Instrumental Music

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

The Licking Valley High School Instrumental Music Program is designed to expose students to a wide variety of musical styles and performing ensembles. The goal in each ensemble is for students to master fundamental skills on their instruments as well as to develop a superior level of musicianship.

Private lessons are available to Licking Valley instrumental music students in grades 5-12. Interested students have the opportunity to study privately with studio instrument teachers. Lessons are 30 minutes long and include everything from basic technique to advanced solos on the selected instrument.  Cost for each lesson is $15 per week. Lessons will be taught at the high school by superior musicians from in and around our community. Any interested student should contact Mr. Barrett for more information.

BAND STAFF

John Barrett - Director of Bands

Mr. Barrett serves as the Director of Bands for the Licking Valley Local School District. At Licking Valley he leads the concert band, marching band, jazz ensemble, indoor percussion ensemble and middle/intermediate school bands. 

Prior to teaching at Licking Valley, Mr. Barrett served as the Director of Bands at Gallia Academy High School and Middle School in the Gallipolis City School District. Under his direction, both the middle school and high school bands experienced tremendous growth with participation in the middle school program doubling in three years. His ensembles consistently received “Excellent” and “Superior” ratings in marching band, concert band, and solo & ensemble adjudicated events at both the district and state level of performance. 

Mr. Barrett is a 2012 graduate of Licking Valley and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and a Master of Music in Music Education degree from Capital University (Columbus, Ohio). He has studied saxophone performance privately with Dr. Jeremy Long and conducting with Mr. Gary A. Speck and Dr. Jeff Gershman.

Mr. Barrett is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and the Ohio Music Education Association where he currently serves as President of OMEA District 10.

GO PANTHERS!

Jake Hunt - Director of Percussion

A native of West Virginia and graduate of Marshall University, Mr. Hunt is a percussion performer/educator and serves as the percussion coordinator for the Licking Valley Local School district. His focuses include performance health, fundamentals, and critical thinking. Mr. Hunt teaches students of all levels and ages and maintains an activer private studio. Recently, he’s performed in Jacksonville Fl, Washington D.C. Richmond VA, and many other locations.

Melissa Long - Color Guard Instructor

Mrs. Long leads the the Licking Valley color guard and winter guard programs. Mrs. Long grew up in Southeastern Ohio and is a graduate of Meadowbrook High School (Byesville, Ohio). Before joining the Licking Valley Band Staff she taught color guard at Meadowbrook High School for 4 years. During that time she also attended Ohio University Zanesville and received a degree in Nursing.  Mrs. Long worked in the nursing field for 15 years before  changing careers and is now employed with Licking Valley Local Schools and works at the elementary school.