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Brian Carr is originally from Frederick, MD and received his bachelor’s degree in music education and jazz performance from West Virginia University. For the last 25 years he has taught music in Greenbrier County Public Schools, the last 20 serving as head band director at Eastern Greenbrier Middle School. Under his direction, the band has achieved consistent superior ratings at the state level, earned numerous superior ratings at various park festivals including overall middle school grand champion, and most importantly won the Esprit de Corps award three times, an award not for onstage performance, but for offstage spirit, citizenship, and leadership.
As a trombone player he has played with various ensembles and musicians including The Temptations, Ellis Marsalis, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Chicago the touring Broadway Musical, and The Coasters. He also participates in several local groups including the Shenandoah Symphony Orchestra, the West Virginia Jazz Orchestra, the Greenbrier River Brass Quintet, The Dark Matters, VPOC, and Pink Zeppelin.
In addition to performing and teaching, he has arranged music for various high school marching bands in the United States including our own Greenbrier East School, as well as college ensembles including West Virginia University’s Marching Band.
He is a member of the West Virginia Music Educator’s Association, and the West Virginia Band Master’s Association.
Birch Graves is a musician and teacher with a passion for the arts and education. He grew up in neighboring Monroe County on his family's dairy farm, where he split his time between farm chores, 4H, reading, sports, and a growing interest in playing the saxophone. At Greenbrier East High School, he plunged headlong into music, playing in the concert, wind ensemble, and jazz bands, becoming section leader and platoon leader in the marching band.
Birch studied saxophone at Guilford College and the University of NC Greensboro, receiving his BA in Music, all the while making music professionally in various groups based in North Carolina. After recording and touring around the country, he moved back to West Virginia.
It wasn't long until he found himself in the classroom, teaching elementary music and band at Mountain View School. Mr. Graves then taught at Greenbrier Episcopal School for fourteen years, teaching language arts, social studies, music, and band, and becoming lead middle school teacher. At this time he completed his MA in Secondary Education through Marshall University. As an instrumentalist, he works with the WV Jazz Orchestra, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Greenbrier Hotel, Vern's Pot of Chili, and various other musical endeavors.
Mr. Graves is happy to be entering his third year as assistant band director and guitar teacher at EGMS, working to make this music program the best possible learning experience for our community's learners.
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