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David Starnes (Dallas, Georgia) served as the Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain High School (Georgia) from 2020-2023, prior to his retirement from a 34-year career as a music educator. He was Assistant Professor in the School of Music at Western Carolina University (North Carolina) from 2011-2020, serving as the Director of Athletic Bands, and was the founding Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School from 2000-2011.
While at Western Carolina University, the 500+ member “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band performed at Bands of America (BOA) Regional Championships in Atlanta and St. Louis, at the BOA Grand National Championships, and twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As the Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School, they were a six-time national finalist at the BOA Grand National Championships. The band was also named the 2004 BOA Class AAA National Champion and a four-time Regional Champion in BOA events. In 2005, the band appeared in the 79th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Kennesaw Mountain High School Wind Symphony performed at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2006.
Starnes is sought out nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor, and creative designer. From 2013-2018, he served as Design Advisor for Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, during which time the corps won the Drum Corps International World Championship and received the silver and bronze medals. He served as the Program Coordinator for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2022-2024. Starnes was the founding Board Chairman for United Sound, a nationally recognized music education program for students with disabilities. He served as an Education Consultant at Music for All from 1995-2021. While fulfilling this role, he served as Program Director for the Bands of America Honor Band, which appeared in the Rose Parade® in Pasadena, California, in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022. Starnes was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.