Williams Baptist University has a director for its new band program. Brady Massey, director of bands at Pocahontas High School for the past two decades, will lead the Williams band program as it launches next fall.
“It’s exciting because it’s a new program for the university and a new adventure for me. The university has really thought things through and is committed to the success of the program,” Massey said. “It’s a clean slate, and I’m excited about what we can do with it.”
Massey said recruiting is now underway for the Williams band. “It will begin as a concert band, and performances will be determined as we see the program take shape. Until it’s a full-size band, there will be performance opportunities for chamber music and for small ensembles. The plan is currently to utilize Manley Chapel as a venue,” he noted.
Massey is experienced as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for bands and competitions around the South and Southwest, and he is also a widely published composer and arranger of band music. He is the director and tour manager for the Arkansas Ambassadors of Music, a large touring ensemble, and he also worked for several years with the Delta Brigade Drum & Bugle Corps.
A Little Rock native, he holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s in music from Arkansas State University. In addition to his lengthy tenure in Pocahontas, Massey has worked with bands in Trumann, Hoxie and Jonesboro schools, as well as ASU.
“Mr. Massey has proven success, due to his tremendous ability to instruct and improve the skills of his band members. Along with professional skills and abilities, he has a very effective disposition, which will be invaluable for recruiting and attaining quality band members for the Williams Baptist University band program,” said Dr. Brad Baine, academic dean at WBU.
Massey said while he is excited about starting a new band program at the university level, he is also very appreciative of Pocahontas Schools for the years of support he has enjoyed there.
“The toughest part about deciding to take this new path was letting go of these amazing people I work with everyday. I love these kids, and I will always want them to succeed. The district is committed to finding the right fit for the next director. The PHS band will continue to grow, thrive and succeed,” he said.
Massey also noted that he is looking for musicians who want to perform at the collegiate level. He encourages all prospective students who are interested in the Williams band to let him know.
“They should simply email me at bmassey@williamsbu.edu and tell me who they are and that they’re interested,” he said. “With WBU offering such a top-notch education, and with the establishment of band scholarships, I look forward to talking to people about joining me as a new part of the Williams family.”
Massey and his wife have one daughter. The family lives in Pocahontas.
Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge. It will formally become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.