Directors

Director of Bands

Mr. Waters was born in Covington Georgia and attended Newton County High School where he was an All State musician and Band Officer. His wife's' name is Kathy and he has a son Paul who is band director in Nashville. He enjoys four grandchildren: Jim, Jessica, Rachel and Jordan.

While attending M.T.S.U. he was: President of the .M.E.N.C., Historian And Vice President Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, founding member and Student leader of the Saxophone Quartet, member and soloist with Clarinet Choir, Founding member, soloist and librarian Phi Mu Alpha Stage Band, Campus School Band Director, Band librarian, Orchestra Soloist, Casavant Cavalcade staff, Camp Crescendo staff, M.T.S.U. Band Camp Staff.

Mr. Waters is a member of the M.T.S.U. Band of Blue Hall Of Fame, the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Merit and is a Sudler Shield recipient. He is a seven time Citation of Excellence recipient, and Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association. He was awarded a Presidential Citation from Ronald Reagan, an Honorary Colonel By Order Of Governor McWherter, Mt. Juliet Rotarian Man of the Year, and Wilson County Educator of the Year. He is a ten time recipient of the Outstanding Teacher award from the Tennessee School for the Arts, and a Career Level III Teacher. He has served as vice-president of the Tennessee Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators, Executive Committee member of M.T.S.B.O.A., Mid-State and as the All State Jazz Band Chairman as well as Solo and Ensemble Festival chairman. He is an active performer, adjudicator and clinician, and was selected multiple times for Who's Who in Education, Who's Who in Tennessee, and Who's Who in Music.

Mr. Waters has programmed marching shows for many High Schools across the Nation His bands have consistently received superior ratings in all phases of the music program. His bands have won national contest in marching, concert, and jazz band. Including the Bands of America regional where the were finalist in every appearance. He has played six times at the Tennessee Music Educators Conference and three times at the Governors Legislative Breakfast. They also played on the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam. This was broadcast worldwide to millions of people. Over sixty percent of his former students play an instrument after high school. Many of these students have attended major Universities and Conservatories on scholarships. Over sixty five are pursuing a life in music as teachers and performers and many more are pursuing music recreationally.

Organizations include: National Band Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, Music Educators National Conference, Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, American Federation of Musicians, National Educators Association, Tennessee Music Educators Association. John Philip Sousa Legion of Merit, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha, American School Band Directors Association and Phi Beta Mu.

Assistant Director of Bands

Susan S. Thomas

Susan S. Thomas has been the Assistant Band Director at Station Camp High School since 2004. She is also the Band Director at Knox Doss Middle School. Prior to coming to Sumner County Schools, Mrs. Thomas taught at Jere Baxter Middle School in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Mrs. Thomas is a graduate of McGavock High School in Nashville and was a member of the Nashville Youth Symphony for three years. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. At UNCG she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, University Brass Ensemble, University Horn Ensemble, and S.A. Brass Quintet. Mrs. Thomas also was the recipient of the A.J. Fletcher Music Scholarship for four years and an active leader in the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Women's Music Fraternity.

Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Middle Tennessee School Band & Orchestra Association, Tennessee Music Educators Association, MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Sumner County Educators Association, Tennessee Educators Association, and the National Educators Association.

Mrs. Thomas has served as a Rehearsal Assistant at the UNCG Summer Music Camp for five summers. She is an active musician and previously served as the horn player in Nashville's Apogean Brass Quintet. Mrs. Thomas was married in June 2008 and enjoys spending time at her home in Gallatin with her husband Justin (who is also a band director) and their two cats.