with
me being here, and they reallygravitated towards those sounds. So always with
(05:05):
the students, I don't like tolimit them to what they know because I
feel that they can always gravitate towardsthose different things. That's fan because if
you like music, I always say, there's only a couple of notes in
music, and you can only rearrangethem in so many different ways. So
if you like music, you're morethan likely one of like the different genres
and style. So yes, definitely, we played songs off of TV shows.
(05:29):
We played the songs from Dragon Balls, we played the SpongeBob theme,
and when they did the Bubba bolwe played rap songs from this year like
all my life. We play songsthat are just as old like Look That
and just even even older older pieces. So versatility amongst musicians is just very
very important to me, and alsojust being able to make sure that they're
(05:50):
verst enough to be able to read, because you can have a student wants
to enjoy all those different amenities thatmusic applies to itself, but without the
knowledge to be able to read itor understand it, it makes it a
lot harder for students to do thething they enjoy and love. Yeah,
you mentioned concert band that was probablymy favorite, more southern marching band.
(06:13):
I don't have the best rhythm,mister Williams. The concert band was something
I definitely enjoyed, and you saidsomething that's interesting I think, and this
is I wanted to ask you aboutthis point too, because I think a
lot of times, you know,when we think about funding, it's a
big issue everywhere. Of course ourstate of Mississippi, it's always they're always
looking about talking about funding and cuts. You know, it has always bothered
(06:34):
me that the arts in its manyforms, not just art classes, but
music does not always get the supportthat it needs. Is it your hope
to also help people to see thatthe marching band is not just fun,
it really is an important addition tothe school and also even to support in
the sports at the schools. Unfortunately, I do honestly believe that the marching
(06:58):
band is a very vital part toa school's viability and also its visibility.
Recently, I had an experience withgoing to Memphis for an event and I
was talking to some of the studentsthere and I was telling them that I
teach in Yazoo City, and oneof the students immediately jumped out, oh,
Yazoo City, I know that band. I c on the Internet.
So even with our band growing inthe way that it's growing and the things
(07:21):
that we're ever to do, we'realso able to expand the view of Yazoo
not only just what it be insports, but people are able to see
the band, and not only herein Mississippi, but people in Tennessee have
seeing our band, people in Arkansasseeing our band, in Alabama, people
in Louisiana seeing their bean and theyknow of our band and they also know
of the school. So it helpsbring a move more positive light. Another
(07:43):
thing that is very important with bandis a lot of people don't notice,
but marching band. When it comesto college, marching band is one of
the biggest payouts that especially these HBCuniversities have. Within my first year here,
we had four years and out ofthose four seniors, we were able
to gather eight hundred over eight hundredthousand dollars in scholarships from over thirteen different
(08:11):
schools, and those students best theopportunity to go to whichever school they wanted
to go to longest. Like Isaid, I made sure that they knew
their skills, knew how to readout a prepared piece, and they were
prepared for a journey that was aheadof them. So since I've been here,
I've ascertained at least over a milliondollars in scholarships, and that's just
been over under two years. Ilike they always say that the sports can
(08:35):
offer students that wait, but Ialways and I constantly believe because I'm not
only here to provide the students theiropportunity to just grow musically and have the
best time being one of the betterfans in the Delta. But once they're
done with this, they have opportunity, if they want to go to college,
to have it paid for it.So when I was in school,
I can tell us this on theradio. I wasn't necessarily the best student.
(08:58):
When my grades were good enough thatwhen I showed them I could play
the trump bone, they were ableto offer me a four ride scholarship four
tuition scholarship to the college that Iactually always want to go to and that
prepared need to be in a positionthat I am now, So without just
me picking up their corn and beingable to have somebody finance my school for
(09:18):
me just offen you knowing my instrument, that was very important for me to
turn into the person I am nowand also be able to give the students
the opportunity that my director gave me, which was the opportunity to take a
chance on my whole life. Yeah, and I love that and it's a
great reminder for all of us asa new school years beginning. I want
to say for those who are justtuning in, he's on the radio side,
(09:41):
are online, you're listening to theconversations. Libry excited to welcome mister
Justin Williams to our broadcast today.He's the band director for the Other City
High School. We're talking with himknowing about his own beginnings with music and
band, but also what it's beenlike for him now to share that with
the students. A couple more thingsI want to talk to you about,
mister Williams, because he brought you, brought up something about you know what
you've been able to do already andye as his city, I think It's
(10:03):
such a great thing. One thingI have definitely learned. I would not
be where I am today if itwas not for teachers who believed in me.
I was just saying on Facebook recentlyone of the biggest supports for my
career was my art teacher in highschool. How does that feel to know
that just by your believing in someoneand then being able to tell that you
believe in them, that you've beenable to inspire them to want greater things?
(10:26):
How does that feel for you personally? Personally? It is very very
new to me, and it's it'ssomething that I've had to learn how to
grab onto because sometimes I like tothink in myself as just me. I
don't think about what others see meask and others see me as their teacher,
their professors, someone that respect andadmire, someone who's giving them the
(10:48):
twos that they that they think theyneeded to go on. I've had students
that have come back and told meamazing things that I really wouldn't have thought
about of them thinking about me inthat way. So to be able to
be that for those students, thementor the teacher that they want and feel
they need and deserve to always givethem a place where they are safe and
happy. Is just a really bigthing to me, and it kind of
(11:11):
helps me kind of mature more too, and kind of help me more so
understand not only just who I am, but what the students actually see me
as when they look to see me. Because it's easy for us who are
as adults to look at our livesand know us from thirteen up until this
point now, but these students knowme as the thirty three year old music
teacher who has provided them these opportunities, so they see me in a different
(11:35):
light, and I've started to gravitatetowards being that mentor for them, not
just being who I use them,but just being the mentor that they actually
need completely in all the different aspectsthey have given me. So they've really
taught me how to ways to growbecause I don't have kids myself, but
these students that have definitely showed meout ways that I can be a little
(11:58):
more soft and while still being firmand also just being a little more care
than being receptive to the different stylesand different ways of learning, the different
ways that students take in certain things. So I just I just appreciate them
so much for just honestly, justwhen I stand in from it's almost like
the hold up a merit to meand show me who I am. And
(12:20):
that's just a just a blessing thatthey can provide to be a lot come
done. So what are you lookingforward to Miss Williams as a Smith School
years beginning? What is it thatyou're looking forward to being able to do
with the band but also for theschool this year? Oh my god,
so weeks. Like I said today, we just had our first performance at
Ga Carmichael over there by Nick Donald's. I'm not from down here, so
(12:43):
I'm not really yeah familiar with thearea, but we just had our first
performance and I can say it it'sa very very good first step. So
the first thing that I'm looking forwardto is showing everybody and that steps into
our stadium and every statement that westep into that we are that our band
and if we're not the better band, you better look out, because we
will be the better band next year. The other things that I'm looking forward
(13:05):
to is just introducing the school toa different sound from the end fun.
We have a couple of new songslike who Do I Run To? That
I think the schools, and notonly to the students, but the parents
and the facty would enjoy not onlydoing the football games when we have competitions,
and competitions are the big thing.Last year we were unfortunate to make
(13:28):
it to any of our competitions dueto some other things. But this year,
I don't expect for those things tobe in our way, and I
expect our students to go out thereand take the first place trophies that they
are going to achieve from our competitionsin Memphis Little Rock. We have a
competition in Alabama, and we alsogo to the Marty Rock Parade in Biluxi,
(13:50):
and for the past two years,I'm happy to say that we have
been the winners of the Biluxi Martyrob Baalle of the bands I like to
call them the King of Neptune.And those are just some things. Oh
and also we have our seniors gettingready to graduate. We've been preparing them
diligently for their scholars for their auditions, and we want to send them off
(14:13):
to the right place. And we'realso looking to host an event here in
as a marching band event where peoplecan come out and not only see the
band because a lot of people don'tmake it out to the football game,
a lot of people might not makeit to the parades, or when they
do make it to a parade,they might see the band for a second.
I want to people be able toprovide them this school year with some
opportunity to not see the band fora second or not of the football game,
but to enjoy the band and thewhole. Want to be able to
(14:37):
host an event and bring another banddown there and put on a showcase for
the city. Not something they payfor it just so the people can be
aware of what the students are doing, the great work they are doing,
and what they what their teachers askingthem to support. So I don't like
just saying reach out and support theband. I liked touring the community what
I'm asking them to support and whatit is that their supporters going towards.
(15:00):
So those are really just a bigthings for me. Just a really competitive
school year or for us this year, we're going to do a lot of
growth because our counsel is our amazing. This year, they remember my kids,
my bad classes, so I'm goingto be really digging into the site
reading. This year. We dida really good job over the summer digging
into the site reading, which ishow our book was able to grow a
(15:20):
little more this year. But Ireally want to get big into the reading
man, because that's really how wecan really get into just really more difficult
music. I don't know how everybodyelse says it, but I have to
make sure my students are musically educatedbefore I can take them on any ride.
But this school year just to belooking forward to ye as we see
him. Yes, we see itbeing competitive throughout the Delta, but not
(15:41):
only in the Delsers also in Memphisof Little Rock and Alabama this school year.
And I hope everybody's just reached ourown out and just try to put
your eyes on us at least onceor twice. Gotcha love that? So
I have to ask you this then, for a radio audience here in yas
A City, in the Yasert Countyarea. He has will Is throughout the
state. How can we then supportyou in your goals? How can the
(16:03):
community support the band and Jamus Williamswell community, yea Zoo and I and
one more time before you guys getoff, I appreciate Yazoo City for accepting
me. This is my third year. I appreciate you out for accepting me,
supporting me. I appreciate all thekind words that you often telling me
in the ways that you all cansupport our band. Always noticed I've been
(16:26):
it's always going to the football games. We're always going to the other competitions.
We need water. If you wouldlike to donate a case of water
to that, you can just bringit around to the band room during school
hours. We would love to loveto take those in. Also, if
you don't want to like to doa little more, you have the football
season coming up, and like thosekids made me to eat before those games,
(16:47):
they don't provide food for the studentsbefore those games. So if we
want to have something set up andI'm going to share that link as well
with everyone or how to get incontact with that link to where if you
would like to donate a meet orlike say, for instance, if you
would like to buy lunch met andbread and chips and water for the kids
that day, which would be likesixty or seventy dollars so that they could
(17:08):
eat it that day, or youwould like to buy pieces or maybe barbecue.
We're gonna set up a list foreach one of the performance and you
can sign up for a spot,and when that day comes to you sign
up for your spot. You canbring whatever food that it is you would
like to donate. Right now,we don't want to do no money donations.
So if you wouldn't know anything,whether it's an instrument that you have
or an old stand that you have, just bring it and drop it to
(17:30):
the bar room, because any smallthing helps. Anything helps, Because I
have someone who can fix instruments,and even if you have a broken instrument
at home, just bring it tothe school and we would love to take
it in. Because there's would Ido like to say, and I would
want to say this real quick.The Delta is a beautiful place for music.
And I'm gonna say that twice.The Delta is a beautiful place for
(17:52):
me. It's a real quick story. The first student I started here on
Trumbone, I call them magic.And the reason I call them magic is
because once I put the I'M bonein his hand, he just kind of
gravitated to it. It's just likemagic. He's already played. It's already
and I was like, oh,he's Then the next school year came around
and I parted a couple more kidsand a couple more kids, and then
I know something. He's not magic. The area is magic because all I
(18:17):
have to do is put the instrumentin the student in. They take off,
they take off their learning, they'rethey're thinking, they're focused, They're
not who the students believe them tobe. So with all that being said,
these students deserve you all. Youall support in any way that you
think it is possible. You canjust bring it to the high school and
take it to the band room andwe will accept anything that you all please
(18:42):
have because if you donate something,it gives another student an opportunity to to
joint band. So do not siton it. There's another student out there
who would love the DN band.We don't have all the instruments in the
world, but another instrument would definitelyadd another student and help change their life
in the trajectory that they will beable to go on. Just I could
be it for me. That's agreat message and a great reminder and again
(19:04):
a great way that all of uscan be involved. Mister Williams, appreciate
you sharing those stories with us andof course the ways that we can be
of assistance. Again, everyone misterJustin Williams has been our guest again.
He's the band director for the otherCity High School, talking with us not
only about his own love of music, but also of course what it's been
like for him working with the highschool, what they're looking forward to this
(19:25):
year, and of course the worldthat all of us can be able to
play and making sure they have asuccessful year. Mister Williams, great to
have you coming by wya D today. Let our audience know how can they
stay connected with you and kind ofkeep up with what's going on. Well,
the easiest way is to keep upwith us. You can check us
out or you can check me outon Facebook at Justin Williams on Facebook.
(19:45):
You can send me an email atJ. T. Williams ed M A
s D dot K twelve dot mif dot you is. There was a
lot just rewinding the video and they'replaying back for you. But you can
see me an email or coming tothe high school. You can reach out
(20:07):
to me on Facebook at Justin WilliasI'm the cute chocolate guy with his head
cocked to the side. Or youcan easily and I know this is probably
not all right, but you cangive me a call, because this is
my business phone number at eight sevenzero two zero nine to eight seven eight
and just ask for mister Williams,and I'm going to be the one answer.
I appreciate you all. I appreciateyou y as you, I appreciate
(20:29):
you all the surrounding areas, justjust letting me come down here and do
my Memphis thing with you all andjust accepting and just accepting me and letting
me grow into the person who whothe students need me to be. But
if you guys have any question,you can reach me by email phone number
or just come by the high schooland just ask for the band director in
the back. And I'm pretty sureI will always be happy to speak with
(20:51):
anyone. All right, mister Williams. We appreciate that, will make sure
that we add that information for oursight as well, and definitely looking forward
to speaking with you again, definitely. Will I appreciate you all for having
me, and I hope you guysare having an amazing day you as well,
man, and we think your audiencefor tuning in to another great segment
of conversations Live until next time,I'm yours. Sufer's website US always enjoy
(21:11):
your day, enjoy your life,Enjoy your world. Thank you all for
cheasing conversations live and it's going tomake today amazing. Takecare,
Welcome to Conversations Live. For morethan a decade, we've brought you the
best and books, entertainment, celebrityinterviews, and current events. When the
movers and shakers of the world havesomething to say to you, they say
it to us first. Here's yourhost, Cyrus Web. Welcome back everyone
(00:20):
the Conversations Live. I'm your host, Service Web. Glad you walk told
joined us once again, but forradio audience tuning in here in Mississippi a
wye D ninety four point one FMand wyeed online dot com are glad that
you all can be with us.Also tuning in their online audience worldwide thanks
to iHeartRadio on Amazon Music Podcast.We glad you all could be with us
as well. Where's you guys know? The new school year is gearing up,
(00:42):
so a lot of activities will begoing on, not only on yazes
City but throughout the state in thecountry. One of the things that a
lot of people look forward to isthe band, and we're excited to welcome
to our broadcast today mister Justin Williams. He's a Yazoo City High School marching
band director. One talk to misterWilliams not only about his own love of
music and band, but also nowwhat it's like for him as a new
band director Yazter City, what he'slooking forward to this year, and of
(01:03):
course we'll let you guys know howto stay connected with him. Mister Williams,
think you again for the time real. They do appreciate it. Thank
you all for having me. I'mreally excited to be here today. They're
the pleasure of self. The onlinewill Welcome to Yazoo. We're glad to
be able to have you as theband director for the Yester City High School
Marching Band. We're gonna talk moreabout that. Let's kind of talk to
them a little bit about your backgroundthough, mister Williams. When did your
(01:25):
own love of music and band?When did that kind of show up for
you? Well, for me personally, I actually like I'm from Memphis,
Tennessee, so my actually my lovefor music actually started in church, in
the church choir. My mother wasvery involved in the church chrod and she
made us be a part of thechurch. So that's why I kind of
found my love for just out Iguess moving air throughout my diaphragm, which
(01:48):
is why I played the trombone.I do a pretty good job at it.
So I found it through there,and through there I reached out through
percussion and I played drums for alittle while, and I found that I
really liked the trombone. So gettingclose to the end of my senior I
picked up the trump bone and it'sbeen a great journey ever since then.
Got you. I know, formyself, I attended school and ranking County
(02:09):
mister Williams, and I played thetrumpet from middle school to high school.
So definitely he enjoyed enjoyed that beinga part of the band. And one
thing I had the same band directorfrom middle school in high school. One
thing that I appreciated with the camaraderiethat we had as a band working together,
especially in the camp too, youknow, football games and that kind
of thing with a camaraderie. Alsosomething that you appreciated. Now, that's
(02:32):
something I always appreciate about the bandbecause one thing that the band is,
especially the music world, it's aplace where students who actually don't have sometimes
don't have to feel like they havethat voice out there within the school or
the community, and they can alwayscome to the band room and feel like
it's their place to get away Unfortunatelyfor me, I never had the opportunity
to have the band director that stuckwith us through the time. So it
(02:54):
was big for me during my senioryear when we actually got a director you
really cared for to make sure wegot to the places that we want to
be in and the levels that wewant to grow in musically. So it's
really important for me to be inan area like Yazoo and give the students
what they deserve musically, and theydeserve to be the best, and they
deserve to be treated like they best, and all the scholarship opportunities. So
(03:17):
I think with all those things together, the students usually come together really really
great and makes them happy to bearound people who they usually didn't think that
they would make friends with. AndI'm looking at two of those students right
now and they just get along sowell as opposed to when they first started.
So yes, the camaraderie is definitelya big thing opposed to other things.
(03:38):
Yeah, Emmas Winds, I thinkfor an audience out there is we
kind of think about music in general. Music has a way of bringing people
together, right, like very fewthings can I think, you know,
and I think it's great. Iremember again, even for myself and with
music, you know, it wasI was in a pretty conservative area,
but our band director tried to bringthings that were a modern end. That
(04:00):
we did a little bit of everything, because they're kind of one of the
things that you want to be ableto do the course, to be able
to be able to be a partof the entertainment there of course now when
it comes to Yagest City High School, but also to introduce the students is
something new very much. So versatilityfor a musician is very very crucial to
their growth. So with the bookthat we do have, I like to
(04:23):
introduce the students who all different typesof music. They sometimes get a little
mad at me and they call meold because I always bring them a little
older music because of the texture ofthe music and it gives them just something
a little brighter to listen to.One of the songs that we've taken the
hope that the students are actually gravitatedthrough to this year is actually Boogie Knights,
(04:44):
and they love Boogie Knights. That'sone of them. And you know
they weren't born with Boogie Knights cameout, but that's a song even though
it's so old, it's still asong they love to play, they love
how the music makes them feel,they love to vibe, and also bringing
back into the concert band. Lastyear we had our first concert band with
me being here, and they reallygravitated towards those sounds. So always with
(05:05):
the students, I don't like tolimit them to what they know because I
feel that they can always gravitate towardsthose different things. That's fan because if
you like music, I always say, there's only a couple of notes in
music, and you can only rearrangethem in so many different ways. So
if you like music, you're morethan likely one of like the different genres
and style. So yes, definitely, we played songs off of TV shows.
(05:29):
We played the songs from Dragon Balls, we played the SpongeBob theme,
and when they did the Bubba bolwe played rap songs from this year like
all my life. We play songsthat are just as old like Look That
and just even even older older pieces. So versatility amongst musicians is just very
very important to me, and alsojust being able to make sure that they're
(05:50):
verst enough to be able to read, because you can have a student wants
to enjoy all those different amenities thatmusic applies to itself, but without the
knowledge to be able to read itor understand it, it makes it a
lot harder for students to do thething they enjoy and love. Yeah,
you mentioned concert band that was probablymy favorite, more southern marching band.
(06:13):
I don't have the best rhythm,mister Williams. The concert band was something
I definitely enjoyed, and you saidsomething that's interesting I think, and this
is I wanted to ask you aboutthis point too, because I think a
lot of times, you know,when we think about funding, it's a
big issue everywhere. Of course ourstate of Mississippi, it's always they're always
looking about talking about funding and cuts. You know, it has always bothered
(06:34):
me that the arts in its manyforms, not just art classes, but
music does not always get the supportthat it needs. Is it your hope
to also help people to see thatthe marching band is not just fun,
it really is an important addition tothe school and also even to support in
the sports at the schools. Unfortunately, I do honestly believe that the marching
(06:58):
band is a very vital part toa school's viability and also its visibility.
Recently, I had an experience withgoing to Memphis for an event and I
was talking to some of the studentsthere and I was telling them that I
teach in Yazoo City, and oneof the students immediately jumped out, oh,
Yazoo City, I know that band. I c on the Internet.
So even with our band growing inthe way that it's growing and the things
(07:21):
that we're ever to do, we'realso able to expand the view of Yazoo
not only just what it be insports, but people are able to see
the band, and not only herein Mississippi, but people in Tennessee have
seeing our band, people in Arkansasseeing our band, in Alabama, people
in Louisiana seeing their bean and theyknow of our band and they also know
of the school. So it helpsbring a move more positive light. Another
(07:43):
thing that is very important with bandis a lot of people don't notice,
but marching band. When it comesto college, marching band is one of
the biggest payouts that especially these HBCuniversities have. Within my first year here,
we had four years and out ofthose four seniors, we were able
to gather eight hundred over eight hundredthousand dollars in scholarships from over thirteen different
(08:11):
schools, and those students best theopportunity to go to whichever school they wanted
to go to longest. Like Isaid, I made sure that they knew
their skills, knew how to readout a prepared piece, and they were
prepared for a journey that was aheadof them. So since I've been here,
I've ascertained at least over a milliondollars in scholarships, and that's just
been over under two years. Ilike they always say that the sports can
(08:35):
offer students that wait, but Ialways and I constantly believe because I'm not
only here to provide the students theiropportunity to just grow musically and have the
best time being one of the betterfans in the Delta. But once they're
done with this, they have opportunity, if they want to go to college,
to have it paid for it.So when I was in school,
I can tell us this on theradio. I wasn't necessarily the best student.
(08:58):
When my grades were good enough thatwhen I showed them I could play
the trump bone, they were ableto offer me a four ride scholarship four
tuition scholarship to the college that Iactually always want to go to and that
prepared need to be in a positionthat I am now, So without just
me picking up their corn and beingable to have somebody finance my school for
(09:18):
me just offen you knowing my instrument, that was very important for me to
turn into the person I am nowand also be able to give the students
the opportunity that my director gave me, which was the opportunity to take a
chance on my whole life. Yeah, and I love that and it's a
great reminder for all of us asa new school years beginning. I want
to say for those who are justtuning in, he's on the radio side,
(09:41):
are online, you're listening to theconversations. Libry excited to welcome mister
Justin Williams to our broadcast today.He's the band director for the Other City
High School. We're talking with himknowing about his own beginnings with music and
band, but also what it's beenlike for him now to share that with
the students. A couple more thingsI want to talk to you about,
mister Williams, because he brought you, brought up something about you know what
you've been able to do already andye as his city, I think It's
(10:03):
such a great thing. One thingI have definitely learned. I would not
be where I am today if itwas not for teachers who believed in me.
I was just saying on Facebook recentlyone of the biggest supports for my
career was my art teacher in highschool. How does that feel to know
that just by your believing in someoneand then being able to tell that you
believe in them, that you've beenable to inspire them to want greater things?
(10:26):
How does that feel for you personally? Personally? It is very very
new to me, and it's it'ssomething that I've had to learn how to
grab onto because sometimes I like tothink in myself as just me. I
don't think about what others see meask and others see me as their teacher,
their professors, someone that respect andadmire, someone who's giving them the
(10:48):
twos that they that they think theyneeded to go on. I've had students
that have come back and told meamazing things that I really wouldn't have thought
about of them thinking about me inthat way. So to be able to
be that for those students, thementor the teacher that they want and feel
they need and deserve to always givethem a place where they are safe and
happy. Is just a really bigthing to me, and it kind of
(11:11):
helps me kind of mature more too, and kind of help me more so
understand not only just who I am, but what the students actually see me
as when they look to see me. Because it's easy for us who are
as adults to look at our livesand know us from thirteen up until this
point now, but these students knowme as the thirty three year old music
teacher who has provided them these opportunities, so they see me in a different
(11:35):
light, and I've started to gravitatetowards being that mentor for them, not
just being who I use them,but just being the mentor that they actually
need completely in all the different aspectsthey have given me. So they've really
taught me how to ways to growbecause I don't have kids myself, but
these students that have definitely showed meout ways that I can be a little
(11:58):
more soft and while still being firmand also just being a little more care
than being receptive to the different stylesand different ways of learning, the different
ways that students take in certain things. So I just I just appreciate them
so much for just honestly, justwhen I stand in from it's almost like
the hold up a merit to meand show me who I am. And
(12:20):
that's just a just a blessing thatthey can provide to be a lot come
done. So what are you lookingforward to Miss Williams as a Smith School
years beginning? What is it thatyou're looking forward to being able to do
with the band but also for theschool this year? Oh my god,
so weeks. Like I said today, we just had our first performance at
Ga Carmichael over there by Nick Donald's. I'm not from down here, so
(12:43):
I'm not really yeah familiar with thearea, but we just had our first
performance and I can say it it'sa very very good first step. So
the first thing that I'm looking forwardto is showing everybody and that steps into
our stadium and every statement that westep into that we are that our band
and if we're not the better band, you better look out, because we
will be the better band next year. The other things that I'm looking forward
(13:05):
to is just introducing the school toa different sound from the end fun.
We have a couple of new songslike who Do I Run To? That
I think the schools, and notonly to the students, but the parents
and the facty would enjoy not onlydoing the football games when we have competitions,
and competitions are the big thing.Last year we were unfortunate to make
(13:28):
it to any of our competitions dueto some other things. But this year,
I don't expect for those things tobe in our way, and I
expect our students to go out thereand take the first place trophies that they
are going to achieve from our competitionsin Memphis Little Rock. We have a
competition in Alabama, and we alsogo to the Marty Rock Parade in Biluxi,
(13:50):
and for the past two years,I'm happy to say that we have
been the winners of the Biluxi Martyrob Baalle of the bands I like to
call them the King of Neptune.And those are just some things. Oh
and also we have our seniors gettingready to graduate. We've been preparing them
diligently for their scholars for their auditions, and we want to send them off
(14:13):
to the right place. And we'realso looking to host an event here in
as a marching band event where peoplecan come out and not only see the
band because a lot of people don'tmake it out to the football game,
a lot of people might not makeit to the parades, or when they
do make it to a parade,they might see the band for a second.
I want to people be able toprovide them this school year with some
opportunity to not see the band fora second or not of the football game,
but to enjoy the band and thewhole. Want to be able to
(14:37):
host an event and bring another banddown there and put on a showcase for
the city. Not something they payfor it just so the people can be
aware of what the students are doing, the great work they are doing,
and what they what their teachers askingthem to support. So I don't like
just saying reach out and support theband. I liked touring the community what
I'm asking them to support and whatit is that their supporters going towards.
(15:00):
So those are really just a bigthings for me. Just a really competitive
school year or for us this year, we're going to do a lot of
growth because our counsel is our amazing. This year, they remember my kids,
my bad classes, so I'm goingto be really digging into the site
reading. This year. We dida really good job over the summer digging
into the site reading, which ishow our book was able to grow a
(15:20):
little more this year. But Ireally want to get big into the reading
man, because that's really how wecan really get into just really more difficult
music. I don't know how everybodyelse says it, but I have to
make sure my students are musically educatedbefore I can take them on any ride.
But this school year just to belooking forward to ye as we see
him. Yes, we see itbeing competitive throughout the Delta, but not
(15:41):
only in the Delsers also in Memphisof Little Rock and Alabama this school year.
And I hope everybody's just reached ourown out and just try to put
your eyes on us at least onceor twice. Gotcha love that? So
I have to ask you this then, for a radio audience here in yas
A City, in the Yasert Countyarea. He has will Is throughout the
state. How can we then supportyou in your goals? How can the
(16:03):
community support the band and Jamus Williamswell community, yea Zoo and I and
one more time before you guys getoff, I appreciate Yazoo City for accepting
me. This is my third year. I appreciate you out for accepting me,
supporting me. I appreciate all thekind words that you often telling me
in the ways that you all cansupport our band. Always noticed I've been
(16:26):
it's always going to the football games. We're always going to the other competitions.
We need water. If you wouldlike to donate a case of water
to that, you can just bringit around to the band room during school
hours. We would love to loveto take those in. Also, if
you don't want to like to doa little more, you have the football
season coming up, and like thosekids made me to eat before those games,
(16:47):
they don't provide food for the studentsbefore those games. So if we
want to have something set up andI'm going to share that link as well
with everyone or how to get incontact with that link to where if you
would like to donate a meet orlike say, for instance, if you
would like to buy lunch met andbread and chips and water for the kids
that day, which would be likesixty or seventy dollars so that they could
(17:08):
eat it that day, or youwould like to buy pieces or maybe barbecue.
We're gonna set up a list foreach one of the performance and you
can sign up for a spot,and when that day comes to you sign
up for your spot. You canbring whatever food that it is you would
like to donate. Right now,we don't want to do no money donations.
So if you wouldn't know anything,whether it's an instrument that you have
or an old stand that you have, just bring it and drop it to
(17:30):
the bar room, because any smallthing helps. Anything helps, Because I
have someone who can fix instruments,and even if you have a broken instrument
at home, just bring it tothe school and we would love to take
it in. Because there's would Ido like to say, and I would
want to say this real quick.The Delta is a beautiful place for music.
And I'm gonna say that twice.The Delta is a beautiful place for
(17:52):
me. It's a real quick story. The first student I started here on
Trumbone, I call them magic.And the reason I call them magic is
because once I put the I'M bonein his hand, he just kind of
gravitated to it. It's just likemagic. He's already played. It's already
and I was like, oh,he's Then the next school year came around
and I parted a couple more kidsand a couple more kids, and then
I know something. He's not magic. The area is magic because all I
(18:17):
have to do is put the instrumentin the student in. They take off,
they take off their learning, they'rethey're thinking, they're focused, They're
not who the students believe them tobe. So with all that being said,
these students deserve you all. Youall support in any way that you
think it is possible. You canjust bring it to the high school and
take it to the band room andwe will accept anything that you all please
(18:42):
have because if you donate something,it gives another student an opportunity to to
joint band. So do not siton it. There's another student out there
who would love the DN band.We don't have all the instruments in the
world, but another instrument would definitelyadd another student and help change their life
in the trajectory that they will beable to go on. Just I could
be it for me. That's agreat message and a great reminder and again
(19:04):
a great way that all of uscan be involved. Mister Williams, appreciate
you sharing those stories with us andof course the ways that we can be
of assistance. Again, everyone misterJustin Williams has been our guest again.
He's the band director for the otherCity High School, talking with us not
only about his own love of music, but also of course what it's been
like for him working with the highschool, what they're looking forward to this
(19:25):
year, and of course the worldthat all of us can be able to
play and making sure they have asuccessful year. Mister Williams, great to
have you coming by wya D today. Let our audience know how can they
stay connected with you and kind ofkeep up with what's going on. Well,
the easiest way is to keep upwith us. You can check us
out or you can check me outon Facebook at Justin Williams on Facebook.
(19:45):
You can send me an email atJ. T. Williams ed M A
s D dot K twelve dot mif dot you is. There was a
lot just rewinding the video and they'replaying back for you. But you can
see me an email or coming tothe high school. You can reach out
(20:07):
to me on Facebook at Justin WilliasI'm the cute chocolate guy with his head
cocked to the side. Or youcan easily and I know this is probably
not all right, but you cangive me a call, because this is
my business phone number at eight sevenzero two zero nine to eight seven eight
and just ask for mister Williams,and I'm going to be the one answer.
I appreciate you all. I appreciateyou y as you, I appreciate
(20:29):
you all the surrounding areas, justjust letting me come down here and do
my Memphis thing with you all andjust accepting and just accepting me and letting
me grow into the person who whothe students need me to be. But
if you guys have any question,you can reach me by email phone number
or just come by the high schooland just ask for the band director in
the back. And I'm pretty sureI will always be happy to speak with
(20:51):
anyone. All right, mister Williams. We appreciate that, will make sure
that we add that information for oursight as well, and definitely looking forward
to speaking with you again, definitely. Will I appreciate you all for having
me, and I hope you guysare having an amazing day you as well,
man, and we think your audiencefor tuning in to another great segment
of conversations Live until next time,I'm yours. Sufer's website US always enjoy
(21:11):
your day, enjoy your life,Enjoy your world. Thank you all for
cheasing conversations live and it's going tomake today amazing. Takecare,
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