Henley named interim director of athletic bands
By Marlon W. Morgan
Matt Henley has been named interim director of athletic bands at Western Carolina University and will lead the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band this upcoming season while a national search is underway for a permanent director.
Matt Henley has been named interim director of athletic bands.
Henley had been the assistant director of athletic bands under director Jack Eaddy Jr. who announced his departure July 5 to take a teaching position at the University of Georgia.
“We are excited and grateful that Matt is stepping into the role of interim director of athletic bands for this next season,” said George Brown, dean of the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts. “Matt’s experience, professionalism and most importantly, passion for the Long Purple Line of the Pride of the Mountains will ensure the grand traditions of POTM and the high quality of their halftime show will continue to serve our students and Catamount fans.”
Henley earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music at WCU. As the assistant director, his duties included assisting with POTM and the two “Cathouse bands,” which play at all home basketball games, and the dynamic “Purple Thunder” basketball drum line. He also teaches and arranges for the marching percussion program.
In addition to his teaching duties, he composes, arranges, adjudicates and is a prominent percussion clinician across the U.S.
